Counterfeit iPhone 6s: Fake Apple Phones Sold In China Prior To Launch

Buyer Beware! Counterfeit versions of Apple’s new iPhone 6s and 6s Plus have been going on sale in China. The thing is, you have to ask the shop owners for the counterfeit version of Apple’s new phone.

The Apple iPhone 6s and 6s Plus are slated to go on sale in the U.S. and other parts of the world on Friday, September 15. But there are already counterfeit versions running rampant in southern China. There are shops lined up inside a mall in the city of Shenzhen that are selling fake versions of Apple’s iPhones. Although they’re not on display in the counters, shop owners are willing to fetch them for you in their back inventory.

The counterfeit iPhone 6s is priced at $91, over $400 less than the real version, which retails at $549 on Apple’s U.S. website. This fake version doesn’t run the latest iOS. Instead, it runs on an unidentified Android operating system, which sellers claim is similar to iOS 8 and 9. However, the fake iPhone 6s is reported to run slower, and photos even appear fuzzy on its screen.

Sellers won’t even mention the camera on the phone, which is said to be worse than Apple’s impressive 12 megapixel camera and its ability to take 4K videos. The counterfeit iPhone 6s and 6s Plus have only sold as little as 100 units since they arrived to stores last week.

There is only one official Apple store in the city of the Shenzhen, along with five authorized dealers that sell official Apple products. According to shopper, Mark Li, the Apple logo attracts the younger crowds.

“Many people, especially people in their 20s and 30s, really like Apple. The Apple logo attracts them. When they see a shop sells Apple (products), they will go inside the shop, and if they don’t sell Apple maybe they won’t go inside. Even if the shop doesn’t sell real Apple products, they think getting a pirated or refurbished one is not bad either. They think they have face [status]. Face is very important for many people.”

Many of these unauthorized dealers resell the remainder of their counterfeit iPhones to overseas markets, such as Hong Kong and the United States. They’re ideal for consumers who can’t think of paying hundreds for the latest iPhone. Several shops even double the price tag for consumers who want to get the latest iPhone models as early as this coming Friday.

Earlier this summer, a massive iPhone counterfeit operation was shut down in Beijing, China. Police raided more than 41,000 fake iPhones that were worth as much as $19 million. And on May 14, police raided 1,400 fake Apple phones after receiving a tip from U.S. authorities, who also seized some of the counterfeit iPhones.

So, how can you tell if you purchased a counterfeit iPhone 6s or 6s Plus? It may have the actual components of the Apple parts and the iOS, but it could have been assembled from parts that were sent out originally to China for recycling. Look at the back of your iPhone 6 to locate the phone’s electronic serial number, also known as the IMEI (international mobile equipment station identity). This is a special serial number that identifies your phone. You can also find the number if you go to Settings > General > About. If the numbers aren’t the same, then you may have a fake.

Another way to tell a counterfeit from the real thing is if your phone is actually an Android in disguise. You can tell by starting Siri on the Home button. If she doesn’t respond, then you have a fake. If you have a Google Play app, or if it the App Store icon takes you to the Google Play Store, then you have a counterfeit iPhone.

If you want to purchase the new iPhone 6s or 6s Plus, then stick with the Apple Store or an authorized retailer in the United States. Most of Apple’s iPhones don’t cost $100 or less, unless they’re discontinued or refurbished. On the other hand, if you don’t mind using an Android phone that looks like an iPhone, then a counterfeit may be for you.

[Image: Stephen Lam / Getty Images]