You can definitely tell this is a knock off version just by the feel of it. When I first got it, the iPhone recognized it as a knock off as well, saying it might not charge correctly. And after a few weeks it actually started to fall apart. The plastic on the lightning end came apart but I carefully repaired it with super-glue. That all being said, it has always worked to charge and sync my phone. It is very short, but it is also very inexpensive. So I hope this helps!