How do I verify if my AirPods Pro are original?

Question

Level 1

4 points

How do I verify if my AirPods Pro are original?

I purchased a pair of Airpod Pro Gen 2 airpods on ebay which claimed that they are authentic but I am having doubts.

Both airpods have the same model number on them which is A2084, when I look that model number up it says it is a gen 1 left ear.

When I run the serial number it says that they are gen 2

They came with the (an) original Apple box which has the same serial number

When I open the case and they pop up on my phone if I take one pod out the battery life will drastically change on both pods and the case and everytime i remove one it changes again. for example, i have had the pods and case on charger all night so should be fully charged. i open case and it will show all at 100% then i remove the left one and the left will change to 4% right 64% and case 99%, put left back in and case will go to 100% and right to 79% and left to 84%.

the percentages will be different everytime and within seconds of eachother.

only one time did i have one actually be dead though.

is it safe to assume that these are fakes and I should contact ebay about returning?

[Re-Titled by Moderator]

AirPods Pro (2nd generation)

Posted on Apr 3, 2025 12:21 PM

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Answer 1

Carol B.

Level 6

15,549 points

Apr 4, 2025 6:00 AM in response to Kmccor

If it were me, I'd return them. They sound like fakes. You may want to read the articles below before making any more purchases from third party sellers.

https://www.macworld.com/article/676923/how-to-tell-if-your-airpods-pro-are-fake.html

How to identify fake AirPods - Apple Community

The All Too Common SAD Reality of Buying … - Apple Community

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Answer 2

Mac Jim ID

Level 8

39,731 points

Apr 6, 2025 12:50 PM in response to Kmccor

You will never be able to verify that a pair of AirPods purchased from a third party are legitimate with 100% certainty. Even articles that claim to assist in spotting fakes are usually only able to prove they are fake, not that they are legitimate. When it comes to legitimacy with such methods as the serial number check, you will instantly see qualifiers such as "may" or "could", because most counterfeiters will simply copy the serial number from a legitimate pair and the check will prove nothing. Of course boxes and packaging is just as easy to fake as the devices themselves.

If you are looking to purchase a legitimate pair, that could only be done at Apple or Authorized Apple Seller. There are many fake ones out there on third party markets and you can definitely save money. The audio quality may not be as good and some features will not work correctly, but as long as you are happy with them, then that is all that matters.

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How do I verify if my AirPods Pro are original?