Fake Apple chargers are reportedly becoming more common in the market.
Original Apple chargers usually have sharp and clean light grey text printed on them.
An original Apple charger generally feels slightly heavy because of the internal safety components used inside.
Fake Apple chargers are reportedly becoming more common in the market. While these chargers may look similar to original Apple products, they can be risky to use. Cheap counterfeit chargers may damage your iPhone’s battery, cause overheating or even become a fire hazard in some cases.
X account @saaaanjjjuuu has warned buyers about the growing number of fake Apple chargers being sold and advised users to stay careful before making a purchase. The user wrote, ‘Cheap fake chargers can damage your iPhone battery or worse, cause overheating/fire.’
Here are some simple ways to avoid buying a fake one.
Check the printed text carefully: Original Apple chargers usually have sharp and clean light grey text printed on them. Fake chargers often use darker text that may appear blurry, uneven, or poorly aligned. In some cases, spelling mistakes may also be visible.
Look at the plastic finish: Real Apple adapters have a smooth matte finish and feel premium in hand. Counterfeit chargers often use cheap plastic with a glossy or shiny look.
Compare the weight: An original Apple charger generally feels slightly heavy because of the internal safety components used inside. Fake chargers often feel hollow and much lighter.
Examine the charging pins: The metal pins on a genuine Apple charger are usually perfectly aligned and fit securely into sockets. On fake chargers, the pins may look uneven or feel loose.
Read the cable text: Apple cables include the text ‘Designed by Apple in California’ followed by ‘Assembled in China’, ‘Assembled in Vietnam’, or ‘Indústria Brasileira.’ This text is normally printed around seven inches away from the USB end of the cable.
Check for the serial number: A genuine Apple cable also includes a unique 12-digit serial number near the printed text. Many fake cables either skip this entirely or print unclear numbers.
Inspect the connector quality: Original Lightning connectors have smooth metallic pins with rounded edges. Fake connectors may have rough or uneven finishes. Similarly, genuine USB-C and USB connectors usually look seamless, while fake ones may show visible gaps or uneven joints.
To stay safe, buyers should purchase chargers only from Apple-authorised sellers or trusted stores.
Ayushi works as Chief Copy Editor at Digit, covering everything from breaking tech news to in-depth smartphone reviews. Prior to Digit, she was part of the editorial team at IANS.