Don’t trust the sticker. Trust the serial number. If you’re buying a used iPhone, Mac, or iPad — or even checking a “brand new” sealed device — there’s one free step that can save you hundreds of dollars.
Here’s a blog post tailored for someone who wants to explain — useful for buyers, sellers, or anyone verifying a device. Title: Apple Product Check by Serial Number: Why You Should Always Run One apple product check by serial number
Apple doesn’t offer a full “stolen phone database” to the public, but the coverage checker still exposes most red flags: fakes, wrong models, expired support, and mismatched purchase dates. Don’t trust the sticker