Buzz
Additionally, tips to avoid falling victim to scams in the future
AirPods Max are often regarded as the top wireless headphones for Apple fans, with a rich set of advanced features that work seamlessly with iOS and macOS. However, their high cost also makes them a prime target for counterfeiters. Buyers should be cautious, as scammers frequently sell near-perfect fakes at prices equal to genuine products. To make sure you’re purchasing the real deal, it's important to know how to differentiate between authentic AirPods Max and fakes before you buy.
How to Effectively Spot Fake AirPods Max
To confirm your AirPods' authenticity, check the serial number located on the underside of each earbud. Both earbuds should have matching serial numbers. Visit Apple's Check Coverage page, enter the serial number, and verify the results.
Steps to Follow
How to Identify Counterfeit AirPods Max
Verify the serial number using Apple's Coverage Website. You can find the serial number of your AirPods Max on the box or on the inside of each AirPod. To check the serial number, visit Apple's Check Coverage page and input the serial number. This will show if your AirPods Max are authentic and under warranty.
- Genuine: Apple can verify the purchase date, warranty status, and benefits of your purchase.
- Counterfeit: No results will appear.
- Inspect the packaging description as well. Some users report that counterfeit products had valid serial numbers, which had been stolen. As a result, the product description or warranty details did not match the actual item.
Counterfeit AirPods may have poor or subpar packaging. Authentic Apple product packaging is known for its premium print quality, sharp text, and a precise, secure fit. On the other hand, a counterfeit AirPods Max box might display blurry text, misaligned graphics, a loose fit, and even missing or incorrect words. Genuine AirPods Max boxes must be labeled with “AirPods Max” on the side.
- Additionally, check the headphones for any obvious defects such as misaligned seams, uneven stitching, or cheap-feeling materials. Compare the physical product with official Apple images and descriptions to spot any inconsistencies.
Test the buttons for a solid, premium feel. One of the best ways to differentiate real AirPods Max headphones is by the feel and function of the buttons. Genuine AirPods Max feature metal pairing buttons that offer a smooth, solid click without any audible sound when pressed. In contrast, fake versions often have buttons that are noisy, stiff, and feel cheap with limited button travel.
Authentic AirPods Max will have a small hole in the speaker housing. When you remove the magnetic ear cushion from your headphones, you will find a small hole at the top of the speaker housing, along with flush-mounted screws securing the housing. This hole allows for easy detachment of the headband.
- Genuine headbands are built to last, with metal ends, while counterfeit ones may break easily.
- Counterfeit versions may have flush-mounted screws, but they typically require a larger screwdriver to remove, and there is often no access hole for headband detachment.
- The speaker housing inside should feature thick, clear lettering indicating left and right speakers. Counterfeit AirPods often have thin, illegible letters. Additionally, fake versions may have sound diffuser holes that are placed too close to each other, while genuine ones have a wider distance between them.
Ensure the charging port LED is flush with the surface. On counterfeit units, the material around the charging ports is often distorted, which affects how the light is directed, especially when the ear cup is made of plastic rather than metal. Fake units often feature an LED indicator that is either recessed or protrudes, whereas genuine models have the LED flush with the surface.
Authentic AirPods Max have metal speaker housings. Genuine AirPods Max usually feature metal housings, while counterfeit ones tend to have plastic bodies. One of the simplest ways to spot a fake is by the presence of plastic components. On authentic AirPods Max, all shiny parts are made from metal, which feels cool to the touch.
- Plastic parts on counterfeits are more fragile. Additionally, real AirPods Max headbands are made from flexible plastic that should never snap. If the headband breaks, it’s a clear sign that the product isn’t genuine.
The authentic AirPods Max typically costs around $550. Counterfeit models are often sold at a much lower price, sometimes as low as $250, on third-party marketplaces such as Facebook, Temu, and AliExpress.
What to Do If You End Up with Fake AirPods Max
Contact the seller for a return or refund. If you’ve bought a pair of fake AirPods Max, they were likely not purchased from Apple. You’ll need to reach out to the seller and request a return for a refund. If the seller doesn’t respond, contact the marketplace or website where you made the purchase. For example, if you bought them through eBay, you should contact eBay to explain the situation.
- If the marketplace can’t assist, contact your bank. While the process may vary between banks, initiating a claim for a counterfeit product usually prompts action to recover your money.
How to Avoid Purchasing Fake AirPods Max Headphones
The most reliable way to avoid buying counterfeit AirPods Max is to purchase them directly from Apple. There are numerous counterfeit AirPods models circulating, and many of them are alarmingly convincing. Although the price of authentic Apple products may be significantly higher, buying directly from Apple is the only way to ensure the product is genuine.
- If you opt to buy from a third-party seller, make sure to carefully check reviews, request proof of the serial number before making the purchase, and always remember: if the deal seems too good to be true, it probably is.
- Many users on platforms like Youtube and Reddit have shared their frustrations with fake AirPods Max, warning that they are a common issue in third-party marketplaces. Some users report thinking they were getting an amazing deal on websites like eBay, only to discover the product was a counterfeit.
