Counterfeit 'AirPods 3' Hit the Market Prior to Official Announcement

Apple is expected to launch the third iteration of AirPods in the third quarter of this year. Rumors and reports suggest the new AirPods will feature an updated design more in line with the AirPods Pro, but lacking in "Pro" features such as active noise cancellation.

fake airpods 3
Despite AirPods 3 not yet being officially announced by Apple, counterfeit products of the unreleased earbuds have already hit the market. Videos from TikTok shared on Twitter show fake AirPods, that are precisely in line with previously leaked images claiming to be the real deal.

Apple products are very often faked and sold online on unauthorized Apple marketplaces, so much so that Apple has a team whose sole focus is to crackdown on counterfeit products and prevent them from being sold. Fake Apple products not only present a challenge to the tech giant, but also pose a danger to customers. Buying fake products not only means you're missing out on the latest technology, but they could also present safety hazards and can even be illegal in some countries.

Related Roundup: AirPods 4
Buyer's Guide: AirPods (Neutral)
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Top Rated Comments

GaelenSky Avatar
63 months ago
Either way, they look ugly as sin
Score: 8 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Smooch Avatar
63 months ago
I feel this is legally really interesting... Can an unreleased and yet to be officially confirmed product be protected by law? Who's to say who copied who in that case? Unless they use an Apple logo or something of course.
Score: 7 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Darth Tulhu Avatar
63 months ago
This right here is an example of the clout that Apple has in the industry, and it also speaks at the silly tribalism we humans subject ourselves and each other to.

If I can't have real AirPods, these fake ones will make me look cool. No one will ever know!

SMH
Score: 7 Votes (Like | Disagree)
SirAnthonyHopkins Avatar
63 months ago

you're doing it wrong if you need a keychain for your airpods
doing what wrong?
Score: 4 Votes (Like | Disagree)
macfacts Avatar
63 months ago
Perhaps the leaked videos were of the "fake" airpods. No one copied apple.
Score: 3 Votes (Like | Disagree)
miniyou64 Avatar
63 months ago
Lol “pose a danger”. Yeah scary...
Score: 3 Votes (Like | Disagree)