Fake Airpods Pro 2?

[Kottu]

It's common that people sell their gadgets through FB. I came across a APP2 yesterday. Seller said that he got it as present and he is selling as it doesn't fit properly for him. I told him that I can have a look, if it is original, I will pay the $150 he asks for. I called Apple and confirmed the serial number.
To be true, it looked genuine to me. I could pair without any problems to my iPhone, it showed all the meny options, even the guarantee period! could test the ear tips test without any problem. I have seen in a YT video that the fake ones activates noice cancelling even if they are not in your ear, the pair I came across showed just like original APP, asked me to insert in ears to activate noice cancelling. When I put in my ears, I could see the difference. No ANC or transparent mode. I could change the settings, could hear the tone but there were no changes in the modes. It felt like having a pair of in ear headphones without ANC or other features.
The seller claims that they are original. I told him to take them to Apple service center.

It's unbelievable how perfectly Chinese companies can fake popular products.

 

[ISKOTB]

It's common that people sell their gadgets through FB. I came across a APP2 yesterday. Seller said that he got it as present and he is selling as it doesn't fit properly for him. I told him that I can have a look, if it is original, I will pay the $150 he asks for. I called Apple and confirmed the serial number.
To be true, it looked genuine to me. I could pair without any problems to my iPhone, it showed all the meny options, even the guarantee period! could test the ear tips test without any problem. I have seen in a YT video that the fake ones activates noice cancelling even if they are not in your ear, the pair I came across showed just like original APP, asked me to insert in ears to activate noice cancelling. When I put in my ears, I could see the difference. No ANC or transparent mode. I could change the settings, could hear the tone but there were no changes in the modes. It felt like having a pair of in ear headphones without ANC or other features.
The seller claims that they are original. I told him to take them to Apple service center.

It's unbelievable how perfectly Chinese companies can fake popular products.

I just got one off Ebay and it is going back to the seller again : (

 

[AppleEnthusiast1995]

I had a pair that I got for christmas from my wife and it was in a sealed box from Best Buy. The left airpod was failing to automatically connect. It listed as a model a2618, which did not match the sticker on the box. When we went to return them the employee said that they couldn't initate a return since the serial number didnt match the order serial number. Luckily they straightened it out with a new set that has all matching components.

Not sure how this occured but I'll be purchasing direct from Apple from now on. I guess you get what you pay for. Third party vendors seem to be a bit of a gamble lately.

 

[ISKOTB]

I had a pair that I got for christmas from my wife and it was in a sealed box from Best Buy. The left airpod was failing to automatically connect. It listed as a model a2618, which did not match the sticker on the box. When we went to return them the employee said that they couldn't initate a return since the serial number didnt match the order serial number. Luckily they straightened it out with a new set that has all matching components.

Not sure how this occured but I'll be purchasing direct from Apple from now on. I guess you get what you pay for. Third party vendors seem to be a bit of a gamble lately.

I got a PERFECT FAKE one off Ebay. I am glad they are going back tomorrow.

 

[Kottu]

I searched for Airpods pro 2 in FB marketplace. In Sweden it costs around $310-330 in normal shops. But I could find a lot in FB for around $120. So, a large shipment of fake Airpods are in circulation. Why Apple, one of the richest companies in the world can't find a way to alert customers if their phones are connected to 'rotten Apples'?

 

[Shanghaichica]

I just wouldn't risk buying any AirPods from Facebook or eBay. Basically form a non reputable source. There are too many fakes out there. I did buy the very first gen AirPods from eBay but this was only about 2 weeks after the first launched so nobody had gotten the chance to make fakes yet. I bought them from eBay because they were sold out everywhere when they were first new and paid about £50 more than the retail price.

 

[Ludatyk]

I searched for Airpods pro 2 in FB marketplace. In Sweden it costs around $310-330 in normal shops. But I could find a lot in FB for around $120. So, a large shipment of fake Airpods are in circulation. Why Apple, one of the richest companies in the world can't find a way to alert customers if their phones are connected to 'rotten Apples'?

There are plenty of articles detailing Apple fighting against counterfeits... they have poured in a lot of resources to push back on people selling counterfeits.

Fake AirPods are a $3.2 billion 'problem' for Apple, here's why - Times of India

Apple AirPods are amongst the most popular true wireless earbuds in the world. Every year Apple sells them to millions of people and continues to rake

timesofindia.indiatimes.com

According to the article, they have confiscated AirPods... but when there is so many in the wild it's only so much they can control. If anything, as @Shanghaichica suggested... in the end it's up to the consumer. Buy from a reputable source (not Facebook or eBay).

 

[fdw777]

Add me to the list of being duped scammed by a perfect looking NEW in box sealed APP1 for $80. They were hissing so I took to my local Apple store and they confirmed FAKE. Serial number even matched Apple to confirm the warranty period. Was told by the Apple technician that they were the perfect FAKE. Bought them from a local person off OfferUp, my plan is to file a police report. Apple gave me a letter (work order) identifying them by serial number and saying they were NOT Apple authentic product. Im sure I won't get my money back but maybe I can help someone else not get scammed.

P.S. While at the Apple store I picked up the APP2....What I should have done in the first place (my wife warned me😉)

 

[doodads]

Add me to the list of being duped scammed by a perfect looking NEW in box sealed APP1 for $80. They were hissing so I took to my local Apple store and they confirmed FAKE. Serial number even matched Apple to confirm the warranty period. Was told by the Apple technician that they were the perfect FAKE. Bought them from a local person off OfferUp, my plan is to file a police report. Apple gave me a letter (work order) identifying them by serial number and saying they were NOT Apple authentic product. Im sure I won't get my money back but maybe I can help someone else not get scammed.

P.S. While at the Apple store I picked up the APP2....What I should have done in the first place (my wife warned me😉)

You should take him to small claims court. You will get your money back plus filing fees.

 

[doodads]

I saw three pairs of Airpod Pros for sale in my area on Facebook Marketplace. All three were new, with prices ranging from $140 to $160. I asked them why they were selling them, and all three said that they recently got them as gifts and didn't need them. I asked all three for the serial numbers, and they gave them to me. They all sent me the EXACT SAME serial number! Of course I'm not going to buy any of them.

 

[Kottu]

I also came across few on FM marketplace with same serial number. When I inspected a fake one, I didn't have time to check the serial number of headsets. I saw in a YT channel that a fake pair has the same serial number as on the box. But the original ones have different serial numbers.

 

[blaugrana69]

I note that eBay in the UK is swamped with sellers, with very little feedback, selling APP2 at “too good to be true” prices.

 

[trevpimp]

Lots of fakes every where when you're not buying from Apple or known dealers

I ONLY buy mine directly from Apple or Best Buy, Walmart, etc

 

[ISKOTB]

I note that eBay in the UK is swamped with sellers, with very little feedback, selling APP2 at “too good to be true” prices.

I paid $200 for a fake one off eBay but I got a FULL refund back when I sent them back to the seller.

 

[FreakinEurekan]

The AirPods fakes I’ve seen look AMAZINGLY good. And, they’re duplicating a real serial number so it doesn’t show up as fake at all (until 300 people request service on the same serial, that is 🙄). I’m 100% confident that fakes is the reason Apple’s switched to only send-in service on AirPods, rather than pre-shipping out replacement items (unless you have AppleCare+).

The upshot is - don’t buy AirPods from unreliable resellers.

 

[bunce66]

I bought some on eBay for about $120 and similar story- they were given as a gift. Compared them to real airpods and it was VERY hard to tell a difference. After looking for a while, i noticed some sloppiness with the packaging and realized theyre fake. Sent them back and got a refund and just bought the real ones on Amazon. Just assume that anything suspiciously low priced is fake.

 

[ISKOTB]

I bought some on eBay for about $120 and similar story- they were given as a gift. Compared them to real airpods and it was VERY hard to tell a difference. After looking for a while, i noticed some sloppiness with the packaging and realized theyre fake. Sent them back and got a refund and just bought the real ones on Amazon. Just assume that anything suspiciously low priced is fake.

Not always, I paid $200 on Amazon and that was the same price for the fake ones on eBay.

 

[Kottu]

Airpods left, right and the case, all have different serial numbers. If they are same, don't buy. It's not easy to check if you are buying from eBay. If the seller can't produce the invoice or other proofs for the product, don't buy online.

 

[doodads]

If the seller can't produce the invoice or other proofs for the product, don't buy online.

This is why they say they got them as a gift. There is no invoice.

 

[doodads]

Airpods left, right and the case, all have different serial numbers. If they are same, don't buy. It's not easy to check if you are buying from eBay.

What serial number is on the box?

 

[Kottu]

What serial number is on the box?

Serial number on the box is the one on the case. Which is printed under side of the lid. You can also see it in the settings app. A google search of serial number on the box is good to start with. I have come across many times same serial number in different part of the world.

 

[christlinah]

Only buy AirPods from Apple or very reputable vendors. Period. Way too many fakes around so your chances of getting scammed are huge.

 

[timidhermit]

There is a subreddit that specifically discusses these AirPods Pro knockoffs. The "current" generation of knockoffs are so good that they have all of the following:

1. Nearly identical box and documentation with valid serial number (spoofing).
2. Serial number on the case (this was not the case for many older generations of fakes).
3. ANC and Transparency mode "fake" screen / option.
4. Ear tips with grills (older fake ear tips do not have grills).
5. Location tracking (supposedly, this works by spoofing so it may not work with later iOS).
6. Identical notification sounds (this used to be a dead giveaway for fakes).