iPhone 7 grey. “Grey” iPhone: how to recognize a counterfeit and why the official iPhone is better? How to distinguish a “gray” iPhone from a “white” one
If at selling iPhone is called gray, then in most cases we are not talking about the color of the case, but the degree of legality of import of this device to the territory of the country. How to identify a “gray” smartphone and what consequences the acquisition of such a gadget may entail - we will understand the material below.
Just a few years ago, for most domestic users, the difference between a “gray” and a “white” (official) iPhone was determined solely by cost, and the average Russian or resident of the near abroad considered buying a smartphone from unofficial resellers (in common parlance “resellers” or “hucksters”) savings. In fact, the use of an illegally sold device can be justified from an economic point of view, but gray is different from gray, and buying iPhone is better taking into account the recommendations presented below.
What is a “gray” iPhone?
To officially sell an iPhone in Russia or any other country in the world, you must enter into a contract with Apple, pay customs duties, undergo certification and obtain all permits. Naturally, official dealers, who have spent time and money going through these mandatory procedures, take into account their own and state interests when calculating the price (for example, the amount of VAT, which in Russia is 20% of the cost). This is the “white” iPhone, and you can only find it at official dealers (which are usually large retail chains, for example, Svyaznoy, M.video, etc.), as well as on the official Apple website. A list of “white” resellers in your locality can be obtained by following this link.
However, not every batch of smartphones is worth going through all the circles of bureaucratic hell and paying customs duties. Carrying several (or several dozen) iPhones across the border from nearby European or Asian countries is not difficult for many who want to make money, and the final price of such a device for the buyer is usually 20% (plus or minus) below the market price.
It is important to understand that we are talking about completely new original smartphones made by Apple. How to determine Chinese fake we talked in detail, and about used iPhones sold under the guise of refurbished ones -. Also in this article there will be no mention of scammers selling through iPhone ads 5s under iPhone view SE, unlocked devices in sealed packaging, etc.
In other words,
The “gray” iPhone is ordinary original a smartphone from Apple, but which has not undergone the certification procedure for the country into which it was imported after sale. Typically, “gray” iPhones are imported and sold in violation of tax laws (smuggling). In addition, when using iPhone in a non-native region (other than the country for which it was released), there may be some restrictions described below.
Does Apple warranty apply to gray iPhones?
It is not possible to legally oblige Apple to repair warranty-covered smartphones imported from abroad - the company does not undertake to repair devices for objective reasons due to technical limitations in different countries. For example, China uses different communication standards from European ones. At the same time, prove that the screen is broken or the battery is defective. LTE frequency not relevant, unlikely to work
However, Apple's internal policies do not negate the existence of consumer protection laws. If you bought a “white” or “gray” iPhone from legal entity(online store) in Russia, then you have the right to make claims against it for two years from the date of purchase. Naturally, if you have a sales receipt.
It is worth noting that starting from 2019 some"gray" iPhones Covered by a one-year (1 year) Apple warranty in Russia. If problems arise, you will need to contact an official Apple reseller. In the same time, guarantee period for a “white” (official) iPhone is 2 years.
Here is a list of relevant ones for Russia iPhone versions, subject to free warranty service in 2019:
iPhone 7: A1778.
iPhone 7 Plus: A1784.
iPhone 8: A1905, A1863.
iPhone 8 Plus: A1897, A1864.
iPhone X: A1901, A1865.
iPhone XS: A2097.
iPhone XS Max: A2101.
iPhone XR: A2105.
It is important to understand that in this case we are talking about a worldwide warranty, the duration of which is one year, while a device purchased from an official dealer can be serviced free of charge for two years.
Advantages of the “gray” iPhone
The main and often decisive advantage for the buyer gray iPhone in comparison with legally imported goods is the cost. The difference in price can reach about 25%, while most users do not see other differences between smuggled smartphones and those purchased from an official reseller, but they still exist.
Problems with a “gray” iPhone during operation
In most cases, using a “gray” iPhone does not cause any problems, but this is only due to the fact that most devices come to us from neighboring countries. If you purchase a Taiwanese or, for example, a Brazilian gadget, you may encounter low quality communication and even the absence of an LTE connection. This happens due to the use of different frequencies in Europe, Asia, South America, etc. By the way, the Russian authorities have repeatedly threatened to completely block all smartphones that entered the country illegally. This is a very difficult, but feasible, from a technical point of view, task.
Perhaps the most significant problems can be caused by the purchase of “ gray carrier iPhone(aka: “locked”, “locked”, contract, tied to an operator, SIM-lock, etc.). Such a smartphone only works with a SIM card from a specific operator in the country where the purchase was made.
In addition to the cases described above, a “gray” iPhone can also cause less serious problems for its owner. For example, a plug for connecting an adapter charger to the electrical network is different in many countries. This means that it is impossible to connect a British or, for example, American iPhone to a domestic outlet using a standard charger without a special adapter
A less important nuance is that Apple complies with the laws of the countries to which it ships its gadgets, which entails some consequences. For example, an iPhone purchased in the Emirates will not support FaceTime video calls. japanese smartphone will not allow you to turn off the camera sound, and the “European” will limit the maximum volume in the headphones (Apple has no restrictions for Russia yet).
Eventually:
The best “gray” iPhone for a Russian user is the iPhone, brought from the European Union. The device is practically no different from the official Apple smartphone produced for Russia, with the exception of the absence of a two-year warranty and a limitation on the maximum volume.
How to distinguish a “gray” iPhone from a “white” one
Naturally, the store won’t let you unpack your iPhone, but the box itself will help you easily distinguish a “white” iPhone from one imported from abroad. The description of the smartphone (on the bottom of the package) must be in Russian, at the end of the model identifier there must be the mark “RR”, “RS” or “RU”.
For example, the model identifier of an iPhone that was produced for the US market will end with the letters LL (or LL/A), “British” – B (B/A), an Apple smartphone from Poland – PM (PM/A), from Hong Kong – etc.
Photo of the “white” iPhone settings:
Screenshot of the “gray” iPhone settings from Poland:
Counterfeiting all these insignia or using packaging from another smartphone is quite difficult and not very profitable in terms of potential profit, so these signs can be considered sufficient to determine the “whiteness” of an iPhone.
If you are agreeing to purchase an iPhone second-hand, but do not want to purchase a “gray” gadget, then also start checking it by matching the information on the box and on the smartphone itself.
The serial number, IMEI and model must be identical in the device settings ( Settings → Basic → About this device) and on the box.
More details about checking iPhone We talked about it online in .
Eventually:
If you need a clearly “white” iPhone, then buy only in big ones retail networks and in official reseller stores: Svyaznoy, M.video, re:Store, on the Apple website, etc. This iPhone has "RR", "RS" or "RU" at the end of its model ID, which can be found in iOS settings or on the back of the package.
Conclusion
Gray iPhone really helps you save money in case of concluding a transaction with a reputable seller, which does not hide the origin of the device, did not activate it and did not replace accessories, packaging, or sales receipt. IN otherwise, 10-25% savings can result in undesirable consequences, loss of time, nerves and money.
“Grey” is equipment imported into Russia illegally, bypassing customs and institutions that control the quality of goods distributed throughout the Russian Federation. The budget is thus left without paying tax, but does it make any difference to the buyer - after all, the model is working, and even more so it costs less than the official one!
Until recently, one could have said: “Yes, it makes more sense to buy cheaper!” Moreover, the difference in price is often 20%. But now the situation has changed: it makes sense to pay more, because the main “trick” of officially imported equipment is warranty service from Apple. And it works in Russia!
Where to find the official iPhone
For the answer to this question, go to the official Apple website (herehere ), enter the name of your locality and get a list of stores where you can buy an iPhone that is subject to warranty service. Well, the opportunity to purchase a smartphone online has also not been canceled. If you find a suitable iPhone on APORT, check whether the store selling it is on the list of official Apple resellers (read about them below).
What does the Apple warranty cover?
If from the moment iPhone activation no more than one year has passed, everything can be changed for you - from a display with burnt pixels to a stuck or “crispy” Home key. Free, fast and high quality. At official Apple service centers in Russia. Sounds good, right?
Warranty service, however, has its pitfalls. So, for example, if you have been using an iPhone for more than a year, regardless of whether you decided to go the honest route - you bought official equipment in Russia, or use an equally honestly purchased device brought from afar, you will still have to pay the bills.
For some Apple gadgets, the rule “we only repair what was purchased in Russia” does not apply. So, service centers(SC) are accepted for service and purchased both in the Russian Federation and in Europe.
Important!We are talking only about the models of the smaller “six” A1586 and A1589, and the larger “six” A1524. American iPhones cannot be returned under warranty in Russia.
For other iPhones, warranty service is also possible. SC accepts:
- iPhone 5s (A1457)
- iPhone 5c (A1507)
- iPhone 5 (A1429)
- iPhone 4s (A1387)
- iPhone 4 (A1332)
Important!Some models have own programs warranty service. These include iPhone 5 smartphones, which under warranty can be replaced with a lock button (only the A1429 model is serviced) or a defective battery, because the company has identified massive manufacturing defects in these components.
Among the and there were also defective batches. Users of these smartphones have encountered problems with the iSight rear camera, and if you are among those whose main module takes blurry photos and there is no cure for it, goright hereand check if your phone is on the list of models eligible for free repair.
Important!Apple clarifies that this special program Warranty service only applies to models that were on sale from September 2014 to January 2015.
More about Limited Apple warranty for 1 year you can read .
Exchange
“White” devices, in addition to the fact that they can be repaired for free (or put in order by the hands of qualified employees who have undergone Apple training), can also be exchanged for new ones. If the “one year rule” no longer applies to you, and the cost of repairs is considerable, or you simply want to update your Apple fleet, you can do this with officially imported equipment. With an extra charge, of course: exchange old for new.
Check your iPhone
If you are in doubt about which iPhone you are using - gray or white - it can be easily cleared up by going through here is this link . On the page we enter serial number hardware equipment - we check the smartphone for the right to service and support.
The serial number is printed on the device body, and you can also find it out by tapping Settings - Basic - About thisdevice.
How to distinguish an official iPhone from a “gray” one?
Just a few steps and you are there. The first thing to do is to carefully examine the packaging. New iPhone must be supplied to Russian market with a Russified box, on which not only is there a description of the model in a language we understand, but there are also two important points:
- “…RS/A” must be indicated at the end of the product RR code.
- The sticker should bear the RosTest sign (the diagram is shown in the infographic below).
If the model was purchased in Europe, then, of course, there can be no talk of any Russification on the box. But there must be a sign of compliance with European quality standards.
And in general, you can start checking the “authenticity” of the iPhone by whether the seller of this device is on the list of official Apple resellers. This can be done .
The box must contain:
- Clip. Believe it or not, some smuggled and counterfeit iPhones may come to you with very little equipment - just the iPhone, no instructions, no charger, no paperclip.
- Instructions and warranty card in Russian.
- Charger with plug for Russian electrical networks. Counterfeit iPhones often come to Russia from the USA, and there, as you know, the plugs there are not the same as ours.
- Complete with Apple smartphones, officially sold in Russia, also come with headphones (Apple EarPods are included in the iPhone 6s, iPhone 6 and iPhone 5s).
Well, for additional reinsurance, you can go to Settings - Basic - About this device, find the Serial Number and check it . If the model is real, and not Chinese or imported bypassing customs from any other country, you will see an available service option there, for example.
If there is a phrase on the screen that starts with “Unfortunately, this serial number...”, either double-check that the number you entered is correct, or avoid this merchant.
Counterfeits - namely fakes - are very easy to identify by trying to log into the App Store. An inexperienced buyer, who has never seen the real thing, sometimes comes across an Android copy being sold to him under the guise of an iPhone. No matter how good the fake is, an attempt to enter the App Store will one way or another end with a transition to Google Play Market.
Another reliable program is iTunes. If your smartphone refuses to log into it and the program remains treacherously silent when you try to launch it, save yourself: you have come across a fake.
Unlocked smartphone from the USA
A flimsy tactic on how to buy an iPhone cheaper is to take an unlocked model, i.e. buy a re-flashed iPhone, previously intended to work with a SIM card of one or another foreign operator. Outwardly, you may not be able to distinguish this phone from the real one (on back cover some devices are supplied by foreign operators mobile networks engrave their logo, but our craftsmen have learned to cope with this too). But when it comes to updating the software, unexpected problems may occur.
According to reviews, unlocked devices refuse to update or are updated incorrectly. Moreover, they are not subject to warranty service.
Yes, there are a lot of ways to remove the camera lock, but we also do not recommend that unprepared “hackers” go into this jungle, much less purchase a device that was obviously used by “specialists” no better than you.
Remember!Not all iPhones sold in online mobile and mobile stores household appliances are “white”. Quite the contrary: most of these devices were imported into the country illegally and in some cases were even reconfigured to work in Russia. Therefore, vigilance and pickiness are your basic shopping rules of conduct.
Which iPhone do you use - white or gray? Test the device according to the instructions above and write the result in the comments! If “gray”, were there any problems with it, and if so, what were they and how were they resolved? We will be glad to receive any feedback.
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Elizabeth
Without a twinge of conscience, I ask for “phone numbers” from guys and girls I don’t know well. To check whether the lock button fits comfortably under your finger and whether the autofocus works quickly :) I would like to visit MWC and conduct a live blog from the thick of things.
What are the differences and what are the risks?
Differences
True story:
I bought a “gray” iPhone at store N, but the speaker in it was damaged. I wanted to send it in for repair under warranty, but the store no longer exists.
Such stories are not uncommon now. Even large online stores are closing down, as due to exchange rate fluctuations it has become almost impossible to work.
So it turns out that I wanted to save a couple of thousand, but in the end I paid much more.
So which is better to buy an iPhone now: PCT or Eurotest?
When iPhone turns into PCT
Just a moment. PCT- this is a generally accepted, but not entirely correct designation for such devices. In fact they are called E.A.C..
Apple has iPhones for different markets, including Russian. However, it becomes “white”, thereby “PCT”, after it has passed internal certification in the Russian Federation and customs control.
What does this give us?
– Full guarantee on the territory of Russia;
– You do not support the “gray” market.
Typically, officially imported EAC iPhones are a little more expensive than “gray” devices, but you can rest easy knowing that in the event of an emergency you will not be denied a warranty.
EAC iPhone is your bro.
The so-called “gray” iPhone is imported into the country unofficially, without going through customs (and therefore without paying duty). Yes, it is a little cheaper than EAC, but you buy a smartphone at your own peril and risk. Especially now.
What is the risk
As you already understood, the main difference is guarantee. So what, you say. But I’ll save money normally, “and the PCT is for fools.”
Yes, that was the case until recently. But now the market situation is such that it is difficult for numerous online stores to compete with official resellers. Small shops are closing because the exchange rate has become simply unaffordable. And who to go to next if the office no longer exists, and there is a problem with the device?
The unstable exchange rate made buying “gray” iPhones a pointless idea, since you can’t beat the price. Let's say this is the price for an iPhone 6s 64 GB in re:Store.
But the average price for the same iPhone in Yandex Market.
The difference is minimal, so why this fake saving?
How will it end
If it breaks, you'll be left with a problem iPhone, but you'll save a couple of thousand. Is it necessary?
For example, replacing the display module on an iPhone 6 will cost 10 thousand rubles. And for iPhone 6s – 19 thousand rubles. Quite an overpayment, right?
Eventually
Not now better times for the "gray" market. And, as always, the buyer suffers. By buying non-EAC equipment, you are essentially playing the lottery.
Therefore, it is better to go to a store with a good reputation and registration "Premium Reseller".
In my city it's re:Store– the largest Apple Premium Reseller network in Russia. A store that will always help you and will not refuse free warranty service.
Here you can save:
- nerves, because there is insurance + that protects against all problems of the device
- money, because you can take out installments without overpayment for a long time.
Why installments are good:
For example, take an iPhone 6s with 128 gigabytes. Installments for 12 months means you pay 6,249 rubles per month. You don’t overpay a single percentage or a penny more. Don't worry about the price increase that will happen.
Or here's an option. Upgrade your Mac: get a MacBook Pro 13″ with Retina display. The newest one for only 8,582 rubles per month. A powerful laptop for work and entertainment, for which you no longer need to save endlessly.
We’ll tell you more about insurance and installment plans. In the meantime, save your nerves, money and time. Shop at trusted places that won't close tomorrow.
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