A woman holds her new Apple iPhone 5S after buying it at an Apple Store at Tokyo's Ginza shopping district
A woman holds her new Apple iPhone 5S after buying it at an Apple Store at Tokyo's Ginza shopping district September 20, 2013. REUTERS/Toru Hanai

The Apple iPhone 6 release date will be announced soon, according to various mobile technology reports. The latest scoop is that the Cupertino-based company is holding an event for the much-anticipated unveiling. However, a clone is already out, and it is running on Android. Catch the viral videos and learn how to spot a fake "new iPhone."

Early this month, TLD's Jonathan Morrison (Follow this link to find him on Google +) posted on YouTube a video titled, "iPhone 6 Clone Unboxing." The video has so far drawn 1.6 million views. In a follow up feature, Morrison uploaded the "iPhone 6 prank." (Watch the YouTube videos here.)

Below are some tips to test a device that is presented to you as the new iPhone 6. Would you be able to call a prank when someone tries to pull one on you? (iPhone newbies should not make hasty purchasing decisions.)

Check the photo resolution. Compare and contrast a photo taken with an iPhone 5S and another photo snapped with the possible iPhone 6 clone. Ideally, the image quality alone would show a significant difference in terms of resolution.

Check the speed. If you are unable to translate the processor and RAM jargons into layman's terms, just compare the speed of an iPhone 5S with the iPhone 6 clone and spot the difference. Go to the phone camera. Then go to the browser. Check for the lag time.

Check what happens when you press the Home button. If you are presented with something called an iPhone 6 -- but could very well be a clone on Android -- go click on the device's Home button. Clicking it should quickly take you to your iOS 8 Home screen, not a Google search page.

Check the "iPhone" Settings. What is the operating system (OS) of the device? The new iPhone 6 is expected to run on iOS 8 out of the box on its release date. The Android clone in TLD's video clearly displays an Android OS.

Find Siri. If all else fails, just find Siri if you are presented with an iPhone 6. (Shoppers who have not used an iPhone in the past are advised to get the device from authorised dealers only.)

In an earlier report, International Business Times Australia looked into a comparison video featuring a supposed iPhone 6 mock-up and the Samsung Galaxy Note 3. Check it out here.

TLD does not advise phone buyers to pick an iPhone 6 clone. As of this writing, Apple has not made any official statement regarding the iPhone 6 release date. The company, however, is expected to gather the press for an announcement in September.

Disclaimer: The tips given in this feature do not represent the opinion of International Business Times Australia. To share your insights, wish list, or questions about the next new iPhone, email a.paredes@ibtimes.com.au.

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