samuelcarreira

Q: Can you check if my earpods are genuine (with photos)

Hi, I just bought a pair of new earpods to replace my old ones from an eBay seller (with a store on Jersey Islands www.onago.com). On the invoice, it says that is a genuine Apple product, and I paid for a genuine product.

When I opened the package I was surprised by the difference on the cable quality. The cable is thinner and with a different material finish (more plastic and less rubberized texture). After that, I started to compare the two earpods and I found a lot of differences.

My doubt is: Apple produced a new "version" of the earpods with some differences or I bought a high quality replica product?

 

IMG_2604.JPG

Differences in cable thickness

 

 

IMG_2607.JPG

 

SAM_0743.JPG

 

SAM_0750.JPG

The grid/mesh pattern is different!

 

SAM_0751.JPG

On the case, the engraved Apple logo was different depths (on the new earpods the depth is 0.1mm vs 0.2mm on the older/genuine ones)

 

 

Can you confirm these informations? I just opened an eBay case to ask for clarifications.

earpods

Posted on Aug 3, 2016 5:04 PM

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Q: Can you check if my earpods are genuine (with photos)

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  • Helpful answers

  • by ckuan,

    ckuan ckuan Aug 3, 2016 5:09 PM in response to samuelcarreira
    Level 7 (33,190 points)
    Aug 3, 2016 5:09 PM in response to samuelcarreira

    Hard to tell just from photos. I suspect it's a clone.

    Make a genius bar appointment with Apple for an evaluation.

  • by ChrisJ4203,

    ChrisJ4203 ChrisJ4203 Aug 3, 2016 5:19 PM in response to samuelcarreira
    Level 9 (56,998 points)
    iPhone
    Aug 3, 2016 5:19 PM in response to samuelcarreira

    The newer earpods have a manufacture and serial number information on the cable, in gray, just a few inches above the plug. It is a light gray in color, and should be visible under a strong light.

     

    EDIT:

    This was really difficult to get, and I apologize for the quality of the photo, but it was hard to do by myself and hold that cord!  See the writing?

     

    IMG_5575.JPG

  • by samuelcarreira,

    samuelcarreira samuelcarreira Aug 4, 2016 2:20 AM in response to samuelcarreira
    Level 1 (8 points)
    iPhone
    Aug 4, 2016 2:20 AM in response to samuelcarreira

    Thank you very much ChrisJ4203 and ckuan,

     

    My older/genuine earpods have the following information printed on the cable

    Designed by Apple in California Assembled in Vietnam DV*******7R5

     

    The suspicious one:

    SAM_0759.JPG

    Designed by Apple in California Assembled in China DT******010


    This website https://checkcoverage.apple.com/ don't cover earpods category, so I cannot check the validity of this number

    And it's now impossible for me to go to an Apple Store…

     

    <Personal Information Edited by Host>

  • by samuelcarreira,

    samuelcarreira samuelcarreira Aug 4, 2016 3:54 AM in response to samuelcarreira
    Level 1 (8 points)
    iPhone
    Aug 4, 2016 3:54 AM in response to samuelcarreira

    After I saw this video https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R2R_cJOFmbk (from a Brazilian YouTuber) I was more convinced that the serial number don't proof that my earpods are genuine and all the details point to a high-quality replica.

    It's hard to check for visual differences on the earpods (some are more perceptive to touch), but it's easy to see differences in the case. I will post some photos so it can help other people with the same problem

    SAM_0767.JPG

     

    SAM_0771.JPG

     

    See how the plastic mold didn't have the same finish quality, and there are more "hard edges" on the places where the cable will contact (sorry for my English).

     

    After that, I am almost 100% convinced that they sell me a counterfeit product
    Luckily I have a genuine product to made the comparisons.

  • by ChrisJ4203,Apple recommended

    ChrisJ4203 ChrisJ4203 Aug 4, 2016 7:17 AM in response to samuelcarreira
    Level 9 (56,998 points)
    iPhone
    Aug 4, 2016 7:17 AM in response to samuelcarreira

    You're welcome. The best way to ensure the receipt of genuine Apple products is to purchase them from Apple or an authorized Apple reseller. Have a nice day.

  • by samuelcarreira,

    samuelcarreira samuelcarreira Aug 4, 2016 7:23 AM in response to ChrisJ4203
    Level 1 (8 points)
    iPhone
    Aug 4, 2016 7:23 AM in response to ChrisJ4203

    The main problem is the price, on Apple store, it costs 29 € (which is a lot of money for a pair of earphones when I live), and I paid only half of the price. In 2013 I bought a genuine one from an eBay seller ( username: amobiles1 ) it cost me 15 € and they are 100% genuine. Now I didn't have the same fortune with the new seller


    A nice day for you too!

  • by ckuan,

    ckuan ckuan Aug 4, 2016 7:28 AM in response to samuelcarreira
    Level 7 (33,190 points)
    Aug 4, 2016 7:28 AM in response to samuelcarreira

    Well, if you buy an Apple product but not from Apple or authorised by Apple, you are taking chances.

    Apple do not sell products or parts to some 3rd parties.