When it comes to gadgets, the market is flooded with duplicates and copycat products, especially with the worldwide market being so easily accessible via online shopping. There are times when the fakes are so well made that it’s hard to distinguish from the original. However small, the knock-offs always have some inconstancies that make them distinguishable from the original product.
1- Check the packaging
Manufacturers of counterfeit products often neglect package design. The official retailer will always take care of even the slightest details of the design and packaging of their own goods. Take a close look at the package, paying attention to the print quality: the font should be legible and consistent everywhere. Nothing should be loose inside. Manufacturers always fix their goods well so that nothing gets damaged during transportation. Even the seams and corners of the packaging film should be impeccable.
2- Look inside the user manual
The user manual is the passport of any gadget. All important information about the device must be there in the language of the country of purchase. If it’s written in some other language and you can’t read it, then it’s either a smuggled device or a brand copycat.
3- Pay attention to the material
Any material, be it plastic, rubber, or aluminium, can be high- or low-quality. Famous brands don’t save on materials. The plastic covering must be smooth, without seams or other imperfections. A closer look at a fake easily uncovers cheap plastic with matte shades and irregular surfaces.
4- Take a look at the fonts
A logo is the face of any brand, and it deserves special attention. It’s always made so as not to be tampered with: even after years of use, the logo will be easily recognizable. All fonts and symbols on the device must be smooth, readable, and durable. It’s often the case with fakes that they lack the name of the manufacturer or they have it somehow wrong.
5- Check the charger
The charger should be adapted for use in your country. If you live in Europe, there should be a special block for European sockets. If you’re asked to buy an adapter or even a separate charger, that’s a warning sign. Brand chargers won’t have seams between plastic parts of different colors, which can’t be said of fakes. Remember, brands are responsible for your safety when using their gadgets. That’s why originals always have neat metal tips and quality insulation and finishes.
6- Take a closer look at wires and plugs
Wire quality is one of the most obvious signs of a counterfeit product. In the original, a plugged-in cable will sit firmly and evenly, while in a fake you’ll see incorrect angles and loose parts. Sometimes the length of a plug doesn’t coincide with the depth of the socket. Also, pay attention to the quality of the insulation and the symbols on it. The wire should be flexible and even colored, while the markings mustn’t be erasable.
