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The Apel iPhone 13 Ultra: A Fake Phone Flooding the Kenyan Market

The Kenyan smartphone market, a vital hub for digital connectivity with over 64 million mobile subscriptions as of 2023 per the Communications Authority of Kenya (CA), is increasingly inundated with counterfeit devices. Among these, the “Apel iPhone 13 Ultra” has surfaced as a notable fake phone, deceiving buyers seeking the premium quality and innovation of Apple’s iconic iPhone lineup. This article explores why the Apel iPhone 13 Ultra is considered counterfeit, what marks it as a fake, compares it to the legitimate Apple iPhone 13 Pro Max it likely attempts to emulate, provides pricing and purchase options, and highlights the risks of buying fake phones.

Why the Apel iPhone 13 Ultra Is a Fake Phone

The “Apel iPhone 13 Ultra” is not a genuine product from Apple, the U.S.-based tech giant renowned for its iPhone series. As of June 11, 2025, no “iPhone 13 Ultra” exists in Apple’s official lineup. The iPhone 13 series, launched in September 2021, includes the iPhone 13, iPhone 13 mini, iPhone 13 Pro, and iPhone 13 Pro Max, with subsequent releases like the iPhone 14 and 16 series, but no “Ultra” variant was ever produced. Counterfeit manufacturers have fabricated the Apel iPhone 13 Ultra to exploit Apple’s brand prestige in Kenya, where demand for high-end smartphones drives sales. These fakes flood the market via informal channels—street vendors, unregulated online sellers, and social media marketplaces—luring consumers with low prices. The CA estimates that 30–40% of mobile phones in Kenya are counterfeit, with Apple products being prime targets due to their high demand and status.

What Makes the Apel iPhone 13 Ultra Fake?

Several telltale signs expose the Apel iPhone 13 Ultra as a counterfeit:

• Misspelled Branding: The name “Apel” drops a “p” from “Apple,” a deliberate trick to mimic Apple’s branding while evading trademark laws. The “Ultra” moniker mimics competitors like Samsung’s Galaxy Ultra series, creating a false impression of a premium Apple device.
• Poor Build Quality: Unlike Apple’s premium construction with a stainless steel frame, Ceramic Shield glass, and IP68 water/dust resistance, the fake uses cheap plastic, with uneven edges, loose buttons, and a flimsy finish. It lacks the weight and solid feel of the iPhone 13 Pro Max.
• Substandard Display: The screen is often dim, pixelated, or unevenly lit, lacking the clarity and vibrancy of Apple’s 6.7-inch Super Retina XDR OLED display with a 120Hz ProMotion refresh rate and 460 PPI.
• Unreliable Software: It typically runs a modified or outdated Android-based system disguised as iOS, with glitches, bloatware, or malware. It cannot access iCloud, the App Store, or Apple’s ecosystem features like Face ID, unlike the iPhone 13 Pro Max’s iOS 15 (upgradable to iOS 18).
• Invalid IMEI: The International Mobile Equipment Identity (IMEI) number, viewable by dialing *#06#, is often invalid or duplicated. Texting it to 1555, a free CA service, or checking Apple’s Check Coverage page (https://checkcoverage.apple.com) typically confirms it as fake.
• Shoddy Packaging: Counterfeit boxes feature blurry logos, misspellings, or poor-quality printing, with cheap, unbranded accessories lacking the “Designed by Apple” label, unlike Apple’s professional packaging.

These traits, as highlighted in discussions about fake iPhones in Kenya, reveal the Apel iPhone 13 Ultra as a deceptive product exploiting Apple’s reputation.

Comparison: Apel iPhone 13 Ultra vs. Apple iPhone 13 Pro Max

The Apel iPhone 13 Ultra likely attempts to emulate the Apple iPhone 13 Pro Max, the top-tier model of the iPhone 13 series launched in September 2021, known for its exceptional camera system, performance, and battery life. Here’s a comparison:

Key Differences

The Apple iPhone 13 Pro Max, launched in September 2021, features a 6.7-inch Super Retina XDR OLED display with ProMotion, a powerful A15 Bionic chip, a triple 12MP camera system with sensor-shift stabilization, 3x telephoto zoom, and Cinematic mode, and a 4373mAh battery with fast and wireless charging, running iOS 15 with years of updates. It offers premium features like Face ID, MagSafe, and a durable design in Graphite, Gold, Silver, Sierra Blue, and Alpine Green. In contrast, the Apel iPhone 13 Ultra is a shoddy knockoff, with inferior hardware, poor performance, and no legitimate software or support, often running a generic Android OS disguised as iOS, lacking Apple’s ecosystem integration.

Prices and Where to Buy

Apple iPhone 13 Pro Max

• Price: Approximately KSh 74,600–140,000, depending on the retailer, condition (new or refurbished), and storage variant (e.g., 128GB, 256GB, 512GB, 1TB). For example, Price in Kenya lists a refurbished 256GB model at KSh 74,600, while Reddit reports new units at KSh 110,000–140,000 in 2023.
• Where to Buy: Available from reputable online and physical stores in Kenya, including:
  • Jumia Kenya: A trusted platform for electronics with fast delivery.
    • Link: Jumia Kenya – Apple iPhone 13 Pro Max
  • Phone Place Kenya: Stocks authentic devices, fast delivery in Nairobi and beyond.
    • Link: Phone Place Kenya – Apple iPhone 13 Pro Max
  • Avechi: A reliable shop for original phones, often with warranties.
    • Link: Avechi – Apple iPhone 13 Pro Max
  • Price in Kenya: Offers new and refurbished iPhones, countrywide delivery.
    • Link: Price in Kenya – Apple iPhone 13 Pro Max

Apel iPhone 13 Ultra

• Price: Often sold for KSh 25,000–70,000, a suspiciously low price that attracts budget buyers, far below the cost of genuine iPhones, as reported in a 2023 Reddit thread on fake iPhones in Nairobi.
• Where to Buy: These fakes are not available from reputable retailers but are commonly found in informal markets (e.g., Nairobi’s Tom Mboya Street, Luthuli Avenue), unverified online sellers, or dubious platforms like social media marketplaces (e.g., Facebook Marketplace) and classifieds sites like Jiji.co.ke. No legitimate links exist, as these are counterfeit products not endorsed by trusted stores. Nairobi’s counterfeit hubs were noted in a 2019 ACA raid seizing KSh 10 million in fake phones.

Note: Prices for the Apple iPhone 13 Pro Max may vary based on stock, taxes, condition (new or refurbished), and promotions. Always confirm with the retailer for the latest pricing and availability.

Why People Should Avoid Fake Phones

Purchasing counterfeit devices like the Apel iPhone 13 Ultra carries significant risks:

• Poor Performance: Fake phones deliver sluggish operation, with laggy apps, poor call quality, and unreliable features (e.g., inability to access iCloud or the App Store), frustrating daily use, as seen in reports of fake iPhones in Kenya.
• Safety Hazards: Low-quality batteries and components may overheat, leak, or explode, endangering users and property, a concern highlighted by the CA regarding counterfeit phones’ potential harmful radiation.
• Security Threats: Counterfeit software often harbors malware, risking theft of personal data—contacts, photos, bank details—exposing users to fraud. Over 150 million counterfeit smartphones are sold annually with compromised security features.
• No Warranty or Support: Fakes lack manufacturer backing, leaving buyers without recourse if the device fails, unlike genuine Apple products with a one-year warranty and reliable support.
• Economic Impact: Buying counterfeits fuels illegal trade, costing Kenya an estimated KSh 30 billion annually in tax evasion and harming legitimate businesses, with mobile phones accounting for 51.8% of ACA seizures.
• Short Lifespan: Fake phones degrade quickly, negating initial savings as users must replace them sooner, as noted in personal accounts of counterfeit purchases.

The Communications Authority of Kenya and the Anti-Counterfeit Authority actively seize fake goods, such as the Sh10 million worth of counterfeit phones confiscated in Nairobi in 2019, but consumer vigilance is crucial. The CA plans to establish an online platform linked to the GSMA global device database to verify phone authenticity using IMEI numbers. Until then, consumers should verify a phone’s IMEI by texting to 1555 or checking Apple’s Check Coverage page, inspect its quality, and buy only from trusted sources to avoid these dangers.

Conclusion

The Apel iPhone 13 Ultra is a counterfeit phone flooding the Kenyan market, exploiting Apple’s trusted name with a non-existent model name designed to mislead buyers. Its misspelled branding, shoddy build, and dubious software set it apart from the genuine Apple iPhone 13 Pro Max, a reliable, feature-rich flagship smartphone. While the fake tempts with a low price (KSh 25,000–70,000), the authentic iPhone 13 Pro Max (KSh 74,600–140,000) offers value, safety, and performance, available at trusted outlets like Jumia, Phone Place Kenya, and Avechi. Avoid fake phones to protect your safety, data, and wallet—stick to reputable retailers and verify authenticity before buying.

SANURA MAISHA MAGIC EAST SEASON 1 EPISODE 294