items that apple cerfify

AirPods are made by Apple, they don't need to certify them, since they make them themselves.

AirPods do not cost 27 dollars anywhere. Are you sure they were actual AirPods? AirPods is an Apple trademark. Other Bluetooth headphones may be compatible and certified by Apple as working with their devices, but would not be actual AirPods and could not be labeled or called AirPods.

Apple certifies items not made by them that comply with their quality and regulatory expectations and have been found to work with Apple devices.

Apple has the MFi (Made For iPhone) certification program for 3rd party devices. Which means they have passed Apple's quality tests and work with iPhone's and other Apple devices.

click here ➜ https://mfi.apple.com/

Can you post a picture of the AirPods your friend bought?

I agree with Idris.

They may be knockoffs, they may be real. No way to know, and it this point kind of irrelevant.

You either trust them, and use them, or return them if possible.

Were they used AirPods and not brand new in box? That may be the reason they were $27.

Otherwise, it's very likely a good looking knockoff. Wether they work or not, will be something you will need to find out.

Apple does not appear to be selling Apple-Certified Refurbished AirPods on its website. That would lead me to believe this is some sort of scam.

https://www.apple.com/shop/refurbished

You're going to need to decide if you trust the seller or not.

Also, see the behave the way they are supposed to according to these instructions:

Connect your AirPods and AirPods Pro to your iPhone - Apple Support

They look fine to me. Where did two say they were certified by Apple?

All it says, was they were designed by Apple in California, which is the normal text that should be there.

Nothing in those pictures says "Certified by Apple".

They look fine to me.