Apple AirPods Pro 2 Real vs. Fake Guide 2024: How Can I Tell If It Is Original?

About AirPods Pro 2

Price: $249

Announced in September 2022, the AirPods Pro (2nd Generation) succeed the orignal AirPods Pro that arrived in 2019. They deliver an even more powerful, personal, and convenient listening experience, transformed by next-generation Apple silicon. With industry-leading acoustics and advanced computational audio, the new AirPods Pro offer upgraded audio quality, extended battery life,and up to two times more noise cancellation than the previous generation.

 Don't let the release date of these earbuds fool you. Apple continues to update their firmware to provide them with cutting-edge new features, as you're about to discover. With AirPods Pro 2,  you get features like adaptive audio, pro-level active noise cancellation, a transparency mode, a conversation awareness feature and onboard touch controls. Other notable features include voice isolation, personalized volume, adaptive EQ and loud sound reduction.  All in all, Apple's AirPods Pro 2 are among the best wireless earbuds money can buy and are definitely the best AirPods Apple has to offer.

Where to Buy Apple AirPods Pro 2?

When purchasing AirPods Pro 2, it is recommended to go to official Apple stores or authorized retailers like Bestbuy. This way, you can be more confident that you're purchasing an authentic AirPods Pro 2. Be wary of buying from unknown or unauthorized sellers, especially online marketplaces where counterfeit goods are prevalent, such as Facebook Marketplace.

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How Can I Tell If Apple AirPods Pro 2 Is Original?

Here are some tips to identify fake vs. original AirPods Pro 2:

1. Check the Packaging

AirPods Pro 2 come in carefully packaged, high-quality materials. The printing on the box should be clear, not smudged or blurred, and have a sealed plastic wrap. The print on the fake AirPods Pro 2 box is noticeably more washed out, and the box has a bluish tint.

Also, when inspecting the box, check the Apple logo and other details to make sure they are clearly visible and have not been altered. Any signs of misspellings, incorrect font size, or inconsistent information on the packaging indicate a counterfeit AirPods Pro 2.

2. Check the box

On the genuine Apple Airppds Pro 2 box, the image of the Airpods Pro 2 is glossy and stands out more than the fake ones. The fake ones look more matte and not as vibrant or high quality. The colors on the genuine ones are really more vibrant. (This is something you will only notice after you have seen both the fake and genuine boxes)

In addition, where it says "AirPods Pro 2" on the top of the box, the fake ones have textured text and you can feel the letters. The Genuine should be flush and smooth.

The last,  the logo is also one of the things people should check out in the AirPods’ box. The original one has a sharper and more defined edge along the bite area. The counterfeit one, however, might have rounded edges.

3. Check the serial number

Before you open the box, you need to verify that the serial number on the box is actually a real product serial number. Find the serial number on the box and put it into Apple's Check Coverage tool. You'll see details on your AirPods model, purchase date, and warranty if they're genuine.

In addition, as you flip the cap and look at the serial number, some fake Airpods Pro 2 have only two lines of text, and the real ones have three. again the lettering is a little more grey and harder to read on the real ones.

However, don't rely on the serial number alone! Some manufacturers of fake AirPods Pro 2 have been taking serial numbers from real AirPods to use in batches of fakes. You had still check the serial number, but that's a very cursory check at best.

4. Check the opening area of the charging case

On the authentic AirPods Pro 2's charging case, you can see how the gap in the opening area of the charging case is less deep than in the fake AirPods Pro's case.

Fake AirPods Pro 2 cases usually have a very loose flap, which you can wiggle around even when it's closed.

5. Check the button and hinge

On authentic Airpods Pro 2, the button and hinge feel flush to the case. As your move your finger along the back of the case, it should feel nearly smooth to the touch. On replicas, the button seems more pressed inward while the hinge feels like it's sticking out.

In addition, notice the color of the hinge. Replicas will probably make their color with a darker metallic while the authentic ones are on the lighter end of the spectrum.

6. Check the extra ear tips case

The extra ear tips case is consists of three panels. A panel that holds all the ear tips, a panel that covers the ear tips, and a third panel with cutouts to secure them in place.  On the inside of the panel that rests on top of the ear tips, there should be indents for the three sizes of ear tips . The indentation for the small and large  tips should be recessed, while the indentation for the XS tips will be raised. On the fake Airpods Pro 2, the inside of that panel is flat.

7. Check the lightning ports

By inspecting the bottom of the genuine AirPods Pro 2 case, you'll definitely notice that the Lightning port is mounted very securely. The metal ring protrudes slightly from the case, but there are no visible holes or rings in the plastic. It's as if the port is securely inserted into the case.

In contrast, the Lightning port on the counterfeit AirPods Pro 2 case looks a bit "sunken" into the plastic. Additionally, the metal ring at the top of the port on the genuine AirPods Pro 2 case is much deeper than on the counterfeit case.

8. Check the charging cable

Look at the little pieces of paper wrapped around the charging cable, if those pieces are held on with glue, then your AirPods Pro 2 are fake. The charging cable of real AirPods Pro 2  have a little pull tab on those cable wrappers instead of glue. These cables should also fit neatly in the box.

9. Check the left & right prints

The AirPods Pro 2 must have the symbols L and R engraved on the earpieces. So, if it’s not present, this is the sign of a dummy. Even if the inscriptions are visible, try to scratch those mildly. If it’s hard to remove, then the AirPod Pro 2 is original.

10. Check the grill on top of the stem

Looking at the grill on the top of the stem, the mesh on the original grille is much finer and slightly less reflective. The same is true for the smaller microphone grill on the top of the AirPods Pro 2. The original grill is also smoother when you run your finger over it, while the grill on the fake AirPods Pro 2 appears rough.

11. Identify fake AirPods via iOS devices

Another way to spot fake AirPods Pro 2 is by pairing them with your iPhone. New iPhones have a built-in verification check to detect fake AirPods Pro 2. When fake AirPods Pro 2 are paired, iOS 18 warns that the earphones are not genuine. The message reads: "These earphones can't be verified as genuine AirPods and may not function as expected."  However, this feature does not prevent you from pairing or using fake AirPods Pro 2. It simply notifies you that you are using a counterfeit product.

While the fake Airpods Pro 2 can pair with your iPhone, you will find that many features work significantly worse on the fakes. Additionally, the fakes don’t allow you to use advanced awareness features, such as enhanced transparency mode or reducing excessive surrounding noise when you start talking.

12. Check for complete documentation

A quick way of checking is to see if you received complete documentation with your AirPods. You should have three things 1) a manual 2) warranty card and a 3) safety sheet.

13. Check the Price

While price alone isn't a definitive indicator, if you're getting a pair of Apple AirPods Pro 2 for a lower price, there's a good chance they're not real Apple AirPods Pro 2. Authentic AirPods Pro 2 are priced according to their quality and brand reputation. Unrealistically low prices, especially from unofficial or unknown retailers, should raise suspicions. Even on Cyber Monday. And that should be the first thing that tells you they're fake.

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