iPhone XS with faulty Face ID is offered at VND13 million for the 64GB memory version, while iPhone XS Max at VND15 million and VND16 million for 64GB and 256GB versions.

According to Duc Huy, an officer of a mobile phone repair shop in Dong Da street, there are many reasons why Face ID doesn’t work. In some cases, the cable is loose or broken, and users only need to replace the cable to use the device normally.

He said Face ID sensor is designed with front cameras, light sensor and proximity sensor. If just one of the parts is broken, Face ID will not work.

The iPhone XS and XS Max with faulty Face ID are advertised as 100 percent original, which means that they have not been intervened. However, he said he is not sure about the quality of the products.

“It is unclear about the origin of the products. It is highly possible that these are broken machines, collected by some dealers at low prices and brought to Vietnam,” said Hoang Giang, the owner of a private shop in Cau Giay district in Hanoi.

iPhone XS and XS Max with faulty Face ID are being offered by some private shops at prices VND2-3 million lower than nearly brand new (99 percent) products. However, their quality is questionable.

According to Giang, before selling the products, private shops will open the machines to examine accessories and try to fix problems. If the problems cannot be fixed, they will sell products at low prices.

“The worrying thing is that when opening the devices, private shops may replace original accessories with counterfeit low-quality ones,” Giang said.

In early August, the iPhone X with faulty Face ID also appeared in the Vietnamese market, sold at VND10 million for 64GB version, or VND5 million cheaper than used products. The products are still available now, offered at VND9 million.

According to an expert, besides OLED screen, Face ID sensor is the second most valuable accessory in the new-generation iPhones such as XS and iPhone 11 Pro, and 11 Pro Max. Once the sensor is broken, the device will lose 40 percent of its value.

Therefore, some private shops, in order to reduce risks, only accept a short-term (1-2 month) warranty for Face ID.

Previously, many Vietnamese accepted to buy faulty iPhones because they were cheaper than normal products. However, they now tend to be choosier. The same thing is occurring with iPhone 11, 11 Pro and 11 Pro Max. Consumers have now turned their back to locked iPhone 11 Pro Max despite the low price of less than VND18 million.

Linh Ha 

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