Like with most smartphone accessories, there are now a growing number of fake smartphone cases in the market. In particular, there are counterfeit Otterbox cases that are widely available online, fooling consumers into thinking that what they are getting is the famous case brand known for its durability and style.
Unfortunately, these counterfeit manufacturers are so good at what they do that it becomes harder and harder for consumers to determine whether or not they are using a fake case. To help you determine the authenticity of the product, here are some differences between an original Otterbox and a fake one:
The Key Differences
While the fake Otterboxes look almost identical to the original ones, there are still some noticeable differences that you can keep an eye out for. One of them is the clip that is used. The genuine Otterbox has a wider font, and the ring itself around the lettering is thicker.
You can also take out this ring and feel the back of the mobile phone case. A real Otterbox’ texture is quite soft to enhance the grip. Counterfeit products use cheaper material that has significantly fewer textures.
One more aspect to check is the screen protector that comes with the purchase. Knockoffs have tinted cellophane, usually green, that goes around the screen protector. But you wouldn’t find it in an original Otterbox!
Why You Should Never Buy a Knockoff
You might get tempted to just use a fake Otterbox, especially as the fake ones look almost the same and could be cheaper, but you should resist the urge. This is because counterfeit products do not have the same quality as the materials used are definitely inferior.
But more than the look, you should be worried about the performance of a fake Otterbox. It’s not going to be like the original tough cases made by the brand, and it won’t give your phone the protection you think you’re getting – this defeats the purpose of using an Otterbox! Also, if you use a fake version, you can never get it replaced by the brand.
How You Can Avoid Fake Phone Cases
It’s not that hard to determine whether or not a phone case is authentic or fake. One of the easiest ways to tell is through the price. You might already have an idea of the price range of Otterbox products. So, if you see a case that’s priced at £5 or £10 on websites like Amazon or eBay, and you know that on their website that item sells for £30 or higher, then you should know that it’s probably fake.
You might also want to check the list of Otterbox’s authorised retailers and buy only from those on the list. At the same time, it wouldn’t hurt to browse through the reviews from customers who have purchased the same item from the seller. It’s unlikely that all of those customers know the difference between an original and a knockoff, but for sure, there are some who do. So, if you see a few reviews saying it’s not authentic, you should steer clear from that case!
Conclusion
Popular brands like Otterbox are usually copied because there’s a high consumer demand for these products. Even if the knockoffs look very similar to the original ones, you must remember that the overall quality is not the same, mainly because they use cheap materials. As such, they won’t offer the same protection as an original phone case.
Buying from an approved seller is one of the best ways to ensure that you only purchase an original smartphone case. If you encounter a fake Otterbox, please do a review and report the seller so that you can help fight the battle against counterfeit products!
Mobile Shark is your best source for original smartphone cases like Otterbox. Purchasing from our store ensures that the products you are getting are authentic and of the highest quality. Check out our range of phone cases today and place your order!
Arthur is a senior member of the communications team who has worked at several well-known companies over the past 10 years. As a writer with many years of experience in the technology sector, focusing on reviewing mobile phones and accessories, he has written about many products or has been hands-on with them at some point