Earlier this month, a Reddit user shared a distressing experience of having his Apple iPhone 15 Pro Max order intercepted during shipping.
Instead of the anticipated flagship device, he received a counterfeit iPhone 15 Pro Max, complete with a cloned iOS 17 software skin.
Fake iPhone 15 Pro Max
The Redditor, known as "theEdmard," quickly discerned that the device he received wasn't authentic. The rising issue of counterfeit products infiltrating the supply chain might be alarming, but this one is on a different level.
Phone Repair Guru managed to acquire one of these counterfeit devices, likely similar to the one received by the Redditor. The meticulous replication of both hardware and software elements is remarkable, beginning with the authenticity of the packaging.
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Deceptive Packaging
The cloned iPhone 15 Pro Max comes in a box that closely mirrors the genuine packaging based on 9to5Mac's observation.
On top of that, the attention to detail is striking, making it challenging to differentiate between the real and the fake. The box includes essential accessories such as a braided cable, an instruction manual, a SIM ejector pin, and even the iconic Apple logo sticker.
"The next thing I notice when I turn it on, the screen isn't right. It lights up the black area in a way that is clearly not OLED, and the bottom has a 'chin,' which suggests this is not correct for the phone. He also describes the initial setup process as being "very poor," Ed writes.
Impressions of the Counterfeit Device
Upon unboxing, Phone Repair Guru notes that the bootleg device feels surprisingly authentic. The curved edges, often distinctive to the iPhone 15 Pro Max, are faithfully replicated. Even the presence of an action button, mimicking Apple's design, adds to the deceptive nature of the device.
In a side-by-side comparison at BestBuy, the counterfeit and genuine iPhones appear nearly identical at first glance. The cloning effort extends to finer details, capturing the essence of the original design.
Software Cloning
The counterfeit iPhone goes beyond hardware imitation, replicating the software experience.
During startup, the device displays the Apple logo, creating a deceptive illusion. The iOS 17 skin is convincingly cloned, featuring a Hello screen and a Settings app displaying accurate model and serial numbers, further complicating the identification of the fake.
While the fake smartphones manage to deceive at a glance, closer scrutiny reveals some quality flaws. The screen and camera components fall short in comparison to the authentic iPhone 15 Pro Max. Notably, a pronounced chin and a less refined front camera expose the device's imitation.
Overall, people are becoming more adept in releasing good bootlegs that look like their legit counterparts. This is why you should always check your purchase after unboxing them. You never know if you will get an Android device in the iPhone's skin.
