Watch out for iPhones 'refurbished' with counterfeit parts – because it's apparently a thing now

If you are going to repair iPhones, you better not use fake parts stamped with Apple logos less you risk losing a customer or two! Unfortunately, that's what Canada's Freedom Mobile did. An investigation revealed that a refurbished iPhone 5S sold by the carrier was patched up with counterfeit or aftermarket parts not certified by Apple. And we're not talking a nut here, a bolt there, and a cable soldered the wrong way.

Rather, Freedom made – or unknowingly received – a FrankeniPhone with aftermarket battery, casing, display, and camera. Not surprising, then, that the device's battery drained quickly, the casing didn't feel right, or the camera took potato-quality pictures. Shame on Freedom, as life has shown one can easily source the correct parts and build a better-working iPhone themselves.

Washing their hands from the mess, Freedom issued an apology and gave the customer a brand new iPhone SE. One could do a lot worse when it comes to damage control, so let's hope this was a single, isolated blunder. Then again, Freedom has never been officially authorized by Apple to sell iPhones, so you may be better off looking elsewhere.

ALSO READ

Get Visible as low as $20/mo for 1 year. Limited time offer with code: FRESHSTART

$20 /mo

$25

$5 off (20%)

Offer Ends 6.1.2026 at 11.59pm ET. New members get $5/mo off the $25/mg Visible plan, $35/mo Visible+ plan, or $45/mo Visible+ Pro plan for the first 12 months. Promo code FRESHSTART required at checkout.

Buy at Visible