How to Spot Fake Apple Watches

In the world of smartwatches, the Apple Watch Series reigns supreme. It’s a wearable that’s not just a fashion statement but a device that seamlessly integrates with your iPhone, iPad, and MacBook.

But with popularity comes imitation, and the market is flooded with knockoffs. So, how can you spot a fake Apple Watch, or even worse, a fake Apple Watch Ultra?

Why Does It Matter?

First, let’s talk about why these fake Apple Watches exist in the first place. Contrary to what you might believe, the idea is not to fool you into thinking it’s an Apple Watch. Most of these watches are packaged and labeled so that the average person would never think they’re a genuine article. Mainly, they exist as a way for people to look like they have an Apple Watch without spending the actual asking price.

There are counterfeit products that try to fool buyers, but that’s largely not what fake Apple Watches are about. However, people will still try to use these counterfeit watches to fool unsuspecting marks.

Unscrupulous online dealers or sellers on sites like eBay or anywhere the seller can get away with scamming you are prime places where these fake Apple Watches can be sold for profit with little recourse for you.

Unlike Android or Samsung’s Tizen, Apple Watches run on Apple’s operating system called WatchOS. This means a fake, even if its software has been modified to look like WatchOS, won’t offer what a genuine Apple Watch provides and won’t fit into the Apple ecosystem, which is one of the main selling points of the Apple Watch. While a fake Android smartwatch may do a decent job of standing in for the real thing, a fake Apple Watch is a paperweight and probably an expensive one.

Related: How to Identify Your Apple Watch Model and Case Size

1. Is the Price Too Good to Be True?

Apple products are renowned for their quality, and that quality comes with a price tag. If you find an Apple Watch or Apple Watch Ultra smartwatch listed at a suspiciously low price on platforms like AliExpress or Amazon, it’s likely a knockoff. If someone is selling an Apple Watch Ultra for the price of an Apple Watch SE, something is very fishy.

A reasonable explanation must exist for why a genuine Apple Watch is going for less than similar devices. Has it been refurbished? Is it damaged? Is it an old model that will only support updates briefly? If none of these are true, then stay away!

2. A Bad Unboxing Experience

Apple takes pride in its packaging. Unboxing an Apple product is an experience in itself. If your unboxing experience feels cheap, or the packaging lacks the usual Apple branding, you might have a fake.

It’s a good idea to watch an unboxing video for the specific model of Apple Watch that you thought you’d bought. If the packaging doesn’t match, or the materials are flimsy and nasty, that’s a clue you’ve been had.

3. Watch Faces and Operating System

The Apple Watch runs on watchOS, an operating system exclusive to Apple’s wearable line. Knockoffs, however, often run on a generic smartwatch OS that can’t replicate the fluidity or design of watchOS. Pay close attention to the watch faces. Apple has a distinct set of watch faces that aren’t available on knockoffs or might be poorly copied versions.

Again, watching a video of an actual WatchOS device being operated can be helpful. Look at the level of responsiveness and the design of UI elements, and you should easily spot a fake watch that fails to match it.

4. Physical Attributes

Examine the watch closely. Real Apple Watches are made with high-quality materials, like stainless steel, and have a refined finish. The Apple Watch Ultra, with its 49mm casing, is even more robust. Whether silicone or other materials, the straps should feel durable and comfortable. Fake Apple Watches might use cheaper materials that feel off to the touch.

5. Functionality

One of the key selling points of the Apple Watch is its health-tracking features. The heart rate monitor, blood pressure monitor, and ECG are all sophisticated pieces of tech. The Apple Watch Ultra even includes a depth app and compass for the adventurous. A fake Apple Watch might boast some of these features, but its performance will be worse or incompatible with Apple Watch apps on your iPhone.

You can also compare what the external sensor cluster on the wrist side of the watch versus a photo of what it should look like. It may have fewer sensors or ones that are not in the right spots.

6. Connectivity and Battery Life

A genuine Apple Watch should easily connect to your iPhone, iPad, or MacBook via Bluetooth. It might be a fake if you’re having trouble pairing the device or the connectivity is unstable.

Additionally, check the battery life. Apple Watches, especially the Ultra, are known for their long-lasting batteries. If your watch needs frequent charging, it’s a red flag.

7. Charger and Accessories

Apple uses a proprietary wireless charging system for its watches. Be wary if your watch has a different charger or doesn’t support wireless charging. Also, genuine Apple Watches come with additional Apple Watch bands and a compact charger. If these are missing or feel cheap, you might have a counterfeit.

8. Compatibility With Other Apple Products

Apple products are designed to work seamlessly together. Your Apple Watch should easily pair with your AirPods or AirPods Pro for a wireless music experience. If you’re having trouble connecting your devices, it’s a sign of a fake.

It should work with iOS devices like the iPhone 14 Pro Max, and macOS devices like a MacBook Pro. A real Apple Watch shows you what music is playing on your Mac, lets you answer calls on your phone, or offers deeply-integrated notifications from your phone apps. If the watch you bought doesn’t slip neatly into this ecosystem then it’s probably not real.

9. Check the Serial Number

Every Apple Watch has a unique serial number. You can find this number in the “About” section of the settings. Once you have it, you can verify its authenticity on Apple’s website. If the serial number isn’t recognized, it’s a fake.

The serial number is sometimes actual because it’s been copied from an authentic Apple Watch. That’s the same model the fake is copying. However, if you’re looking at multiple watches being sold, there’s a good chance they’ll all have the same serial number, which means they are fake.

10. Performance and Speed

Genuine Apple Watches are powered by Apple’s own S-series processors, which ensure smooth and fast operation. If your watch is slow, laggy, or frequently crashes, it’s likely a fake. This is especially true for the Apple Watch Ultra, which boasts superior performance for its advanced features.

11. Sound Quality

Apple Watches have excellent sound quality for both media playback and Bluetooth calls. If the sound from your watch is tinny, distorted, or quiet, it could be counterfeit. Genuine Apple Watches also support seamless integration with AirPods Pro, providing high-quality wireless audio.

12. Touch Sensitivity

Apple uses high-quality AMOLED displays for their watches, ensuring smooth touch sensitivity. If the touch interface on your watch is unresponsive or requires a hard press, it’s a sign of a fake.

There are now Apple Watch clones that use AMOLED screens, such as the HK9 Pro Apple Watch Ultra clone, so there are better ways to test, but it should be obvious when a watch uses a cheap LCD that doesn’t curve properly.

13. App Store Access

Genuine Apple Watches have access to the App Store, allowing you to download a wide range of apps. Counterfeit watches often lack this feature, limiting you to pre-installed apps or taking you to an Android or other OS store.

14. Apple Health Integration

Apple Watches sync with the Apple Health app on your iPhone, providing a comprehensive view of your health data. If your watch doesn’t sync with Apple Health or the data is inconsistent, it’s likely a fake.

15. Software Updates

Apple frequently releases software updates for its watches to introduce new features and fix bugs. If your watch doesn’t receive these updates, it’s a sign of a counterfeit.

16. Weight and Size

Genuine Apple Watches have a certain weight and size to them. For instance, the Apple Watch Ultra has a 49mm casing. If your watch feels too light or the dimensions are off, it could be a fake.

You can measure them before buying or take a kitchen scale with you and weigh the watch to see if it matches Apple’s official specs.

While that fake Apple Watch might seem like a bargain, it’s a poor substitute for the real deal. The lack of functionality, subpar materials, and poor performance make it a bad investment. It’s better to pay more for an authentic Apple Watch than to be scammed with a counterfeit.

Remember, when it comes to Apple products, it’s not just about owning a device; it’s about being part of an ecosystem that offers unparalleled integration and convenience. Don’t let a knockoff rob you of that experience.

Now that you know how to spot fake Apple Watches, why not learn how to spot fake AirPods?