While buying gadgets, you just have no guarantee and no proof of what’s good, what’s bad and what’s just plain fake. The one sure-shot way of reassuring yourself is buying the sealed box and ensuring that the seal is original. that ways, you have atleast some faith in the product you have purchased. Checking the hologram or the seal is generally one and the only test that is conducted. In most smartphone boxes, the tape with which the box is sealed comes with a hologram on top or once opened, the tape cannot be sealed again. This makes it relatively easy to determine in case of any tampering.
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But then, what if the seal itself can be tampered with? The iPhone generally comes packed in a box with a tight plastic cling wrap on it. The cling is pretty tight and well sealed making it easy to spot if the box has been tampered with or not. For iPhone buyers, since they buy from trusted sources online, there’s little doubt of the product being non-authentic. Also, the phone is generally registered online so they do not really fear anything as if it’s not authentic, then there’ll surely be bells ringing while trying to register the phone. But then, turns out, selling you iPhones which aren’t exactly new isn’t as difficult either. All that’s needed is a good box and some plastic!
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The second hand or refurbished iPhones are generally cleaned perfectly and then a thin scratch-guard pasted on them. The box is then fitted with accessories (not original too, we bet) and after placing everything properly, the iPhone is positioned and the box is sealed. Then comes the most important step – placing stickers on the box to make it look authentic. Stickers with the Apple font and text are created and pasted exactly like they’re present on the original Apple products so you do not doubt a thing. Finally, comes the last and the most important part – that of sealing the box. Nothing a but of plastic can’t solve!
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So there, that’s how you get sold fake iPhones. Don’t believe us? Check out this video!
Shocked? And now wondering as to how you can protect yourself? Simple! All you need to do it verify the IMEI number shown in your iPhone with that on the label on the box. Though the sellers might remake the label, we doubt they would go to an extent of duplicating the number from the refurbished iPhone. If they do, then well, you’re just one unlucky person aren’t you?