Until 2013, “white” smartphones and other equipment that was being certified were labeled “rostest” (PCT). Certification meant that all customs duties had been paid for the goods and the guarantee from the manufacturer applies to it. Since August 2013, the PCT has been replaced by the new designation EAC (Eurasian Conformity), but the essence is still the same. The EAC marking means that the equipment was imported into Russia “legally”.
When buying a smartphone, one of the main questions is how to find out if the device has been certified? The question is really important, because non-certified products are cheaper and may have a number of significant limitations. Among them: lack of software updates, 4G / LTE frequency limitation, crooked firmware, lack of manufacturer's warranty.
If the seller evades the answer to a direct question whether the “rostest” device has an answer, then it is worth formulating it differently. Is there an official guarantee? If not, the machine has not been 100% certified and you are taking the risk of buying it.
Answer options can also be as follows: a device for the Asian market, but fully adapted to work in Russia, this is a “Eurotest”, a smartphone for the CIS countries, for the American or Indian market with Russian or international firmware.
The fact is that not every seller can answer directly, because if an online store checks the aggregator where it is hosted, for example, Yandex.Market, then this is fraught with an error for the store. And if the store catches a few errors, then it will be disconnected from the system.
The package must contain information in Russian. If you are purchasing a new machine, it must be fully sealed or have security seals. Charging should be for Russian sockets without adapters. The instruction and warranty card must also be in Russian. Instructions, by the way, may not be. Manufacturers apparently consider us quite savvy and believe that we can handle it without it.
The software must also be completely in Russian without English or Chinese. It is worth noting that most of the “gray” devices are sold with good Russian-language firmware. They are either completely Russified, or you can still see foreign words and letters, but somewhere deep in the submenu.
Important note, the device must be without root access. Shouldn't be on the menu SuperSu applications, Universal Root, 360 Root - in general, any application with the root prefix. The device must also be reset to factory settings and your inclusion must be the first, that is, with the choice of the Russian language, setting the time, etc.
Most reliable way this, of course, is checking the device by IMEI. IMEI is a unique phone identifier. All "white" smartphones have this identifier recorded in the manufacturer's database. This helps the regional representative, when contacting a client, to distinguish “his” Russian equipment from “alien”, for example, Asian.
Finding the IMEI is very simple, for this you need to dial the command * # 06 # on your smartphone, you can also find the IMEI number inside the "Settings" menu. To do this, go to settings, then "All settings", scroll to the end, select "About phone", then "Status", and then click " IMEI information". - IN different models menu may vary .
When the number is received, you need to call hotline manufacturer and say that you want to check the device for authenticity by IMEI. Some manufacturers also offer verification through an online service on the site, but the information is not updated there often, or the service is unstable. At the time of writing, the Samsung service is not working at all.
An important nuance is that the IMEI in the device itself on the box and in the warranty card must match.
Actually everything. Now you are not afraid of a "gray" smartphone.
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Surely many of us have met such an abbreviation as PCT. So, what is Rostest for iPhone, and how does it differ from Eurotest? Let's try to figure this out.
In the second case, it will have to be repaired at your own expense. It is recommended to pay special attention to the packaging, since for both Rostest and SIM-Free devices it should not be opened, but covered with a thick film.
Today, you can easily buy an iPhone abroad without leaving your home. But what if the desired device turns out to be “gray”. In order not to torment your doubt, it is first of all important to understand what RosTest is for iPhone.
RosTest is a certification center that provides a system of internal compliance standards, which include passing customs control and assigning a certain quality mark. According to the country's legislation, all imported goods must meet certain technical regulations, safety requirements for the environment and human health.
When assembling an "apple" at official factories Apple Corporation all devices are subject to mandatory certification, which directly depends on the state in whose territory they will be sold. Accordingly, all manufactured gadgets undergo the EURO or ROStest procedure. The application of this marking indicates the legality and authenticity of the device.
Note! There is no difference between the RosTest and EuroTest signs in terms of design and technical capabilities.
The RosTest mark on the iPad box may be in the form of voluntary or mandatory certification. It is affixed next to the serial number of the gadget.
FCC is a mark assigned by the US Federal Communications Agency. It indicates that the device meets all standards for signal reception and transmission. Next to the FCC marking is the model and serial iPhone number. The absence of this designation indicates a fake. This equipment is not original.
Note! Some Chinese fakes may contain the FCC inscription itself without marking.
Understanding what RosTest for iPhone is, we can draw certain conclusions: give preference to a “white” or “gray” gadget. Certified iPhone is the quality and guarantee of service. And, of course, there is no doubt about the originality of the internal mechanism.
Buyers of Apple products are often interested in: how to find out if the iPhone is RosTest or not. The article will reveal this topic, although information on the Internet is a dime a dozen. For those who are not yet in the subject or have not found a clear explanation, we will give a complete answer.
iPhones imported into the territory Russian Federation officially, called "white", have a PCT certificate and a guarantee. Subject to legal taxes and fees, sold at the recommended market price, that is, the devices have passed the necessary documentary procedures, are genuine.
In general, RosTest is a Certification Center that checks imported (imported) products into the country for compliance with the standards. If the results of the examination are successful, the goods are marked with the coveted “PCT” badge.
But! RosTest does not guarantee 100% quality of imported products. The examination is carried out not for the entire "apple" batch, but for randomly selected goods from it. The "PCT" sign, however, is placed on every iPhone.
The “correct” iPhones are packed in boxes, carefully examining which you can already find out the necessary information. Studying the model code and the PCT icon is enough to exhale with relief: we have the original. For example, the MP822RU/A code contains two letters meaning "Russia":
And also for the Russian market, models come with codes:
If the package has the EAC mark (from the English Eurasian Conformity), this means Eurasian compliance and certification of the customs union of Russia, Kazakhstan and Belarus. To the consumer, both signs - RosTest and EAC - confirm the guarantee of the legality of the device being sold.
The prefix "euro" instead of "ros" is used to certify iPhones that have not passed the examination at the Center. In fact, the sign "EuroTest" does not exist. The word was coined to distinguish a “white” iPhone from a “gray” one. In general, all Apple products supplied outside the law are called "gray". Sellers from Europe who resell gadgets save on tax deductions, payment of funds intended for registration of mandatory documents. It is clear that the cost of such smartphones is much lower - about 3-7 thousand rubles than legal ones. This should confuse the consumer in the first place.
If the “PCT” icon on the box somehow did not satisfy the inquisitive buyer, he looks at the model code in the device itself, compares it with what is written on the package. To do this, go to "Settings", then - "General" and "About this device":
We see RU, this makes it clear that the phone ended up in Russia, “reaching” the country legally.
To determine RosTest iPhone or not, you need to apply several simple actions and check the "legality" of the device.
An iPhone that has been tested is sold at a higher price, but at the same time it has distinct advantages: authenticity, warranty service in the Russian Federation for a certain period. “Gray” phones, although cheaper, are also capable of breaking down or contain factory defects. In this case, the money spent is down the drain.
When buying, you should carefully study the packaging with a sticker containing information about the model code and the “PCT” sign.
When choosing one or another electronics, in particular a smartphone, we sometimes notice with surprise that the same model can be sold with a significant difference in price. The sales assistant, in response to this misunderstanding, declares: "This is Eurotest!" But not every one of us is aware of the meaning of this word. Therefore, let's see how Rostest differs from Eurotest. First, let's define what is hidden under these definitions.
Rostest is the largest testing and certification center in the Russian Federation. It is accredited by the government of our country to issue certificates. In order to obtain such a document, according to the legislation, the product must comply with a considerable number of technical regulations, requirements of safety standards for the protection of the environment and human health.
Therefore, manufacturers, in order to obtain the Rostest mark on their products, must necessarily pass the products through the certification procedure. If the goods have passed it, then the company has the right to put the Rostest logo on them. This will mean that, for example, a smartphone meets Russian quality and safety standards.
We recommend that you remember the Rostest mark, since there are many sellers of illegal, fake, and therefore low-quality goods on the market, which are presented as original, branded and sold at a rather big price. Naturally, on its packaging there will be no logo of this large Russian certification center.
And we continue to figure out how Rostest differs from Eurotest.
First of all, we need to know that no Eurotest exists! The term was coined by sellers by analogy with Rostest. It most often means Conformité Européenne - European conformity with the CE mark.
If we consider Rostest or Eurotest, what is the difference? The latter term may mean that the device in front of you meets European requirements for environmental protection, safety and human health.
However, we still advise you to ask the seller about what he means by the definition of Eurotest. If this is CE (European conformity), then there is no reason to worry. And sometimes counterfeit gadgets are also called mysterious Eurotest in order to deceive the buyer. Such a device can come from Asia or America, or from handicrafts.
Those who are looking for how Rostest differs from Eurotest are primarily concerned about the quality of the devices. But there are no differences regarding this parameter - manufacturers are trying to produce universal products for the entire spectrum of consumers. Therefore, for example, a phone with a Rostest certificate will be similar in quality to a device with a European conformity mark.
Owners of gadgets marked with both Rostest and Eurotest can also equally qualify for a full warranty service. The presence of this or that certificate does not affect the authority of the warranty card. It does not matter what is indicated there: Eurotest or Rostest.
What is the difference? Many people think that the differences are in the location of the manufacturer: goods bearing the CE marking are produced in a European state, and Rostest - in third world countries. But this is also an incorrect statement - gadgets in most cases are made at the same factory.
So what is the difference between Rostest and Eurotest? From all that has been said, several points can be distinguished:
How to determine if Rostest or Eurotest is a certificate for your iPhone? "Apple" gadgets in the domestic market are generally divided into 4 categories:
We do not recommend the last two groups for purchase. "Black" - for obvious reasons. And the American ones - because the device can only be blocked for maintenance by a specific operator, and also due to the fact that until now official service centers do not agree everywhere to repair it for free under warranty.
The most "white" are iPhones with Rostest certification. They have passed all the necessary checks, comply with the requirements of the legislation of the Russian Federation, there will be no problems with their warranty service. Do not worry if instead of the familiar PCT sign there is EAC. The latter is a symbol of Eurasian conformity (Russia, Kazakhstan and Belarus). It is similar to Rostest.
"Gray" is all other iPhones. They can also be called Eurotest. Their main difference is that they are imported bypassing official supplies from Europe. That is why they are distinguished by a lower price - the reseller significantly saved on duties, certification, taxes, etc. Is such an iPhone worse than the Rostest one? Hardly. One thing: the device can be "sharpened" for the country for sale in which it is intended. Hence the conflict with the SIM cards of the Russian operator, the inability to turn off the sound of the camera, the restriction on the maximum volume of music and other small but unpleasant moments.
So which is better - Rostest or Eurotest? Still the first. By purchasing a PCT-marked gadget, you buy a "white" device. And Eurotest can turn out to be both counterfeit products and a fake.
