Am I using an iPhone clone?
Apple announced its latest version of the iPhone during the Apple event. It's been 11 years and iPhones have come a very long way, same for clones too. From the small phone to the iPhone Xs and Xs max look-alike, now it is difficult to tell the difference between an actual deal and a clone.
iPhone clones can be so good they work as an original copy of Apple's iPhone. It has everything you want for a better value than ever before. Let's take Apple's most recent phone - not the new iPhone 11 series but the Xs max or the 10s. It has one of the best clones that can emulate an original copy. The price ranges between 150 and 200 dollars. They say it has improvements in every sector. The first iPhone made back then didn't look the same as the original copy which you cannot find anymore. Nowadays they have got so close making it difficult for an average person to differentiate between a fake and an original. From packaging to phone style, it almost the same. These clones have become so good that they have the Apple logo boot sequence, unlike other crap ones. From is a software perspective, that is very convincing. Also, the experience is quite similar to Apple's original copy. You most probably won't know unless you notice most of the menu settings are not working.
Don't get scammed
There are basic pointers to look out for if you feel you are getting a fake iPhone. Most of them will show you a sealed box but do not get overwhelmed.
1. Packaging - the wallpaper of the fake normally has that picture of the leaked ones before it was official.
2. Text & logo - the text can be very good and look original but they are normally dark, skinny and funny. One more thing is that the details of the phone are normally upside down for the fakes. The wallpaper on the front should be relative to the phone details are the back.
3. Accessories - Apple doesn't use the plastic case for its accessories anymore. So if you see one, it's dead fake.
4. Check if it has a tap to wake. Nope? -- then fake.
5. Normally comes with weird default apps.
If you want to seem like you have the new iPhone you could go for it but you will hate yourself for using it every day. I would rather recommend you save your money and buy an original piece - not necessarily the latest one. Work within your budget. Even an original iPhone SE is very powerful than most phones out there in 2019.