Apple battery replacement - Genuine or Knockoff?

Question

Level 1

1 points

Apple battery replacement - Genuine or Knockoff?

I received two days ago an Apple battery for my MBP late 2008 that I bought from a top rated seller at eBay. The description of the item advertised a genuine Apple Macbook / Macbook pro 15" A1286 battery, and indeed it looks like a genuine Apple battery, but when I plugged the battery I found the following two issues:

- The battery cycle count was 4 instead of 0.

- The serial number printed in the back of the battery (W010220AJ6G1A) does not match the one reported by Apple's System Information application:

Battery Information:

Model Information:

Serial Number: 6N9030A6X2VLA

Manufacturer: SMP

Device Name: bq20z951

Pack Lot Code: 0

PCB Lot Code: 0

Firmware Version: 002a

Hardware Revision: 000a

Cell Revision: 100

Charge Information:

Charge Remaining (mAh): 4775

Fully Charged: Yes

Charging: No

Full Charge Capacity (mAh): 4775

Health Information:

Cycle Count: 4

Condition: Normal

Battery Installed: Yes

Amperage (mA): 174

Voltage (mV): 12569

I have sent him a message asking for an explanation and got the following response:

We purchase direct from factories OEM. They are tested to make sure working ok. They are not registered on the Apple network. Please use the battery and if you find it not performing as it should then it has a 6 month warranty so it can be returned anytime in that period.

From his reply, I understand that he is using Apple's trademarks for selling knockoffs batteries, so I replied to him with the following hoping I'll be able to get a refund:

The replacement batteries sold by Apple and its registered resellers are brand new and are delivered with ZERO cycles count, and the serial printed in the back of the battery must match the one reported by Apple's System Information application.

If you don't buy them from Apple then they are not Genuine Apple Batteries. You must neither use APPLE's trademarks nor advertise them as GENUINE APPLE BATTERIES!. You are selling KNOCKOFFS batteries at PREMIUM PRICE, and you are liable for counterfeit imports.

I am going to proceed to return the item and request you to refund the money.

Could someone confirm my statement above (in red color)?

TIA.

Posted on Jul 17, 2012 4:40 PM

Reply

Answer 1

Shootist007

Level 6

16,709 points

Jul 17, 2012 6:41 PM in response to sofianito

IMHO there is something fishy with every major seller on ebay.

I sell on ebay sometimes, if I have something to sell. But when I'm looking for something to buy, unless it is a older hard to find item, ebay is the last place I go.

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Answer 2

Shootist007

Level 6

16,709 points

Jul 17, 2012 4:59 PM in response to sofianito

SMP is the current Apple Mac battery supplier. The battery in my late 2011 model is a SMP battery.

Could be the manufacturer got an order for X number of batteries from Apple. Their manufacturing process runs smoother when they produce Y number of batteries. So they have V number of batteries leftover from the Apple order, that has the Apple logo on them, so they sell them to third party suppliers.

Nothing new with that. Happens all the time.

Send it back and buy one from an Apple store.

Have no idea on the RED statement.

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Answer 3

sofianito Author

Level 1

1 points

Jul 17, 2012 5:09 PM in response to Shootist007

Thanks for your reply.

Someone just confirmed to me that serial on his genuine Apple battery matches the one reported by System Information application. I am ****** of because I payed a premium price for a knockoff battery...

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Answer 4

Shootist007

Level 6

16,709 points

Jul 17, 2012 5:14 PM in response to sofianito

Well if it is made by SMP it is NOT a knockoff battery. It is made by the same company that is the Current Apple battery supplier.

I'd use it and see if it works OK. If not then send it back.

EDIT:

As to the cycle count that could of happened by either the seller or manufacturer testing the battery. Apple may have a way to Reset the battery count before they are sold to the general public. Do know, Not sure, just a thought.

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Answer 5

sofianito Author

Level 1

1 points

Jul 17, 2012 5:44 PM in response to Shootist007

If SMP manufactures more batteries than what Apple ordered and sell them in a parallel market, then it seems to me as a counterfeit or fraud for using illegally Apple's trademarks and selling batteries without warranties since Apple won't cover them in case of defect...

It could also be manufactured by another underground chinese company who flashed SMP as the manufacturer name...

Also, Apples offers a one year warranty for a replacement battery while the UK based eBay seller offers 6 months. I think I am going to send it back for my own sake...

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Answer 6

Shootist007

Level 6

16,709 points

Jul 17, 2012 5:55 PM in response to sofianito

That may be completely true. I do not know what Deal SMP struck with Apple as to older style batteries. Your system is 4 years old. How many people are still using a 4 year old Mac? How many of them are in the market for a new battery for their 4 year old Mac?

SMP can't just make X number of batteries, to be cost efficient. For them to setup a production line to make those batteries cost money. That cost is spread over the number of unit produced. If Apple didn't order enough to keep the cost within their price point they may have said OK how about you make Z number of batteries, give us the X number we ordered and you do whatever you want with the rest.

What I really do not understand is why you are making such a big deal out of it. Send it back and pay more for the same battery from an Apple store.

What you want to Sue the seller? Good Luck.

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Answer 7

sofianito Author

Level 1

1 points

Jul 17, 2012 6:38 PM in response to Shootist007

Well, knowing that the batteries last in 2 or 3 years, Apple makes a lot of money selling replacements, and I can tell you there are quite a lot of people with a 4 or 5 years old Macbook. Knowing Apple's prices, not everybody can afford renewing his laptop every 3 years.

No big deal, but there is something fishy with the seller... I'll return the battery, pay more Apple 😉 for a replacement, but would sleep in peace.

Thanks for your time.

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Answer 8

rdsvs

Level 2

160 points

Jul 17, 2012 7:29 PM in response to sofianito

4775 MaH that is low.

my macbook pro battery was 5600Mah when it was new

or was it 6500mAh

i dont trust ebay, its hard to hold the seller for a refund.

i would buy from OWC or brick and mortar store in your town.

its a bit more but much less than apple store. but you can refund it in person instead of waiting and spending shipping fee.

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Answer 9

Oct 15, 2017 6:22 PM in response to Shootist007

I know this is an old 2012 thread, but I just bought a new battery for my early 2008 MBP and the year is 2017. So not everyone can afford to replace their Apple laptops as often as you think, and so have to replace the batteries. Mine was purchased in late 2008 or 2009, as a clearance, so it is 8 years old, now.

My most recent battery is from an AppleCare replacement, and is manufactured by SMP, and labeled Apple. Apple no longer stocks this battery so I bought a NewerTech or NuPower battery. CoconutBattery.app show the manufacture as NewerTech, and labeled as such. I had to cycle the battery once and it currently shows 2 cycles, with about a 4 month old manufacture date. The first one they sent apparently was defective, and they replaced it.

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Answer 10

Nov 19, 2017 6:53 PM in response to MacinNW_Brent

I just bought a battery for my late 2008 MBP...and yes its 2017. I bought my battery from CTC world supply on Amazon. It also says the battery is manufactured by SMP. Fit nice, charging well. The MBP is my secondary computer and agree, not everyone can or wants to buy a new computer. This thing does what it needs to do.

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