The fact that you’re on this blog means that you suspect you have gotten fake AirPods Max. Unfortunately, you’re not alone, ordering online and getting counterfeit Apple products has become a common occurrence.
Fake AirPods Max won’t just hurt your pocket, they could be dangerous to use as they haven’t gone through Apple’s quality checks.
If you’ve been duped, there are some signs to check whether your AirPods Max are original or not. Here are some things to look into to check whether you have a fake AirPods Max.
8 Ways to Check If your AirPods Max are Fake
1. Check Packaging
Apple devices are known for their unboxing experience. Every single thing on the packaging is immaculate and designed for a purpose.
Check the box for any spelling mistakes, inconsistencies, or anything that’s out of place. If you have purchased Apple devices in past, compare fonts, colors, and logos on the boxes. Check if the packaging is made from poor materials. Any of the above could be a sign that you have received fake AirPods Max!
2. Inspect Design & Product Quality
Apple has one of the best standards for its products. AirPods Max in this case is made of stainless steel and anodized aluminium which makes it a premium product.
A sure shot sign that you have fake AirPods Max is the build quality. The parts would feel cheap and plastic-y. They wouldn’t feel durable and the overall weight of the headphones would be very light.
Another telltale sign of a fake AirPods Max is the positioning and the shine of the Apple logo. On the original pair, the Apple logo is perfectly centered and it shines when it hits the light. However, the fake pair would not have those intricacies.
The earcups on the genuine AirPods Max are designed to give you the best possible listening experience and comfort. The fake pair would not sit right on your ears. The headband of the original pair is made from a breathable, comfortable mesh. You won’t find the same quality on the counterfeit products.
You can also check if your AirPods Max are fake or genuine by checking the control buttons. The original AirPods Max have a digital crown as physical controls. You can turn the volume up or down, answer calls, activate Siri, and do much more with the Digital Crown. You won’t be able to do the same on a fake product.
Moreover, there’s a satisfying clicking experience with the Apple original buttons, which counterfeit products won’t be able to replicate.
The LED light on the AirPods Max can also be a way to detect whether you have an original or fake AirPods Max. There’s a button under the right ear cup that you can press to check battery levels.
When you press the button while headphones are not charging, it will show a green light if there’s more than 15% batter. On less than 15% battery, the light would turn amber. Fake AirPods Max may not have the same patterns, or the color of their LED may be different than the original.
3. Check the Sound Quality
As soon as you start listening to the sound of AirPods Max, you’ll understand if they’re fake or original. Genuine AirPods Max have HiFi sound with ANC and they provide an unparalleled listening experience (Apple’s own words).
There’s a custom-built driver inside the AirPods Max that’s designed to offer rich bass, right mids, and crisp sound across all the sound levels.
Even the best fake AirPods Max copy wouldn’t be able to replicate the sound experience of the original AirPods Max. The sound would often feel muffled, or distorted across different sound levels.
Check the authenticity of the sound by playing music with different frequencies and different music styles. The genuine AirPods Max have just the right blend of bass and treble, which you won’t get from the counterfeit AirPods Max.
4. Check the AirPods Max Smart Case
Your AirPods Max should have come with a Smart Case that protects the ear cups but doesn’t protect the headband. When in case, your AirPods Max would go into an ultra-low power state that saves battery.
The AirPods Max smart case is made of high-quality microfiber material that feels soft yet premium. Inspect the Smart Case thoroughly, if the build quality feels cheap, has rough edges, or feels plastic-y, it may be a fake, which means your AirPods Max is fake too!
5. Check Pairing Smoothness
If there’s one thing that Apple has mastered, it’s the seamless pairing between Apple devices. That’s one experience you won’t ever find clunky. To connect to your AirPods Max, press the connect button and bring your devices close to each other.
An animation would come up on the screen and you’d be able to pair the device. Not being able to do so seamlessly would mean that the device is not genuine.
If you have multiple Apple devices, automatic switching between iPhone, iPad, Mac, and Apple Watch would only be possible with a genuine pair of AirPods Max.
If you run into any of these common pairing problems I’ve mentioned below, there’s a high chance your product is a fake one:
- AirPods Max keep disconnecting
- Can’t switch between devices seamlessly
- AirPods Max disconnects abruptly and connects again
- No sound coming after connecting & playing music
- Sound keeps disconnecting
6. Sensor Quality
Your AirPods Max has multiple sensors, one of which is in-ear detection. Most counterfeit devices cannot copy this.
As fake AirPods Max don’t go under rigorous testing, some of the sensors may not work, or they may not work as intended.
Moreover, the fake AirPods Max may not have all the sensors that the original has. One thing you should notice is if the placement of sensors is not right.
7. Check the Price
If you manage to get a steal deal on your new AirPods Max then they could be fake. Genuine AirPods Max cost $549. If you’ve managed to find a deal that seems too good to be true, it could be that you’re paying for a counterfeit product.
The best way to avoid this is by not buying a product from a website you’ve never seen before or a website that seems shady!
8. Verify Serial Number
Another way you can check if your AirPods are fake or genuine is by checking the serial number on Apple’s website or customer support.
You can find the unique serial number of your AirPods Max on the inside of the cushion of the left ear. Detach the magnetic ear cushion, check the serial number, and verify it on Apple’s website.
Here’s how to do so:
- Open a web browser and go to Apple’s coverage-checking tool.
- Enter the serial number of the product in the respective field.
- If the webpage shows actual information for that serial number, the AirPods Max are real. If the site doesn’t verify the serial number, the AirPods Max are fake.
Unfortunately, nowadays, your fake AirPods Max would also be shown as verified devices, in this case, you’d have to talk to customer support or visit your nearest Apple Store.
Conclusion – How to Check Fake AirPods Max?
Fake AirPods Max have become way too common. The only way to protect yourself from buying a fake one is by being vigilant. If you think you have accidentally purchased fake AirPods Max, first of all, I’m sorry. Second, check whether the AirPods Max are fake or not by using the tips I’ve mentioned above.
