How to distinguish a wire from an original iPhone. FAIL Bought a Chinese Lightning cable
True, before you go shopping, try for the iPhone with your own hands. To do this, you will need heat-shrinkable tubing, a lighter, and electrical tape. Restoration does not require knowledge of electrical engineering and will take a few minutes.
The second advice is addressed to those whom the breakdown has not yet found. Do not expect trouble and do it in half an hour. Yes, you will have to tinker longer, but pride in the result will remain with you forever. In addition to 30 minutes, you will have to stock up on synthetic thread for knitting, scissors and glue - again, nothing tricky.
Now directly to the cables. Let's start with Chinese goods presented on the most popular trading floors. We will focus on customer reviews and the credibility of sellers. This reduces the chance that your new Lightning cable won't work or will last a negligible amount of time. There is no full guarantee. But the price justifies the risk.
Then we will go through certified products, after connecting which you definitely will not see the inscription "This accessory is probably not supported." We will order from the USA through intermediaries. Of course, you will have to pay extra for services and delivery, which will affect the final cost of the purchase. However, you will get a high quality cable for years to come. And there, maybe Apple will completely abandon wired charging.
China
The Garas Magnetic Cable magnetic tip helps to put the phone on charge almost blindly: just find the input jack and bring the cable to it. A useful option if you connect the power in the dark.
The seller added to the product description several certificates from BCTC Technology, which, according to her, is a world leader in testing industrial and consumer products. Based on this, it can be assumed that the cable corresponds to required level security. The price jumps from 295 to 564 rubles, depending on the color.
Ugreen was founded in 2004. Since then, engineers and marketers have been working according to the principle "Quality is the basis of an international brand." Judging by customer reviews, words do not diverge from deeds and we have good cables of various lengths and colors, the price of which starts from 317 rubles.
Note that Ugreen has a warehouse in Russia, which means that you can use "AliExpress local delivery". The cable will arrive to you in 2-10 days.
Young Chinese entrepreneurs from Mcdodo are focusing on sophisticated design. The company feels the needs of the market and offers fashion accessories with a corporate identity. The Mcdodo Denim Lightning Data Cable is a prime example of this. A good denim fabric is used as a braid here.
In addition to visual beauty, the cable has a long service life. The manufacturer's internal tests have shown that it will withstand up to 10,000 connections. For a cool thing, they ask for only 302 rubles.
Flexible Charging iPhone Holder Cable
The 50 cm cable stand will be an interesting addition to your workplace, and will also be useful to motorists who use the phone as a . In theory, the metal shell and its coating should be wear-resistant. However, just in case, you should look at the black version.
Unfortunately, nothing is really known about the manufacturer, you have to rely on the seller's rating. The holder will cost you 122 rubles.
You might think that for 131 rubles, Chinese dodgers will slip a cord 10 cm long and no more. But no, for such modest money they offer quite a convenient one-meter cable with a nylon winding.
Of course, the bargain price hints at a catch, but the average score of 4.9 points from 465 buyers dispels doubts.
Remax is a young ambitious company from Hong Kong whose accessories are widely known in the Asian region. And no wonder, because it focuses not only on a bright appearance, but also on functionality. For example, the product line has a hybrid cord for simultaneously charging two gadgets with microUSB and Lightning interfaces.
Remax does not forget about pleasant little things. For example, cable connectors are covered with a sheath, so that dirt does not get into them. And all this for 290 rubles.
USA
First on the list and first, according to experts. This is a really cool Lightning cable at an affordable price, which has been chosen by almost 450 users. It charges quickly and transmits data quickly. The cable sheath is made of bulletproof aramid fiber. The stress points at the ends withstand over 5,000 bends, which means they are much more durable than comparable products.
The color scheme also did not let us down: black, white, red and gold. The cost of a cable 90 cm long is 1,178 rubles.
According to the owners, the ZYD Cable is slightly stiffer and heavier than the original. However, this is a very insignificant price to pay for a long service life: the shell can withstand over 4,000 bends.
The black and gray design will not be to everyone's liking. First of all, because of the memories of Soviet irons. At the same time, it is impossible not to note the quality materials. Durable nylon braid prevents tangling while premium copper wire provides fast charging and data synchronization. The price for a set of two 1.8-meter cables does not exceed $10.
Ventev specializes in the development of intelligent products for power backup systems. Don't forget about accessories in Ventev. In addition to protective ones for the iPhone, the company launched the production of Lightning cables. They feature a stylish flat design.
Unfortunately, there are almost no details on the site. The only thing we are assured of is that the cable will charge the device at maximum speed. The price is 928 rubles.
Fuse Chicken Titan Cable
Hiking option for harsh conditions. The cable is protected by two layers of flexible high-strength steel, so neither a vandal child nor a cute pet can harm it.
To prove his words, the manufacturer recorded a video in which the Lightning cord can withstand the weight of an adult, chainsaw teeth and other sophisticated bullying. The cost of "the coolest cable in the world" is not small - 2,499 rubles per 90 cm.
Lifetime warranty under normal use - Zus doesn't care about the durability of its products. The cord is protected from accidental splitting and everyday wear and tear with aramid yarns used in the aerospace and military industries.
It is noteworthy that the USB port is located at a right angle. Thanks to this, it can be connected even in cramped conditions. They charge $20 for convenience. Cable length - 1.2 m.
Size matters. The axiom is also relevant for iPhone chargers. A 3 m long cord will give you freedom of movement within the same room. At the same time, the cable can be wound up and fixed in a folded state with Velcro.
The ends of the wire are enclosed in an aluminum sheath, which increases the lifespan and also reduces electromagnetic interference to a minimum. The price tag will not please everyone: $ 35.
A simple alternative to Apple's Lightning wire. The lightweight, compact cable doesn't seem to stand out. However, due to the classic design, it can be used if your iPhone case has a small charging slot. Many analogues simply would not fit.
Apparently, the bright colors are aimed at a youth audience. In addition to the classic white and black, there are yellow, pink, blue and green. The cost is also "student": $ 7 per meter length.
The following incident prompted me to write this article. At the time of its appearance, there was a large deficit. It was practically impossible to buy this accessory separately, but it was still necessary to work with the devices, as customers with new products were slowly starting to catch up.
We ordered several original cables and bought on the spot, one non-original one of rather tolerable quality in order to exploit it while our order was on its way to us. The cable itself worked fine - the iPhone 5 and iPad 4 were detected correctly, the iPhone Configuration Utility read data from them without any errors. Until the need arose to charge the iPad 4.
During charging, the plastic casing of the Lightning connector melted. After the cable cooled down, it continued to work and the devices synced normally, but stopped charging. It should be noted that the iPad 4, during charging of which this incident occurred, was not affected.
Scarification of a non-original Lightning cable.
When opening the cable, there was a small printed circuit board with a six-legged key, whose origin and purpose could not be determined, and a transistor that burned out. The iPad 4 itself, which was being repaired by us, had a problem in the charge circuit battery. This was probably the reason for the excessive load on the transistor and its subsequent failure.
iPad 4 on the original cable, even with a defective battery charge circuit, charged normally. After the preparation of a fake and its careful external examination, it was possible to determine a list of signs with which everyone can distinguish an original accessory from a fake and protect themselves from such a case, which I cited as an example.
1. Packing Lightning cable
So, the first thing we pay attention to when buying a cable is its packaging. The original box is made of thick cardboard with high quality printing. At the bottom there is a sticker with the characteristics of the accessory and the batch number. A plastic hanger is glued on the top of the package, with the help of which the box is hung on the display window in the store.
The photo shows the plastic hanger (torn off) of the original Lighttning wrapping. The box with non-original accessories does not have such a mount.
A great example of a box from a non-original cable. The top picture shows that the batch number sticker is missing, while the bottom picture shows that the plastic hanger has been replaced with a regular cardboard hanger. The build quality of the box is poor.
In fakes, the quality of the box is always noticeably worse. Softer cardboard, printing Low quality, the absence of a sticker on the bottom end of the box (information is applied using printing) and a plastic hanger, which is usually replaced by a cardboard one. Examples of fakes are shown below.
2. The Chinese are so sloppy
After we take the cable out of the package, we should pay attention to how it is laid. The original cable is folded into a neat ring or oval-shaped bay. Moreover, the wire is neatly laid. Non-original cables are often folded haphazardly. In the photo you can see a significant difference in styling.
At the top of the photo is the original cable, taken out of the box with the iPhone 5. At the bottom is a fake. Pay attention to the USB connector. On the original cable, it is neat and barely noticeable, and on the copy it is made extremely roughly.
The cable bay is in the form of an almost regular circle. original accessory.
3. The devil is in the details
Next, you can proceed to inspect the cable itself. Let's start with the USB connector. The USB logo is applied to the plastic case. On the original cable, the paint has a light gray color and the pattern is applied very neatly. On the copy, the drawing is applied in dark gray paint and has fuzzy borders.
USB connector. Top is original, bottom is replica. The USB emblem and the stamping of the connector on the original accessory are noticeably neater, unlike the copy.
The connector itself is also quite remarkable. Its outer part in the original cable has only two holes on the side with the USB logo. The fake contains four. It is worth paying attention to the metal joints on the opposite side of the connector. You can see it, but in the original cable, the parts are very tight to each other. What can you say about a copy. There seam is not so neat.
4. Lightning connector and its clone
Now you can move on to inspecting the Lightning connector. The original accessory has a one-piece plug, while the copy consists of several parts. In addition, the original metal tip is very neatly pressed into the plastic casing, while the copy has clearly visible gaps.
On top of the plug on the original cable, on the bottom - on a fake. On an Apple-made cable, the body of the plug is monolithic, without joints and traces of the fact that it is made of fragments. The fake, apparently, is made of parts.
A fresh continuation of the review has been released -.
The circus tent is back! Last time it was with micro-USB cables. But users and adherents of the true faith were upset that Lightning cables for Apple devices did not participate in circus performances. Only today and for the first time in Runet, sixteen cable artists will show your iPhone, iPad and iPod a performance with horses. After the performance, pride will overwhelm someone, and someone will throw their cable into the trash can out of anger, but no one will leave indifferent.
Someday you will come across what your original Lightning cable from Apple, with frequent use, it will tear near the Lightning connector. Nothing personal just business. And the accessories business can be very lucrative. What could be easier than buying the same original Apple cable as a replacement? You go to a store or store website and see that an Apple cable costs from 1200 rubles ($19 in an official American store). This price will make someone wonder why a piece of wire is so expensive? At the same time, dozens of Lightning cables from other manufacturers, both famous and nameless, lie nearby, costing from 150 rubles to several thousand. There are hundreds, if not thousands, of manufacturers who produce such cables under different brands. Chinese shoppers will find that all major Chinese marketplaces offer Lightning cables from 50 cents per kilo. Hundreds of options. And there's no end to the "100% New Original Genuine Real Authentic Apple Lightning" package with all stickers from $3 each. And what to choose?
Let's go from afar ... The rights to the Lightning connector belong to Apple. Third-party manufacturers legally cannot simply take and release a cable with such a connector and sell it in the future. To do this, you need to obtain authorization from Apple's MFi Manufacturing Licensees by fulfilling a number of requirements. Moreover, the manufacturer must pay Apple $4 for each Lightning connector, i.e. cable. It turns out that a certified MFi (Made for iPod, Made for iPhone, Made for iPad) cable cannot cost less than $4.
There are both certified and non-certified cables on sale. Moreover, the market is full of fakes for the most popular brands (for example, Apple, Belkin, etc.).
With non-certified Lightning cables, there is another caveat. An authentication chip is built into the Lightning connector, with which Apple tries to fight uncertified accessories. Previously, you could encounter the fact that the cable stopped working after iOS updates, the device reported an uncertified accessory. But Chinese manufacturers have long learned to get around this "problem", such messages have become rare. We will definitely check this in the review.
In the review, we will not be able to test all existing cables, there are hundreds or thousands of them. But a rough picture of the market will be possible. Let's try to formulate a general approach to buying Lightning cables.
Our test subjects...
Original cable from Apple (MFi)
Everyone is familiar with this cable. The cable is thin, medium rigidity. Length 1 meter. Let's call it "Apple".
A small recommendation for buying this cable. This is the most counterfeit Lightning cable. I wouldn't be surprised if there are more fakes sold than original cables. Sellers on eBay will be happy to sell you such a cable for $ 3 in branded packaging, given that in official store Apple costs $19. You need to buy such a cable only in an authorized store to reduce the risk of buying a fake.
Original cable from Apple after a couple of years of active use (MFi)
Without a torn cable, the test will be incomplete. Many users have seen this Apple products. The cable is absolutely working, but it does not look very nice. The test will show if the characteristics of the damaged cable change. Let's call it "Apple U".
One of the cheapest cables from Aliexpress
This cable was purchased on Aliexpress for $0.67 (40 rubles). He had a couple of tens of thousands of sales and a rating above 96%. By the time the article was published, the lot had been removed from the site (but there are plenty of similar lots). I met a similar cable with us offline. The cable is flat, very thin, even translucent. There are burrs on the plastic case. There are different colors. Length 1 meter. Let's call it Red.
We have already encountered a similar cable in the previous review, then it was micro usb cable CN4 is one of the worst cables in the test.
Cable KALUOS (MFi)
This cable is sold literally everywhere. It is present on all major trading platforms, even in popular and reputable non-Chinese online stores. It is found in our online and offline stores. It's cheap, I bought it for $3. The look and quality is just amazing. A thick cable of medium hardness, nylon braid, aluminum connector housing - when you take it in your hands, you get the feeling of a very high-quality and expensive product that you want to use. There are two colors: silver and gold. And two lengths. I specifically took the cable with the maximum length - 1.5 meters. Oddities arose with the MFi certification. MFi logos are indicated everywhere, but this brand is not in the Apple database. Let's call this cable "KALUOS".
Belkin cable (MFi)
The main problem with this cable is a huge number of fakes. Because the brand is incredibly popular, this cable has been hit by an army of fakes. It is very difficult to distinguish the original from the fake (even the packaging is completely copied). We cost from 500 rubles to several thousand. On different trading platforms from $2. In reputable online stores from $10. In the official store $ 19. I bought it on eBay for $4. Everything came in original packaging. The seller swore under an oath that the cable was original from Belkin. The cable is thick, medium hardness. Length 1.2 meters. Lightning connector as on MFi cables (cheap cables usually have a different connector). If it were not for the burrs on the body of the connectors, I would not have found a single reason (without knowing the price) to recognize this cable as a fake. Considering the price, there is no doubt that this is a fake cable. My recommendation - if you buy this cable, then only in branded and reputable stores. Otherwise, you can buy this cable for 1500 rubles, but in fact it will turn out to be a cable for $ 2, you will not be able to distinguish it yourself.
It is what it is. Let's call this cable "Belkin".
Cable Lemfo (MFi)
The cable is certified by MFi, is in the Apple database. And not just certified, but a complete copy of the original cable from Apple (the company provides a template). You can distinguish from the original Apple cable only by the lemfo logo and the absence of the inscription "Designed by Apple ..." on the cable itself. The same thickness, the same rigidity, the same connectors without differences. Length 1 meter. I bought it on JD for $10. The cable is sold in many other stores, for example, in Amazon it costs $8. Let's call it "Lemfo".
Cable from YourCharger
With cables from this manufacturer (seller on eBay) we have already met in the previous review. The long cable (2 meters) micro-USB was one of the best in the test. Now it's the turn of the Lightning cable. Length 2 meters. The cable is thick and very flexible. You can buy it only for $8. It is also available in white and different lengths, up to 5 meters. This cable is for charging only (all the wires inside are for power only), you cannot sync data with it. Let's call it "YourCharger".
SNOWKIDS cable (MFi)
Certified cable, present in the Apple database. The cable is thick, medium hardness. Connectors are massive. Length 1.3 meters. Feels like a quality product in the hand. I bought it from JD for $10. In China, you can buy it locally for $6. Included is a Velcro for cable management. Let's call it "Snowkids".
Nillkin cable
This cable has been recommended to me by many in the past. The brand is popular. Thousands of sales on many sites and a 100% buyer rating. I bought on Aliexpress for $4.5 from an authorized seller. I saw this cable offline in many places. Quality packaging with secret code to check originality (like Xiaomi). The cable is flat, thick and flexible. There are slight burrs on the connectors, but in the hands it feels like a very high quality product. Length of cable 1.2 meters. The cable has a strap for cable management. Various colors are available. The cable does not have MFi certification, it is not written anywhere and there is no brand on the base. Let's call him "Nillkin".
triple cable
This cable was already in the previous review, where it showed amazing results (for the micro-USB “tail”). Nameless cable, 23 cm. Triple - microUSB, Lightning, Apple 30-pin. Fabric braid. The thickness is medium, flexible. I bought it a few years ago for less than a dollar on eBay. Let's call it "Triple".
ESK Cable (MFi)
Certified MFi cable, present in the Apple database. But there are no labels or logos on the cable itself. A complete copy of the original cable from Apple (made according to the template). It is impossible to distinguish, only by the absence of the inscription "Designed by Apple ..." on the cable itself. Length 1 meter. I bought it from JD for $10. Let's call it "ESK".
Biaze cable (MFi)
I bought this cable on Aliexpress for $6. It was unnamed, just "certified by MFi cable", there were photos of "confirmation". Buyer rating 100%. Upon receipt, the Biaze logo was found on the cable. I did not find this brand in the Apple database. At first glance, it may seem that this is a 100% copy of the original Apple cable (made according to the template), but when compared, it turned out that the Biase cable is thinner. Length of cable 1 meter. Let's call him "Biaze".
Just cheap cable #1
I bought this cable for $0.62 on Aliexpress. The main task was to find the cheapest cable that is similar to the Apple cable. The most popular Lightning cable on Aliexpress - over forty thousand sales, buyer rating is above 95%. Not a cable, but a dream :). It looks like an Apple cable, but the differences are immediately visible. The connectors are different in detail, the cable itself is thinner. Length of cable 1 meter. Let's call it "Fake 1".
Just cheap cable #2
I bought this cable in Moscow in some shop for 200 rubles. I was just looking for the cheapest cable offline: "Give me the cheapest cable, charge the iPhone." It looks like an Apple cable, but the differences are immediately visible. The connectors are different in detail, the cable itself is thinner. Length of cable 1 meter. Let's call it "Fake 2".
Long cheap cable
I bought this cable a long time ago for $1 on eBay. Length of cable 2 meters(bought only for the sake of length). This cable and YourCharger are the longest in the review. The cable is similar to the cable from Apple, but the differences are immediately visible. The connectors are different in detail, the cable itself is thinner. Let's call it "Fake 3".
LG micro-USB cable and Lightning adapter
The cable from LG is one of the best micro-USB cables from the previous review and a small micro-USB to Lightning adapter. There are many different adapters (including certified ones). In this review, we will use the cheapest non-certified adapter for $0.5. Let's call the cable "LG".
Output power test
In the test, we will use the Tronsmart TS-UC5PC charger. This quality multi-port charger was recently featured in . Using the load module (dissipation power 10 W), we will check the output power of the cables. To charger connect the cable. Connect the Lightning to micro-USB adapter to the end of the cable. We connect the adapter to the tester, which has a micro-USB connector. This tester is not the best, but allows you to use the minimum number of adapters. Connect the load module to the tester itself.
The Lightning to micro-USB adapter will increase the resistance, but this is not important for us, because. All cables are tested under the same conditions.
The test results will show which cables have the lowest total resistance (wires themselves, connectors, soldering).
Connect the load module to the charger directly.
5.05 V, 1.89 A, i.e. 9.54 W.
Now let's connect the cables one by one and take measurements.
Apple: 4.52V, 1.69A, 7.64W.
Apple U: 4.41V, 1.65A, 7.26W.
RED: 3.6V, 1.34A, 4.82W.
Belkin: 4.18V, 1.57A, 6.56W.
YourCharger: 4.29V, 1.6A, 6.86W.
Nillkin: 4.40V, 1.64A, 7.22W.
Lemfo: 4.54V, 1.69A, 7.67W.
KALUOS: 3.95V, 1.47A, 5.8W.
Biaze: 4.21V, 1.57A, 6.60W.
Snowkids: 4.61V, 1.72A, 7.93W.
Fake 3: 3.2V, 1.19A, 3.81W.
Triple: 4.51V, 1.68A, 7.58W.
ESK: 4.20V, 1.56A, 6.55W.
Fake 1: 3.69V, 1.37A, 5.06W.
Fake 2: 4.09V, 1.52A, 6.22W.
LG: 4.38V, 1.63A, 7.14W.
Sort by output power and summarize in a single diagram. More is better.
Snowkids is the undisputed leader, he has the minimum resistance from those tested.
Measurements of the current strength when charging the iPad
We will use iPad mini(third generation) and measure the current output from the charger. iPad is almost empty. In an ideal situation, it should consume a current of 2 A.
Only 4 out of 16 cables provide 2.01A of current. All the others do not allow the iPad to consume maximum current. What does it mean? Roughly speaking, for example, with a RED cable your iPad will charge 2.25 times longer than with cables: Apple, Lemfo, Snowkids.
Current measurements when charging the battery pack
We will use a dead Yoobao battery pack and a Lightning to micro-USB adapter.
The more current, the better.
The picture with measurements of output power is completely repeated.
Compatibility test
I planned to make tables, but there was no need. During the entire testing period, there were no problems with any of the cables. Whichever side of the connector I connected them to the charger, neither the iPhone 6 nor the iPad reported that an uncertified accessory was connected. The devices were running iOS 9.2. The same was with the computer. iPhone and iPad were perfectly detected in iTunes and allowed to synchronize data. The only exception is the YourCharger cable, with it the computer did not see the device, because. The cable is for charging only.conclusions
From our test, only 4 out of 16 cables provide the maximum current for the iPad mini. Our heroes: Apple(MFI) Snowkids(MFI) Lemfo(MFi), triple cable.
Does the presence of the MFi logo guarantee that you will receive a cable maximum quality, which will ensure the charging of the device with the maximum current strength? It does not guarantee, but the chances of acquiring a quality cable increase.
Does the lack of MFi certification guarantee problems with charging or data transfer? Absolutely all cables from the review charged iPads and iPhones with iOS 9.2 without any problems without any reports of uncertified accessories. Absolutely all cables from the review provided a connection to personal computer to transfer data without warning.
If you need a cable and you are ready to easily part with 1500 rubles, then calmly buy the original cable Apple at any authorized store. You will get excellent quality (for a couple of years until it breaks again) without compromise.
If you want to buy a cable cheaper, then the general recommendations for buying are as follows (if you don’t clearly know which cable to buy):
- the MFi logo must be present on the package (Made for iPod, Made for iPhone, Made for iPad)
- make sure the brand is in
- the cable should cost more than $5 (including deductions and quality components)
Cable Snowkids is the absolute leader in the review. It outperformed all the cables in the review, including the original cable from Apple. With this cable, you can charge any Apple device with maximum power output, and with an adapter, you can easily charge any device without significant loss. The quality of the cable materials is excellent. The length is 1 meter 30 centimeters, which is longer than most Lightning cables. There is a Velcro for cable management. You can buy it on the site for $10.5 with express delivery to your door in Russia. I'm not a fan of JD (if anyone else remembers how I fought with them about leaking users' personal data), but now with the jd558 coupon, this cable can be bought for only $ 2.5. You will regret if you don't take advantage of this opportunity.
If you want to save some money, you can buy a cable Nillkin. It is not MFi certified. You will lose quite a bit in power output, but you will get a quality product. The cable is made of high quality materials, it is flat and does not get tangled. You can choose the color you like. There is a cable management strap. This cable costs from $ 4, we have from 300 rubles. It is sold simply everywhere (you can easily find it on Aliexpress or eBay, there are hundreds of offers).
If you want versatility, acceptable quality at the lowest price, then take the quality LG micro-USB cable from the previous review, it costs from $ 2, and the simplest uncertified Lightning adapter is cheaper than $ 1 (I have seen lots of 3 pieces for $ 1 ). There are complaints that such adapters are fragile and often break, keep this in mind.
If you need a long cable, then the situation is deplorable. More or less in the test, only the YourCharger cable coped, but the drawdown is significant. Considering its cost, it can be recommended.
Of course, it is worth mentioning the "penny" triple cable in a rag braid. This cable surprised me for the second time. I do not use it, but its performance is excellent (due to its small length). Through it, the test iPad was charged with the maximum current strength, as well as with high-quality MFi cables.
We should also mention the KALUOS cable. It is perfectly described by the proverb: "All that glitters is not gold." If I were asked to choose appearance and tactile sensations, then I would certainly choose it. In fact, the cable turned out to be complete rubbish.
Useful instructions.
Chinese manufacturers have learned how to fake Lightning cables very well. However, they, of course, fall short of the Apple level, which makes it quite easy to distinguish a fake from an original Lightning cable. This guide tells you what you need to pay attention to.
Pay attention to the connector
No matter how hard the Chinese manufacturers try, they cannot fake the Lightning connector with perfect accuracy. FROM USB connector especially gifted craftsmen somehow cope, but on Lightning they always pierce.
What should be looked at?
First, on contacts. The official Apple cable has them rounded, smooth and clean. Manufacturers of fakes with contacts have a real problem. By themselves, the contacts are rough, irregular in shape and, most clearly, dirty. Dirt above and below the contacts is perhaps the main sign of a fake.
Secondly, on the connector. It must be integral, being one detail. In most cases, for fakes, the connector is assembled from two, and sometimes more parts. Between the details, of course, there is a gap, which will indicate to you that you have a fake in front of you.
To make sure that the cable is original or, conversely, to identify a fake, you can arm yourself with a ruler. Apple's Lightning connector measures exactly 7.7x12mm. No more, no less.
And finally, thirdly, look at the surface of the connector. It should be made in the corporate gray color of Apple. Handicraft manufacturers usually make the surface a variety of colors, but not gray.
There are other distinctive features of the official Lightning cable, which is easy to identify a fake. But, as we have already noted, the masters, in particular the Chinese, have learned to very accurately imitate the style of Apple. In the case of the Lightning connector, it is necessary to observe a lot of subtle points, which is why punctures most often occur on it.
There are known cases of overheating and ignition of smartphones that were recharged using cheap cords from Chinese manufacturers. It also often happened that a poor-quality Lightning cable did not allow devices to be synchronized. To avoid problems, it is better not to save on the purchase of a cord.
And here the question arises: how to distinguish the original branded "apple" product from a copy? To do this, when choosing an accessory, pay attention to the following details:
The price of the original Lightning cable
The original Lightning cable is not cheap. Depending on the retail chains and regions, the cost of the cable varies from $19 to $35.
A little about quality
Many owners of iOS devices have encountered the problem of Apple branded cables - the isolation of the accessory begins to tear even after careful use after a few months. 
Luckily, Apple has heard users, and starting in late 2015, Lightning cable comes with improved insulation strength characteristics. The new cable is stiffer with a slightly rough surface of the insulating material.
Packaging of the original Lightning cable
The original Lightning cable is sold in a box. The packaging must be made of high quality cardboard and have impeccable printing. The box is protected from opening with a plastic label with an orange end.
On the company's branded cords, the inscriptions " Designed by Apple California" and " Assembled in China" (or "Assembed in Vietnam", "Indústria Brasileira"). Should be nearby serial number, consisting of 12 digits. The inscriptions are located at a distance of about 15 centimeters from the USB connector. In low light, they may not be noticed, they are applied in light gray. If the inscriptions are too bright, this is a sign of a fake.
Lightning connector
There are three main features by which you can distinguish the original from a fake. Firstly, the contacts of the Lightning connector of a branded cord will be solid, smooth and rounded, while those of a counterfeit one will be heterogeneous and rough. Secondly, the width and length of the plug of the original accessory is always the same - 7.7 mm and 12 mm, respectively. Thirdly, the metal element of the tip in the branded cable is gray, and in copies it is white or black.
USB connector
Here we have four distinguishing features. The joints of the original plug have a trapezoidal shape. In the original accessory, the connector contacts are gold-plated. The surface of the branded cable tip is even and smooth, which is almost never found in fakes. Inside the original connector, you can see a uniform back wall, while the counterfeit one, as a rule, will have extra holes and grooves.
Naturally, as an alternative, you can always use those created by third-party manufacturers under the MFI (Made For iPhone) license, including Chinese ones.
