What original iPhone headphones look like. How to distinguish original EarPods from fakes? Tips, description
My next meeting with a friend began with a question: “Volodya, yesterday I bought new ones, I lost the original ones. See if they're real or Chinese copy? Of course, I asked where exactly he bought them. The answer was convincing: “In the official Apple reseller. For 1200 rubles." Shabby iPod Classic fully armed, the miniJack is inserted and I’m ready for the “investigative experiment.”
I can't say that the EarPods that come with the last few iPhone models and iPod, their sound evokes wild delight. Yes, these are ordinary earphones that meet their price category in the range of “up to 1200 rubles”. There’s nothing supernatural about them, but when music is needed “here and now” and you can’t get around to buying good ears, EarPods are a big help.
From the very first sounds it became clear that something was clearly fishy here. And if the absence of any bass can still be forgiven, then the wheezing is high frequencies, rattling and disgusting “plastic” sound... Of course, in just a couple of hours you can kill any headphones, but these are new, just pulled out of the “branded” box. Having disappointed my friend, I immediately began to look for the answer to the question: “How to really buy real EarPods and not fall for the bait of shady Chinese industrial “copier companies”?
The boxes look completely identical: transparent plastic, a smooth white stand, neatly stacked EarPods. But don't rush to conclusions.
Considering the packaging
Before shelling out your hard-earned cash for new EarPods, take a close look at the packaging. Some Chinese fakes come in exactly the same box as the original, but they may lack Apple logo based on the box body:
My copy Chinese fake the logo didn’t disappoint, but just look at the box more closely and doubts arise as to whether these are really original apple headphones. Look carefully at the quality of the box, touch the plastic. Curiously, the original weighs 3 grams more than the copy:
The original EarPods are packaged in a box made of high-quality material. Transparent plastic has a slightly bluish tint; the Chinese copy is yellowish. The “real Chinese” plastic bends under your fingers, and on the box itself you can find a lot of burrs, snags and irregularities:
What is inside?
Let's move on. The headphones are opened, at first nothing attracts attention. The wire is really high quality, it feels like soft-touch rubberized plastic. If everything is really so, you may have in your hands good copy headphones (or, rejoice - the original). Inspect each earphone carefully. There should be no gaps or holes at its base:
The first thing that catches your eye after examining the earbuds themselves is the absence of the Left/Right designation on the Chinese copy. For EarPods, indicating L/R is especially important, since out of habit, users often confuse the left and right headphones, and then scold Apple.
Now pay attention to the grilles covering the speakers and diffuser. Often, the speaker grille may be no different from the original one, but with the diffuser everything is more complicated: the Chinese copy of EarPods is covered with a cloth grille, while the original ones have a metal mesh installed:
Another nuance that you should pay attention to: each earphone should appear “molded,” almost a solid piece of plastic and not have the characteristic protrusions and traces of industrial soldering of plastic.
Now let's turn our attention to the control panel-headset. Visually there are no differences between the original and the copy. In order to figure out which headphones are original, you need to listen to the sensations of pressing:
Pressing the original remote control is very soft and produces a characteristic soft click. When you press the remote control on copies of EarPods, you have to apply a little more effort. Compared to the original, it makes a louder clicking sound.
The main thing to consider when buying EarPods: if you want to buy truly original headphones, be prepared to consider your purchase in detail. Feel free to demand the seller to open and show the headphones. If the auditory senses can deceive, then any roughness, plastic burrs, lack of markings or suspicious packaging will immediately lead you to the trail. The number of fakes is simply huge and each “noname” manufacturer has its own identification mark of the copy.
By adhering to the tips listed above, you can insure yourself against supporting an unscrupulous Chinese manufacturer and if you really like EarPods, buy original headphones. Have a nice shopping!
Apple headphones are a very popular accessory these days that are very actively counterfeited. But it is possible to buy original headphones if you take into account the most important distinctive features real Apples.
Package
Before going to the store, it would be best to go to the official Apple website and get acquainted with appearance original headphones.
The packaging of fake Apple headphones is most often almost identical to the original. But there are times when there is no brand logo on the counterfeit box. In the photo on the left is the original, and on the right is the fake. As you can see from this angle, everything is the same.
But if you take a closer look, the differences are immediately visible. The plastic in the original is much higher quality, the seams on the box are neater, and in real headphones they are almost invisible. If you look from the side, the original plastic has a blue tint, while the fake plastic has a yellow tint. On a low-quality fake you will see a large number of snags, unevenness and other imperfections.
Headphones
Examine the headphones themselves very carefully. The wire in real Apples is made of high quality rubberized plastic. These headphones are very elastic and strong. Counterfeits often use ordinary wire, which quickly becomes unusable. There should be no gaps or holes where the wire is attached to the earphone.
Fake headphones almost always lack markings for the left and right ears. The original must have these markings, as this is very important for the sound quality. In the photo on the left real apples, and on the right are fake.
Take a close look at the speaker grilles. The photo clearly shows the difference between the original and the fake. In real headphones, this grille is smaller and neater. In copies, it may be uneven and made of low-quality material.
Also very important point– real Apple headphones at first glance seem solid, the seams on them are not noticeable. But in a fake you will immediately see the seams at first glance, and they are quite uneven and there may be rough, sloppy protrusions on them.
The next thing you should pay attention to is the sound control panel. When you press the original remote control, you will feel a soft dull click, but with a fake it will be a loud click. In real headphones, the button is pressed more softly.
Considering all these main points, you can easily choose original headphones from the global Apple brand. All you need is attentiveness and a little time.
If you are guided by differences in sound, then in the case of a high-quality fake, they may not exist. But fake headphones will last you much less time than real ones.
The products of one of the most popular gadget manufacturers - the Apple brand - have long been shamelessly counterfeited by nameless Chinese companies. Users buy high-quality headphones of the Earods model so often that fake makers make good money from counterfeit goods.
The main rule when buying is to buy at a realistic price for the product from reliable sellers. If you want to save onEarPods - how to distinguish original from fake? – becomes the most important question.
Many unpleasant surprises await music lovers, so consider in detail all the details of the difference between the fake and the original.
Package
The box with the gadget is very neat with exact sockets for parts of the headphones and is copied quite well; copyists even now place the logo on the back of the package. But there are subtleties that will tell youhow to distinguish “Iarpods” from a fake:
- In the original design, the plastic of the box is absolutely smooth and slightly bluish. The Chinese copy has a tint of yellow in the color of the packaging, and the surface is slightly rough, with burrs noticeable to the touch.
- The color of the original capsule exactly matches the shade of the plastic of the headset. This almost never occurs with a counterfeit version - the packaging is made separately from the product, and the low cost of assembly materials does not allow an exact match to be achieved. The polished back of the real packaging has a slight shine, while the fake version has a matte finish.
- On the bottom of the original box, the embossed logo is clearer, with a sharply defined edge. The image depth of a fake is not precisely maintained, and the edges of the print are usually blurred - this is noticeable when visual inspection and to the touch.
- The lid of the original packaging can be easily removed, while on the replica it falls off or is difficult to open.
- When pressed, the fake plastic bends noticeably.
Case build quality
How to distinguish original EarPods from fakesis always clear upon careful inspection of the main parts of the headset. The molded plastic headphone housing should not have any gaps, dents or cracks. The quality of the stamping of the Chinese copy does not exclude defects: they are clearly visible on the bend and at the base of the case. At the connection points with the cord, the elastic plug of the original fits more tightly, while the fake one noticeably moves away.
Chinese replicas do not have left-right markings on the headphones L/R (Left/Right) . This is a significant note - the sound quality changes with a change in position.
The diffuser holes on the replica are covered with textured fabric; the original uses a thin perforated metal mesh. This can often be observed on the microphone. Expensive materials and equipment are not available to manufacturers of cheap fakes. This is clearly visible upon careful visual inspection. The diffuser holes themselves on the headphones are absolutely symmetrical, but on the copy they are offset.
If it is possible to compare a genuine earphone with an alleged copy, then you need to pay attention to the difference in shape: the counterfeit version is slightly narrowed towards the microphone and slightly elongated - this is noticeable.
Wires
In authentic headphones, the wires are elastic and flexible, very smooth to the touch - the high-quality rubber shell has no defects. They are also thicker and more rigid than fake ones, properties that reduce curling, tangling and breakage. Both original headphones have exactly the same length.
The wire must be marked - at a distance of 20 cm from the plug there is an inscription: Designed by Apple in California Assembled in China. Nearby is indicated serial number. The font of the inscription is clear and even, there should be no errors.
The fact that the assembly was carried out at a factory located in China should not be confusing: a significant part of the brand’s production is located in Asia.
Remote Control
Housing and connection of remote control parts – weakness the most diligent copyists. There should be no gaps between the parts - they fit well on a genuine gadget and have a completely smooth shape. The remote control has an image of a microphone - very clear in the original. If counterfeit manufacturers do not forget to make this sign, it will be pale and blurry compared to the original.
Functional control buttons - an important point in inspectionEarPods. How to spot a fake becomes clear when turned on and configured. The buttons are easy to press with a noticeable but barely audible click. The copy adjustments are tight, require effort when pressed, and there is a loud sound when switching. Very cheap fakes sometimes manage to be produced with an imitation remote control - no buttons at all or with decorative toggle switches that do not switch anything.
Sound quality
The main purpose of purchasing original EarPods is to listen to music tracks in good quality. A counterfeit version can only give poor sound, at best it will be unimportant, and the headphones will not last long. If you have the slightest doubt about the authenticity of the device, you should ask for the opportunity to listen before paying even the smallest amount.
If you already had real EarPods, then it’s easy to distinguish a fake by its sound. The best remark conveys faint sound with blurry upper and especially lower registers. The noise reduction system is simply missing. The sound strength most likely will not be adjusted. You can’t even dream about the volume – and all this will immediately become apparent during a short test.
Price issue
If the Internet or store offers to buy EarPods at half price, this is definitely a Chinese copy. Used ones on an online platform can be much cheaper; you can buy them with full confidence that determining authenticity is not a problem.
Where to buy
Only in specialized electronics stores that provide a guarantee when selling branded goods.
I have long wanted to write a review on this topic, but the availability of only original headphones from iPhone kit 5 and the lack of a fake on hand did not give me such an opportunity. On one of the forums, I noticed a similar comparison and asked the author for permission to post his note on our blog. He kindly agreed, for which many thanks to him.
The review will be presented without edits or comments, only citations. If you have any additions or comments, please write, I will definitely take them into account.
So:
“I would like to shed some light on the topic of fakes and original earpods.
I have two headsets. One is original and the other is fake.
After all, everyone who wants to buy a headset from Apple wants to be sure that the headset is original.
The fake headset was purchased for 100 UAH (400 rubles), the original one was purchased for 450 UAH (2000 rubles).
We start with an external examination.
The plastic boxes are completely identical, with apples and earpods written all over them.
In both boxes the headsets fit equally tightly and do not fall out or rattle.
It's almost impossible to tell from the boxes
(on a fake, the paper box is a little worse made and the printing is a little fainter.
But this is only visible if you hold two boxes side by side).
We examine the headphones.
All holes are identical and cannot be distinguished by them.
On my copy of the fake, on both headphones in the main hole you can see through the mesh that the internal holes are slightly offset relative to the main hole. On the original everything is exactly the same.
The joints on the fake are more obvious, while the original ones are less noticeable.
We examine the remote control.
On a fake, the longitudinal gap between the two halves is uneven in length and has a wedge shape.
The minus key and the middle button are pressed clearly and click loudly and clearly. The "plus" key is pressed indistinctly and does not click (it works normally).
On the original, the gap between the halves of the remote control is even in length and the keys click much quieter and softer.
We pay attention to the overall quality of workmanship.
The rubber tubes that are installed wherever the wire enters the plastic parts on the fake have a fray at the edges.
There is no flash on the original.
The color of the wire and plastic parts is almost the same.
A fake headset sometimes does not respond to remote control presses.
If you twist the jack a little in the socket it starts to work.
I didn't notice this on the original.
The sound on the fake one is worse.
A separate question is whether the original headphones are worth the money they ask for from us?
They suit me perfectly because of the remote control, which is very necessary when listening to audiobooks in a foreign language.
It is not always possible to understand everything that is being read, so there is a need to rewind and listen again.
This eliminates the need to take the phone out of your pocket and make a bunch of unnecessary movements in crowded public transport.
Actually, both headsets are equally suitable for listening to audiobooks; the difference is either insignificant or not detected by me.
When listening to music the difference is very noticeable.
Conclusions: you can confidently distinguish a fake only after careful inspection and listening.
It is impossible to do this when purchasing from a photo. external features identical.
Be careful when purchasing. All the recommendations that I found on the Internet do not make it possible to distinguish the original from the fake. Except for listening.
“You can add information about operating experience.
The original headset, forgotten in a shirt pocket, was washed with a spin cycle, and despite this continues to serve properly.
Fake despite the fact that it has been used very little, it constantly glitches, the buttons on the remote control do not work or the sound disappears.
The original has been used for slaughter for more than 2 months and does not have any flaws."
Anything is possible.
One day we went and bought fake EarPods.
They were found in an underground passage in an unremarkable Russian outback. They cost about 300 rubles, in stock different colors for any requests of street fashionistas.
Auntie sold them to us without a twinge of conscience - most likely, she didn’t even know that it was a fake. But it may happen differently - on eBay, many sellers pass off fake EarPods as original ones, and some small online stores do the same.
Sometimes fake EarPods are included with those sold with iPhone hands. Keep the normal, supplied headphones for yourself. Be carefull!
In this article we will tell you how to distinguish fake EarPods from original ones. If you want quality, buy only from official sellers with a guarantee.
1 package
Original: Neat box without any defects. If you shine light on the logo, a uniformly illuminated area is formed around it due to High Quality surface treatment. No gaps, no dots. There is a company logo - when purchasing, check our photo, this is the only design option.
Fake: Like a fake. The bases of the supporting pins are visible in the light. The logo is poorly executed or missing. Illumination is uneven. The surface quality is low - there are traces of flash and roughness. Most likely, it was opened - without polyethylene.
2. Quality of plastic and inscriptions
Original: Perfect finishing of all edges. The joints are almost invisible, you can barely feel them. There are no roughnesses, the gloss is even in the light. After all, this is Apple - everything should be “Amazing”!
Fake: Quality is a C grade. Manufacturing defects are present in all their glory: the joints are high, the gloss has dimples in the light (including the packaging itself). Crooked font of headphone letters (left/right), smeared or torn off with fingernails.
3. Bass reflex
Original: If you include a good composition, rich low frequencies, drums and bass guitar – air shocks are felt. Thanks to this, the sound of the headphones becomes richer, and excess pressure is removed from the ear canal.
Fake: They play a purely decorative role - just holes. Of course, the sound suffers. If you cover them with your finger, nothing changes - a good sign that this is a fake.
4. Cable
Original: EarPods have almost the best wire among all produced models in-ear headphones. Soft, matte - dirt does not remain on it for a long time. He does not tangle or break. Even at minus 20 it does not lose flexibility. There is the inscription “Designed by Apple”.
Fake: Conventional insulation is of medium quality - often glossy and smooth. Dyed with clothes. Being brittle, it has a clear memory - just as it was folded, the creases will remain. It gets dull in the cold.
5. Quality of speaker grilles
Original: dark, not shiny. Dense, not translucent - a consequence of protection from sweat and dirt. When cleaning they do not sag (in general, Apple EarPods– the most comfortable and easy to clean headphones).
Fake: The mesh is dark blue, shiny, and can be translucent. Try to pick it with your finger, if it bends or moves, it’s really a fake, and of the lowest quality. Some also have fabric mesh.
6. Sound
Original: There is no predominance of certain ranges here - the frequency response is almost flat, the sound is calm. There aren't enough stars in the sky, but it really gives a lot good sound for in-ear headphones. There is even bass, albeit light and airy.
Fake: The best fake is the one that works. The headphones in the photo are already the second, the first ones had to be returned to the underground passage. One of the headphones may also not work.
If everything is in order, then the sound will still be disgusting, like the black plastic earbuds for 30 rubles that are sold at newsstands. All frequencies are absent, except for the remnants of high ones. Just nothing.
The verdict is obvious: a fake in the firebox
Only a fool would deliberately buy non-original EarPods. Take a completely different model of headphones if you don’t have enough for real ones.
And if someone deceived you and slipped you a fake under the guise of an original, find him and punish.
Never, ever buy counterfeits of these headphones. If you bought it, don't be offended by what you hear worst sound In my life. And yes, one last thing: EarPods are only available white and only in the same shape as in the photo.