Buyer Discovers Fake AirPods Pro 3 After Earbud Breaks During Eartip Replacement
Counterfeit Apple products are becoming harder to spot, and one AirPods Pro 3 buyer recently learned that lesson in the most frustrating way possible. What looked like a brand-new pair of Apple’s premium wireless earbuds turned out to be a convincing fake, discovered only after one earbud broke while the owner was trying to replace an eartip.
The surprising part is where the earbuds were reportedly purchased: Walmart in Canada.
According to a Reddit user known as “SleepyRememberer,” the AirPods Pro 3 appeared completely normal at first glance. The earbuds were sitting neatly inside what looked like a proper MagSafe Charging Case, and the packaging seemed convincing enough to pass as genuine. Counterfeiters have become so skilled that even small details, including serial number styling and exterior design, can closely imitate Apple’s products.
The problem became obvious when the owner tried to swap out an eartip. Instead of detaching normally, part of the earbud broke open. That damage revealed the internal components, and other users quickly pointed out signs that the earbuds were not authentic.
One of the biggest red flags was the battery design. Genuine Apple AirPods Pro models use rounded battery cells, while the broken earbud appeared to contain a square-shaped battery. The placement of the components also raised suspicion, as authentic Apple earbuds have a very specific internal layout. For people familiar with AirPods teardowns, the exposed hardware made the fake easy to identify.
Another major clue was the way the earbud broke. Apple’s AirPods are known for being extremely difficult to open because the company uses strong adhesive to hold the tiny components together. In most cases, taking AirPods apart is not a realistic repair option. If an earbud comes apart too easily during a simple eartip replacement, that is a strong warning sign that something may be wrong.
The incident has sparked discussion about how fake AirPods can end up in major retail channels. One possible explanation is return fraud. Scammers may buy genuine AirPods, remove the real earbuds, replace them with counterfeit copies, and then return the package. If the return is not inspected carefully enough, the fake product may eventually be resold to another customer.
Another possibility involves third-party marketplace sellers. Large retailers often allow outside sellers to list products through their online stores, and that can sometimes create opportunities for counterfeit goods to slip through if seller verification and inventory checks are not strict enough.
For buyers, the case is a reminder to be cautious when purchasing high-demand Apple accessories, even from well-known retailers. Fake AirPods can look nearly identical to the real thing from the outside, making it difficult to detect a problem until something goes wrong.
If you are buying AirPods Pro 3 or any other Apple earbuds, it is worth checking the seller carefully, inspecting the packaging, confirming warranty coverage through Apple’s official support tools, and testing all features as soon as possible. Genuine AirPods should pair smoothly with Apple devices, display accurate device information, support expected software features, and feel solid during normal use.
The owner of the counterfeit AirPods Pro 3 may still be able to request a refund from Walmart, especially if the purchase was recent and the product was sold as genuine. The situation could also push retailers to improve how they handle returned electronics and third-party sellers, particularly for expensive and commonly counterfeited products.
As counterfeit AirPods become more convincing, shoppers need to stay alert. A polished box and a familiar-looking charging case are no longer enough to guarantee authenticity.
