First off, and this is kinda obvious but worth mentioning, if you see an Apple Watch Series 9 being sold for, like, fifty bucks… yeah, red flag city. I mean, come on! “If it seems too good to be true,” goes the saying, and it 100% applies here.
But beyond the obvious price tag, YouTube’s got your back. There are tons of “Fake Apple Watch vs. Real Apple Watch” videos out there. Unbox Therapy’s got one, and a bunch of other channels are jumping on the bandwagon. They usually cover things like:
* The Serial Number: This seems to be the big one. Most of the videos mention checking the serial number. You can usually find it either embossed somewhere on the watch itself (some videos say under the band attachment area), or in the Settings menu on the watch. If it’s paired with your iPhone, you can also find it in the Apple Watch app. If the serial number is bogus, doesn’t exist, or doesn’t match the model of Apple Watch you supposedly bought… well, Houston, we have a problem.
* The Packaging: Fakes often skimp on the packaging. Look for misspellings, cheap materials, or anything that just doesn’t feel…Apple-y. You know what I mean? Apple has this whole vibe, and the fakes often just don’t capture it.
* The Build Quality: This is where you gotta get hands-on. Does it feel cheap? Is the screen blurry? Are the buttons flimsy? Real Apple Watches are built like tanks (well, kinda). The fakes, not so much.
* The Software: This is HUGE. The user interface on a fake Apple Watch is almost always a dead giveaway. It’ll be laggy, clunky, and probably full of typos. Real Apple Watches have a smooth, intuitive UI. If it looks like something from a cheap Android phone from 2010, you’ve been had.
Now, I’m not gonna lie, some of these fakes are getting REALLY good. Like, scary good. That’s why watching these YouTube comparison videos is so important. They point out the subtle differences that you might miss otherwise.
One thing I personally noticed in a couple of the videos is the font. The font on the fake Apple Watch’s screen is often slightly different than the real one. It’s a small detail, but it can be a telltale sign.
And don’t just watch one video! Watch a few. Get a feel for what the real thing looks and feels like. The more you know, the less likely you are to get scammed.
Honestly, I’m always a bit paranoid when buying electronics online, especially from third-party sellers. It’s just too easy to get burned. If you’re buying an Apple Watch, I’d recommend buying it directly from Apple or from a reputable retailer. Yeah, it might cost a bit more, but at least you’ll have peace of mind knowing you’re getting the real deal.
