Iphone 7 grey. “Gray” iPhone: how to recognize a counterfeit and why is the official iPhone better? Is the Apple warranty valid for "gray" iPhones?

If at iPhone sales called gray, then in most cases we are not talking about the color of the case, but the degree of legality of import this device to the territory of the country. How to determine a "gray" smartphone and what consequences the acquisition of such a gadget may entail - we understand the material below.

A few years ago, for the majority of domestic users, the difference between the “gray” and “white” (official) iPhone was determined solely by the cost, and the average Russian or a resident of the near abroad considered buying a smartphone from unofficial resellers (in the common people “dealers” or “hucksters”) economy. In fact, the use of an illegally sold device can be justified from an economic point of view, however, gray is different from gray, and buying iPhone is better taking into account the recommendations below.

What is a "gray" iPhone

In order to officially sell the iPhone in Russia or any other country in the world, you need to conclude a contract with Apple, pay the customs fee, get certified and obtain all permits. Naturally, official dealers who have spent time and money on 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 clicking on this link.

However, not every batch of smartphones is worth going through all the circles of bureaucratic hell and paying customs fees. It is not difficult for many who want to make money to smuggle several (or several dozen) iPhones across the border from nearby European or Asian countries, and the final price of such a device for the buyer is usually 20% (give or take) below the market price.

It is important to understand that we are talking about brand new original Apple smartphones. About how to determine Chinese fake we talked in detail, but about used iPhones sold under the guise of refurbished -. 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,

"Gray" iPhone is ordinary original Apple smartphone, but which has not passed the certification procedure for the country in which it is imported after sale. Usually "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.

Is the Apple warranty valid for "gray" iPhones?

It is not possible to legally oblige Apple to repair warranty smartphones imported from abroad - the company does not undertake to repair devices for objective reasons due to technical restrictions in different countries. For example, China uses different communication standards than European ones. At the same time, to prove that a screen breakage or battery marriage LTE frequency not related hardly possible

However, Apple's internal policies do not invalidate the existence of consumer protection law. If you bought a "white" or "gray" iPhone from legal entity(online store) on the territory of Russia, you have the right to make claims to it within two years from the date of purchase. Naturally, in the presence of a sales receipt.

It should be noted that starting from 2019 some Gray iPhones covered by a one-year (1 year) Apple warranty in Russia. In case of problems, you will need to contact an official Apple reseller. In the same time, guarantee period on the "white" (official) iPhone is 2 years.

Here is a list of relevant 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 global warranty, the duration of which is one year, while the device purchased from an authorized dealer can be serviced free of charge for two years.

Benefits of a Gray iPhone

The main and often decisive advantage for the buyer gray iPhone compared to legally imported 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 of the "gray" iPhone during operation

In most cases, the use of a "gray" iPhone does not cause any problems, but this is due only 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 poor quality communication and even the lack 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 illegally entering the country. This is a very difficult, but feasible, from a technical point of view, task.

Perhaps the most significant problems can lead to the purchase of " gray "carrier iPhone(aka: "locked", "locked", contract, tied to the operator, SIM-lock, etc.). Such a smartphone only works with a SIM card of a certain operator in the country where the purchase was made.

In addition to the cases described above, the “gray” iPhone can also provide less serious troubles to its owner. For example, a plug for connecting an adapter charger to the power grid is different in many countries. This means that it is impossible to connect a British or, for example, an American iPhone to a domestic outlet using standard charging 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 bought in the Emirates will not support FaceTime video calls, a Japanese smartphone will not allow you to turn off the camera sound, and a “European” will limit the maximum volume in headphones (Apple has no restrictions for Russia yet).

Eventually:

The best "gray" iPhone for a Russian user is an iPhone, brought from the European Union. The device is virtually identical to official smartphone Apple, made for Russia, except for the lack of a two-year warranty and a maximum volume limit.

How to distinguish a "gray" iPhone from a "white" one

Naturally, the store will not let you unpack the iPhone, but the box itself will help you easily distinguish the “white” iPhone from the 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 a mark “RR”, “RS” or “RU”.

For example, an iPhone model identifier 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 settings "white" iPhone:

Screenshot of gray iPhone settings from Poland:

Faking all these insignias 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 the iPhone.

If you are negotiating to purchase an iPhone from your hands, 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 → Main → About this device) and on the box.

More details about iPhone verification online we told in .

Eventually:

If you need a uniquely “white” iPhone, then buy only in large retail chains and in stores of official resellers: Svyaznoy, M.video, re:Store, on the Apple website, etc. Such an iPhone has the characters "RR", "RS", or "RU" at the end of the model ID, which can be found in iOS settings or on the back of the package.

Conclusion

Gray iPhone really helps save money in case of concluding a deal with a respectable seller, which does not hide the origin of the device, did not activate it and did not replace accessories, packaging, sales receipt. IN otherwise, 10-25% savings can result in undesirable consequences, loss of time, nerves and money.

Every time Apple presents a new line, the hearts of buyers freeze in anticipation. Most users are not so much in anticipation of the new content of the smartphone as they expect changes in design, colors and style. After all, when a brand new smartphone falls into the hands of the first thing they pay attention to is its appearance. About the iPhone 7 and the choice of color for it, design changes and new colors, we will tell you in this article.

The color scheme of iPhones has always been a line of strict and, at the same time, elegant shades that will suit both a child and a businessman. By adhering to this rule all the time, Apple has been able to achieve success and win the hearts of users not only with the quality of the product, but also with the help of its beauty and sophistication.

How the colors of the iPhone have changed

Starting from the first successful model - iPhone 3G and up to iPhone 5 inclusive, the color scheme of Apple smartphones remained unchanged, only black and white and very few changes in design. Revolutionary in terms of color was the release of the iPhone 5c, then they came out immediately in five colors - white, yellow, green, blue and pink. After that, the company returned to the release of more classic shades, adding a new golden shade or “champagne” in another way. So the iPhone 5s has already been released in three colors. The iPhone SE was the first smartphone to be released in four colors - space grey, gold, silver and the new color " pink gold”, in this line they also abandoned the usual black. This color layout existed before the release of the modern flagship - iPhone 7. What colors has this line prepared for us?

iPhone 7 colors

So what is the iPhone 7 and the colors given to us to choose from? The new seven came out in five colors - silver, gold, "rose gold", matte black, which replaced the "space gray" and the new "black onyx". Each of these colors is unique and beautiful in its own way when you hold the phone in your hands. Thus, you can always choose the color that best suits you. It is worth noting that in this collection the company decided to return to black, using new colors and all shades of black.

"Black Onyx"

"Black Onyx" - This is a novelty in the colors of Apple phones. The name of this phone speaks for itself, because in nature onyx is a beautiful expensive stone. Surely the name has the meaning that your smartphone is in no way inferior to natural creations in beauty. There is a lot of discussion about this new color. When you hold it in your hands, you get the impression that it is very expensive and elite.

Its body is made more durable and ultra-smooth. The entire body is polished to a mirror, which makes it unsurpassedly beautiful. But unfortunately there is one big minus - its gloss, being in hands, very quickly loses its presentability and becomes dirty. There is even an overview on the Internet on how to get it dirty. So the use of such a phone in everyday life is directly related to the purchase of a special case - without it, it is nowhere.

Matte black

The seventh iPhone also came out in a new beautiful matte solution. This color is undoubtedly the most “masculine” solution in this collection. When you pick up this phone, you get the feeling that this is the most expensive and stylish gadget that can become not only additional functionality, but simply a part of your life. It is this coloring that is the most practical of the newly introduced. Despite his "brutality", he looks good in the female hand.

"Pink gold"

The much-loved rose gold, which became a hit with the release of sixes, has become an integral part of this collection. According to statistics, this phone is to the taste not only of women and children, for whom it is designed in the first place, but also of men. Plastic inserts that act as antennas are in great harmony with the logo in the center of the case, and the modified camera immediately makes it clear that you are a happy owner of an iPhone seven.

Gold

This color has already become an integral part of any release of smartphones from Apple. The shade that has taken root in the countries of Asia and Europe looks very noble and expensive. Although the white stripes will be seen much more strongly on its body, this does not interfere with the eye and blends flawlessly with the design.

The only question that may arise is whether the color will be erased from the antennas over time? But since the coating of phones in this line is much better and of better quality, you should definitely not expect problems with chips and scratches. Choosing a golden smartphone is a good way to mark the use of high-end products.

Silver

The silver color of the case is the standard among the colors of iPhones. It has been unchanged for many releases in a row. This color is suitable for those who do not like celebrations and pomposity, but prefer more traditional solutions and timeless elite design. The smartphone in this solution is recognized as the most practical. It will be the least visible stripes of antennas and over time, it is the least susceptible to environmental influences. Even if you use the phone without a special case, over time, chips and scratches are the least visible on it.

What color to choose?

All colors of smartphones are unique in their own way. Whatever color is chosen, each has its own characteristics and they are all beautiful in their own way. "Rose gold" will ennoble your everyday world with a pleasant shade of celebration, gold will add wealth and pomposity, gray will not distract from business, but will give them severity, and you will be purposeful, matte black will give rigor and self-confidence, and the new "Black Onyx" will attract the attention of others and complement your unique image. The iPhone color you choose will only complement your everyday life something wonderful.

Contents of delivery

• Smartphone
• power unit
• USB cable
• Headphone adapter
• EarPods
• SIM ejector
• Documentation, stickers

Design, construction

Perhaps the most interesting thing about the new iPhones is not even the numerous improvements, features, but the appearance of black colors - a simple matte and smooth Jet Black. The story of the latter is especially interesting, but first, a little about how “black onyx” is created. The body of the device is machined from a single piece of aluminum, as you can see, the protruding and clinging bezel of the camera is gone, now there is a small rounded protrusion, in real life using the device has become more convenient. I always carry an iPhone in my pocket and have already managed to evaluate new design. If earlier I pulled out a smartphone along with a wallet, now this does not happen. The antennas, as you can see, are hidden at the ends, as for reception, there seem to be no obvious changes, I will test further. It seems to me that if you hold a smartphone in your hand, then in areas with poor reception it can be worse than the iPhone 6S. There are no problems on the street.

So, the basic set of colors is the usual: gold, rose gold, silver. All of them are familiar, girls and fashionistas will like the pink version, someone chooses gold, but many immediately take into sight black matte or black glossy, aka Jet Black, aka "black onyx".

It is created as follows: first, the case is anodized (nine levels), then polished using a special technology. The smartphone has a special packaging, a completely black box, boxes with ordinary iPhone white. I chose Jet Black, firstly, because the color is clearly the most interesting, and secondly, I want to see how the coating behaves in everyday life. Despite the crying on the net, I note this - prints appear, scratches are possible, but all this is such nonsense compared to appearance devices. Looks amazing! Reminds both glass and ceramics at once, evokes memories of Nokia Luna and black Nokia 8800 - remember, with such a deep color? Believe me, among other "sevens" it is Jet Black that is perceived as a luxury smartphone, although in terms of functionality it is no different from its counterparts. There is a terrible shortage of such devices in Russia and in the world, you won’t be able to go in and buy from the street for many, many more months, in Russia on the gray market the top iPhone 7 Plus Jet Black cost about 400,000 rubles (and then you have to look). So, if you have the opportunity to buy just such a device, skip all the rumors and articles about a terribly easily soiled smartphone by. Marky, yes. But there has never been such an iPhone - it's just something.

Yes, other tips are especially depressing - wrap Jet Black in a case, in a rag, seal it with a film, this is the worst thing that can be done with the iPhone 7. Especially for diligent users, I will prepare material about the best smartphone cases (for Plus), but that's all -I advise you to go without cases, especially in the case of "black onyx".

By the way, plain black and Jet Black differ not only in shade, but also in tactile sensations. The first one is velvety, there are no traces of use on the matte body, that is, it is a kind of antipode, a neat dream, it will be very popular in Russia. Whereas Jet Black is smooth, not slippery, but smooth. For a couple of days of active use, the smartphone did not fly out of my hands, although I already had a chance to wet it, take it with greasy hands while cooking, and mock me in other ways. The Jet Black surface is easy to clean from marks. Sometimes you confuse the sides, trying to look for the Home button on the back. It looks like this will be normal soon.

As you know, Apple abandoned the mechanical Home button, as always, the company is a revolutionary in a variety of areas - while others are thinking of stealing from Apple, Apple is coming up with something else new. Why did they remove the mechanics, an inquisitive reader will ask. After all, for so many years the button has pleased us with a pleasant “clatter”! The button was removed for several reasons. Any moving parts, "mechanics" - extra production costs, plus users break buttons with strong hands, come to the service, all this is a disaster. In addition, this is probably due to the protection against water and dust. Apple doesn't do charity, Apple does business. Minus the button there, minus the connector here, that's savings in production! It's about millions of devices. How does the button behave in real life? After activating the device, you adjust the response level, three steps: weak, medium, strong, I set it to strong. Not even vibration goes to the finger, but a pleasant touch from the other side, all actions remain the same, however, during the first hours you will need to get used to quickly “tapping” twice to call running applications. And for a “soft” reboot, a different scheme is now applied, you need to hold the volume down button and the power button.

In everyday life, the Taptic Engine button has both pros and cons. Pros - no need to physically press to enter. Here, as before, there is a fingerprint sensor, it works instantly, there are very few errors, I advise you to assign several fingers to unlock for greater convenience. Cons - if you're used to a physical button and can't put up with the new stuff, then you should stay with the iPhone 6/6S.

Further, most likely, it will be even more interesting. Apple may well remove all the buttons from the case. Touch panels on the ends, automatic volume control, multiple assignments for the Home button, tapping, strong and weak touches - that's what will happen in the near future with the iPhone. You can laugh, you can judge, but before you do that, take a look at the iPhone 7 Home button. You know, it works great!

The rejection of the 3.5 mm jack occurred for the same reasons. Minus one element - plus space, plus protection from water, dust, plus a boost to the entire stagnant industry wired headphones, plus a push for Bluetooth. Apple knows how to cut off the excess very well.

Every year I choose Plus because of the display size and camera capabilities, my smartphone replaces both a tablet and a phone - iPad Pro sometimes it helps, but more often I even write posts on my blog with iPhone(Mobile WordPress is very happy). But I wouldn’t recommend such a device to every person, it’s too healthy. Dimensions - 158.2 x 77.9 x 7.3 mm, weight - 188 grams, it seems heavier than the iPhone 6S Plus, in fact - 4 grams lighter. You can see a comparison of all current iPhones.

Water protection

Immediately after the start of use, a different design of the SIM card slot (nanoSIM), Lightning connector attracts attention. The first one does not seem to go to the end, there is no familiar click. Well, the plugs in the connector sit very tightly, some have to be pulled out with effort. All this is due to gaskets and other features of the case, protected in accordance with the IP67 standard. What does it mean? This means that the smartphone should not be used in water, but it will withstand splashes if you pour it from a bottle, if you accidentally drop it into the pool and immediately get it. Essentially, this a basic level of protection. Surely the company will collect statistics, and the next device will have full protection against water, like a watch Apple Watch series 2.

But even the iPhone 7 is already undergoing unimaginable tests. He is drowned in cola, in soup, in tea, in coffee, frozen, diving - in general, no matter what tests they come up with for the amusement of the public. Despite incomplete protection, the device is able to withstand a lot - my friend and I bathed 7 Plus in a vase of water for about twenty minutes, took photos, called, nothing happened.

My advice to you - do not repeat all these nonsense. Still, this is not a professional device, and then you go to the service, not journalists. Heavy rain, games by the sea, the girls will surely like that after falling into the toilet, the iPhone 7 will continue to work as if nothing had happened. Friends in the services call this cause of failure the main one (if we talk about girls). Apparently, the toilet era is leaving, and this, of course, is good.

Please note that after being in the water, the device must be dried, do not charge for at least a couple of hours, do not dry with a hair dryer. Over time, the gaskets in the case may lose their qualities, so after a year or two of use, I do not advise you to wet the seven strongly.

I hope that you will do everything wisely regarding the iPhone 7 and water.

Warranty for gray devices

With the start of sales in the world, a trickle of iPhone 7/7 Plus poured into Russia from other countries. If you decide to buy a smartphone from the US or Europe, then I urge you not to engage in nonsense. Firstly, why support the gray market if official sales are about to start? Secondly, the world warranty for the iPhone 7/7 Plus is not valid in Russia, Apple is not at all interested in changing your device to a new one (or changing large components) and, it turns out, paying tax for the device that was brought here unofficially. That is, if you break the screen of the beautiful Jet Black from the USA, we will not be able to fix it.

Display

The display of the "seven", on the one hand, retained the diagonal of the iPhone 6 / 6S Plus - 5.5 inches, on the other hand, acquired new qualities. To start - specifications:

• Retina display HD Wide Color (P3)
• 5.5" widescreen display backlit LED
• Multi-touch with IPS technology
• Resolution 1920x1080 pixels, 401 ppi
• Contrast ratio 1300:1 (typical)
• Brightness up to 625 cd/m² (typical)
• Dual domain pixels for wide viewing angle
• Oleophobic coating resistant to fingerprints
• Support for simultaneous display of multiple languages ​​and character sets
• Screen scaling
• Convenient access

On the iPhone 6S Plus, the oleophobic coating was erased after about six months of daily (and very active) use, I wonder how it will be here. I even had the idea to change the display completely - so bad without an oleophobic coating. Now that the iPhone is still new, everything is very good. As far as I can see, the brightness has seriously changed, the viewing angles have become better, the display has Feedback and now it has reached a new level. Previously, a strong press caused an additional menu of actions, now in a number of programs it is even better - the screen works in conjunction with the Taptic Engine. For example, when you set a timer and turn the wheel, it’s as if a gear moves under your fingertip, and memories of the “jog” in Sony phones. The feeling is very interesting and unexpected - in fact, it is not the screen that vibrates, but the motor below. The same effects are in some games and other programs. In general, traditionally for Apple, while some are chasing insane brightness and acidic colors, they work here at the level of emotions, sensations - it’s hard to give up these chips. And it’s also hard to reproduce it somewhere else - here the connection between hardware and software is at an incredible level.

If you suddenly decide to use films or glasses, I recommend Just Mobile products - there are almost imperceptible accessories with an interesting technology of "self-healing" scratches, they are tightened.

Audio

I’ll immediately tell you about the main thing, if you use the original Lightning adapter, then the control buttons and microphone work with any headset with MFi certification (Made for iPhone / iPad). That is, the CTIA pinout is reproduced in this small adapter. Moreover, a DAC was also found there, so a whole field for experiments begins here - especially for hybrid headphones that support both Bluetooth and cable connections. I think more and more accessory manufacturers will show adapters for Lightning, so a new necessary thing for Apple products has quietly appeared.

As for the EarPods with Lightning, it is a convenient and good mass product, it is very good to find such headphones in the kit. In general, good sound quality, easy control, very good microphone, it is quite possible to walk with such headphones every day, especially if you are not an audiophile.

I managed to try the iPhone 7 Plus with various products that were at hand, I will try to list and say something about it. The company is clearly hinting: my friend, use Bluetooth more often!

• Bose QC35, I hope, now it is clear why the company made large noise-canceling headphones wireless - yes, yes, that's why. Let me remind you that these are one of the best hybrid headphones on the market, they have many advantages, the most important of which is an excellent active noise cancellation system. With the iPhone 7 Plus, it's great to use headphones during long flights, you can watch movies without any problems, the display diagonal allows.

• Creative sound blaster ROAR SR20A, although the horse is already old, it definitely won’t spoil the furrow! Moreover, now it costs only 11,990 rubles, some speakers of a lower class cost comparable money. Well, here - a chic sound, no wires, for the house the speaker can become the only music center. There is also sound recording, built-in microphones for talking, a megaphone and the ability to connect two speakers into a stereo pair. Cool thing, as it was, and remains, I highly recommend.

• Parrot Zik 2, also not the first freshness thing, but for the iPhone 7 Plus it is generally one of best headphones. Great software active noise cancellation, the sound quality can be adjusted to any extent, work for a long time in offline, touch control. Now somewhere great prices, Zik 3 is also worth considering, although they are more expensive. Parrot has an official store in Russia, there is something at interesting prices, check it out.

• Cambridge G5, there is an overview of the system on the website, in Russia the brand is still little known, but I personally like it - it’s quite a normal price, while the system simply plays great. And besides, it is available in the color "pink gold", for girls this is a godsend. I am very glad that I had a chance to get acquainted with this device - with the iPhone 7 Plus you can use it as the only music center for a small apartment.

• Naim Mu-So Qb, in my opinion, among compact systems, this one is the best in terms of functionality, sound, design, and features. The best, but also worth the price. Since there is AirPlay, the sound quality without a wire is excellent, although Bluetooth can also be used if desired. As you can see, another big plus is that you need little space for installation. And this is real Hi-Fi!

• Bang&Olufsen BeoPlay H5, I am finishing the review of the headphones, a very interesting thing, as if specially created for the seven. Beautiful design, great app with an interestingly designed equalizer preset system, convenient charging cradle, and, in general, you look at what a compact and cute device. There is no disappointment in terms of sound, everything is very good with the iPhone 7 Plus, I go with the H5 even more than I should - I'm already used to it. There is also a pink version for girls, green has recently been introduced. I plan to pay attention to all owners of sevens.

This, of course, is not all, I plan to prepare another material about audio for iPhone 7/7 Plus in the near future. Here I wanted to show new and old devices that are great for the new iPhones - at least I really like them all.

Shooting in the evening

First, the camera specifications:

• Dual camera 12 MP: with wide-angle and telephoto lens
• Wide Angle Lens: ƒ/1.8 aperture
• Telephoto: ƒ/2.8 aperture
• 2x optical zoom; 10x digital zoom
• Optical Image Stabilization
• Six-element lens, sapphire crystal lens protection
• Flash True Tone Quad-LED
• Panoramic shooting (up to 63 megapixels)
• BSI sensor, hybrid IR filter
• Autofocus with Focus Pixels, touch focus with Focus Pixels
• Live Photos with Image Stabilization
• Expanded color gamut for photos and Live Photos
• Advanced Tone Mapping, Face and Shape Detection
• Exposure control
• Noise suppression
• Auto power on HDR when taking photos
• Automatic Image Stabilization
• Continuous shooting, timer mode, linking photos to the shooting location

I received the device yesterday afternoon, while I transferred the data, by the time I arrived, it was evening. When looking at the photo, it may seem to you that it is light outside, but in fact, of course, it is not - it was dark outside. All the photos were taken at seven or eight o'clock, and I was surprised at how the lens of the device literally sucks in the remnants of light - a kind of vampirism.

Shooting at night

"Gray" is the name of equipment imported into Russia illegally, bypassing customs and institutions that control the quality of goods distributed throughout the Russian Federation. The budget thus remains without paying tax, but is there any difference for the buyer - after all, the model is working, and even more so it costs less than the official one!

Until recently, one could say: “Yes, it is wiser 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 an answer to this question, we 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 also has not been canceled. If you found a suitable iPhone on APORT, check if the store selling it is on the list of official Apple resellers (read about them below).

What is the Apple Warranty?

If from the moment iPhone activation no more than one year has passed, you can change everything - from a display with burnt pixels to a sinking or “crunchy” Home key. Free, fast and high quality. In official Apple service centers in Russia. Sounds good, right?

In warranty service, however, there are pitfalls. So, for example, if you use the iPhone for more than a year, regardless of whether you decide to go the honest way - you bought official equipment in Russia, or you use an equally honestly purchased device brought from afar, you still have to pay the bills.

For some Apple gadgets, the rule “we only repair what is bought in Russia” does not apply. So, service centers(SC) accept for service and purchased both in the Russian Federation and in Europe.

Important!We are only talking 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. Among them are iPhone 5 smartphones, which can be replaced under warranty by the lock button (only the A1429 model is serviced) or a defective battery, because it was in these components that the company identified a massive factory defect.

Among and also there were defective parties. Users of these smartphones have experienced problems with the iSight rear camera, and if you are among those with the main module taking blurry photos and nothing is being treated, goover hereand check if your phone is on the list of models to be repaired free of charge.

Important!Apple clarifies that this special program Warranty coverage only applies to models sold from September 2014 to January 2015.

Read more about the Apple 1 Year Limited Warranty here. .

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 trained by Apple), can also be exchanged for new ones. If the “one-year rule” no longer applies to you, and the cost of repairs is high, or if you simply want to upgrade your Apple park, you can do this with officially imported equipment. With a surcharge, of course: to exchange the old for a new one.

Check your iPhone

If you are in doubt about which iPhone you are using - gray or white - it is easy to bring it to clean water by going through here this link . Enter on the page serial number hardware equipment - we check the smartphone for the right to service and support.

The serial number is printed on the body of the device, and you can also find it by tapping Settings - Main - About thisdevice.

How to distinguish the official iPhone from the “gray” one?

Just a few steps - and you are at the goal. The first thing to do is to carefully inspect the packaging. New iPhone should 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:

1. At the end of the RR code of the product, “…RS/A” must be indicated.
2. The sticker should bear the sign of RosTest (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 should be a sign of compliance with European quality standards.

And in general, you can start checking the “reliability” of the iPhone by whether the seller of this device is on the list of official Apple resellers. It can be done .

The box must contain:

1. Clip. Believe it or not, some smuggled and counterfeit iPhones can come to you with very modest bundles - just an iPhone, no instructions, no charger, no paper clip.
2. Instruction and warranty card in Russian.
3. Charger with a plug for Russian electrical networks. Often counterfeit iPhones come to Russia from the USA, and there, as you know, there are not the same plugs as we have.
4. Complete with Apple smartphones, which are officially sold in Russia, also come with headphones (Apple EarPods are included with the iPhone 6s, iPhone 6 and iPhone 5s).

Well, for additional reinsurance, you can go to Settings - Main - 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 on the screen there is a phrase starting with “Unfortunately, this serial number ...”, either double-check the correctness of the entered number, or bypass this merchant.

Fakes - namely fakes - are very easy to determine by trying to enter from this device into App Store. An inexperienced buyer, who has never seen the real one, sometimes comes across the fact that he is being sold an Android copy under the guise of an iPhone. No matter how good the fake is, an attempt to enter the App Store will somehow end up going to Google Play market.

Another reliable program is iTunes. If your smartphone refuses to enter it and the program is treacherously silent on attempts to launch, save yourself: you have come across a fake.

Unlocked smartphone from the USA

A flimsy tactic of how to buy an iPhone cheaper is to take an unlocked model, i.e. buy a re-flashed iPhone, previously designed to work with a SIM card of a foreign operator. Outwardly, you may not distinguish this phone from the real one (on back cover some devices overseas operators mobile networks engrave their logo, but our craftsmen have learned to cope with this too). But when it comes to software updates, unforeseen problems can happen.

According to reviews, unlocked devices refuse to update or update incorrectly. Moreover, they are not covered under warranty.

Yes, there are a lot of ways to remove the operator lock, but we also do not recommend unprepared “hackers” to climb into these jungles, and even more so to purchase a device in which not the best “specialists” are obviously hacking.

Remember!Not all iPhones sold in online mobile and household appliances are "white". Quite the contrary: most of these devices were imported into the country illegally and in some cases even re-flashed to work in Russia. Therefore, vigilance and pickiness are your main buying rules of conduct.

And which iPhone do you use - white or gray? Check the device according to the instructions above and write the result in the comments! If “gray”, were there any problems with it, if so, which ones and how were they solved? We will be glad to any feedback.

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Elizabeth

Without a twinge of conscience, I ask "telephone number" from unfamiliar guys and girls. In order to check whether the lock button fits comfortably under the finger and whether autofocus works quickly :) I would like to visit MWC and keep a live blog from the thick of things.