Apple Uses CT Scans to Reveal Hidden Duplicates and Counterfeit Parts Inside Devices

The CT‑scan of an Apple Watch Ultra 3, performed by Lumafield, reveals a tightly integrated hardware stack that is impossible to replicate with the loose, component‑sparse assemblies found in counterfeit units sold on Temu and other low‑cost marketplaces. The genuine Ultra 3 houses a 599 mAh soft‑pouch lithium‑ion battery that spans the full width of the case, flanked by two flex‑cable connectors that feed power and data to a central S10 system‑in‑package (SiP). The SiP consolidates the CPU, neural engine, wireless radios, and memory into a single die, eliminating the need for external wiring and reducing mechanical stress (Lumafield, 2025). By contrast, the OICIIDO counterfeit watch captured in the same scan contains a markedly smaller battery cell that is only loosely attached to the chassis, with visible wire bundles that snake across the interior. These wires are not anchored, and their slack would likely fail under the thermal cycling and vibration typical of a wearable device.

Further differences emerge in the logic board layout. The authentic Apple board is a dense, multilayered substrate where the S10 SiP sits at the core, surrounded by high‑density passive components and a pair of dual‑speaker modules that are integrated into the case wall. The counterfeit board, identified as an HS6620 system‑on‑chip (SoC), spreads its die across a larger area and relies on discrete components linked by exposed wire runs. According to Lumafield, the HS6620 configuration “would not survive the mechanical and thermal demands of a legitimate wearable,” underscoring the engineering gap between Apple’s monolithic integration and the piecemeal construction of knock‑offs.

Sensor architecture also diverges sharply. The Ultra 3’s back panel features Apple’s third‑generation optical heart‑rate sensor, a concentric ring of photodiodes capable of multi‑wavelength measurements for both pulse detection and blood‑oxygen (SpO₂) monitoring. The CT data shows this sensor array as a solid, high‑density module embedded within the chassis, with no extraneous voids. In the counterfeit, only a single circular LED‑based heart‑rate module is present, lacking the surrounding photodiode ring and the hardware required for SpO₂. Lumafield notes that “the hardware for multi‑wavelength SpO₂ measurement is not present,” meaning the counterfeit can only claim to measure heart rate while advertising SpO₂—a claim that cannot be substantiated by its internal components.

The structural integrity of the two devices is also evident in side‑profile cross‑sections. Apple’s design presents a sealed stack: battery, logic board, and speakers are all firmly anchored to the case, with no free‑floating parts. The counterfeit’s cross‑section reveals components that are not bolted or glued to the housing; instead, wire leads and small sub‑assemblies float within the interior cavity. This lack of anchoring not only compromises durability but also creates electromagnetic interference pathways that can degrade sensor accuracy and wireless performance.

Beyond watches, Lumafield’s report draws a parallel with the collectibles market, where industrial CT scanning is already employed to differentiate authentic Labubu figures from their Lafufu counterfeits. In both domains, the technique exposes internal reinforcements—plastic inserts in Labubu ears versus stuffing in Lafufu—and material density variations in facial features. The same principle applies to the Apple Watch: only a genuine device contains the engineered internal scaffolding and dense component placement that a counterfeit cannot mimic without sacrificing reliability or functionality.