The Lagos tech market is sophisticated. The "clones" are getting better. In 2025, you are no longer just looking for a misspelled "Apple" logo. You are looking for subtle architectural failures.
At Ziggatech, our intake lab rejects hundreds of devices a month that fail our authenticity protocols. We don't just look; we inspect.
If you are buying a device in the open market (or checking one you already own), here is the 4-Step Forensic Protocol to separate the factory originals from the mimics.
01 // The "Chin" Geometry Test
The hardest thing for counterfeiters to replicate is the expensive OLED display technology. Apple’s engineering folds the screen controller under the display to eliminate the bottom bezel (the "chin"). Counterfeits use cheap LCD panels that require a thick black bar at the bottom.
- Tip Look at the bottom of the screen. The black border should be perfectly uniform on all sides. If the bottom border is even 1mm thicker than the sides, it is likely a high-end copy or a cheap screen replacement.
02 // The Serial Number Handshake
A printed box means nothing. A printed sticker means nothing. The only truth is on Apple’s server. You need to verify that the logic board matches the casing.
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Tip Go to Settings > General > About. Copy the Serial Number. Go to
checkcoverage.apple.comon a different device. If the website says "Invalid Serial Number," the device does not exist. If it says "iPhone 6" but you are holding an "iPhone 13," it is a swapped housing (a generic board inside a fake shell).
03 // The "True Tone" Sensor Check
Genuine Apple screens contain dedicated ambient light sensors that adjust the color temperature of the display to match your room. Counterfeit screens and cheap replacements rarely have the micro-chips to support this.
- Tip Open your Control Center. Long-press the Brightness bar. You should see three buttons: Dark Mode, Night Shift, and True Tone. If "True Tone" is missing, the screen has been replaced with a non-certified part, or the device is counterfeit.
04 // The Camera Fluidity Protocol
Fakes can copy the look of the software, but they cannot copy the power of the A-Series Bionic chip. The camera app is the most processor-intensive app on the phone. It is where fakes fall apart.
- Tip Open the Camera. Switch rapidly between "Photo" and "Video." It should be instant. Then, zoom from 1x to 5x. It should be smooth. If the camera "stutters," lags, or the quality drops instantly to a blurry mess, the processor is not genuine.
You shouldn't have to be a forensic analyst to buy a phone. That is why we exist. Every device in the Ziggatech Vault (New or Certified) has already passed this inspection. We do the auditing so you can just do the unboxing.