iFixit recently visited the Huaqiangbei District of Shenzhen, China, and from here Apple Watch Ultra 3, AirPods Max 2and AirPods Pro 3 knockoffs, he took them back to the studio and immediately dismantled them. Here’s what they found.
as iFixit explains in videoHuaqiangbei is a global hub for most electronics repair parts sold worldwide.
It’s also a place where visitors can buy fake products that may look very much like the real thing on the outside, but don’t hold up on closer inspection (or in this case, after looking inside).
Disassembly of fake Apple Watch Ultra 3
As iFixit’s Shahram Mokhtari picks up the fake Apple Watch Ultra 3 and when it starts to interact with its operating system, it finds that touching any app on the watch face activates Night Mode, which turns the interface red instead of simply opening the app it’s touching.
He also notes that the Taptic Engine feels different and that most of the sensors (except the heart rate sensor) are painted on the back of the device’s plastic shell (rather than ceramic or sapphire).
Once Mokhtari opens the fake Apple Watch Ultra 3he notes that the 260 mAh battery (less than half the capacity of the real thing) is loose inside the case with its wires soldered to the main board.
Disassembly of fake AirPods Max 2
As with fake Apple Watch Ultra 3Mokhtari notes that as soon as he picks up the fake AirPods Max 2you see differences in materials, textures and structure.
This includes more plastic than an aluminum shell, as well as cushions that are softer than the real thing.
Mokhtari points out that the clicks of the buttons are wrong, and the knockoffs lack active noise cancellation and transparency mode.
Similar to the original are the ear detection system and the native pairing pop-ups and animations that appear when making a real pair. AirPods Max 2.
While digging into the headphones, Mokhtari can’t identify the battery used, and notes that some of the loosely soldered cables come loose easily as disassembly continues. He also points out a few silver cylinders whose sole function is to give the headphones the same heaviness as the real thing. AirPods Max 2.
Disassembly of fake AirPods Pro 3
Of all three products, these knock-offs look the closest to the real thing. Mokhtari notes that they are almost impossible to tell apart, except for a slight difference in stitching.
But the similarities end there. When trying to remove the silicone tip, the entire front of the AirPods comes off with it, severing several cables and wires in the process. He then realizes that the tip is actually attached to the headphones.
Examining the fake AirPods on CT scans, Mokhtari notices a few details that make them even more different from the real thing:
MEMS do not have microphones. Cheap looking drivers and very simple construction using soldered copper wire instead of flexible cables are all dead giveaways.
Upon closer inspection, Mokhtari notes that the headphones are fake AirPods Pro 3 “Designed like first-generation AirPods,” it allows the small-print circuit board to slide out of the body. He also notes that, as expected, the internals of the device do not include components such as ANC microphones and heart rate sensors.
Finally, removing the case reveals poorly constructed internals, including an unmarked battery once again.
While the findings may be surprising given the context, iFixit’s video still clocks in at an interesting 15 minutes. You can watch it below:
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