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clin86

macrumors regular
Original poster
Feb 15, 2008
127
0
I did a replacement iphone 4 through att and they sent me one with a serial number starting with 7R026. i thought all new iphones came with 8 serial numbers. is this a refurbished one?
it came in a brand new sealed box with all the accessories instead of a plain white box
 

br0adband

macrumors 6502a
Aug 29, 2006
933
69
In before the "pics or it didn't happen" spam...

That's a fairly odd serial number considering nobody else has reported anything other than an 8xxxx series.

Perhaps you lucked out and got a prototype refitted to be a replacement since they're running low on supply, who knows.

Don't return it, don't get rid of it, and most definitely take very good care of it. Could turn out to be a rare thing, and quite valuable to someone... :)
 

clin86

macrumors regular
Original poster
Feb 15, 2008
127
0
heres a screenshot of the box. it doesnt seem like it was refurbished at all. it came in a brand new box.
 

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br0adband

macrumors 6502a
Aug 29, 2006
933
69
Well, I'll say it again: don't damage it, don't lose it, don't drop it, don't return it, keep it and see what happens. :)
 

owmygulay

macrumors member
Jun 20, 2010
96
0
What is the big deal with the serial numbers? Can you tell when the phone was built? I just got mine on July 6th and the number starts with 79026.....What does that mean?
 

br0adband

macrumors 6502a
Aug 29, 2006
933
69
Serial Number Broken Down: aabccdddeef
aa = Factory and Machine ID
b = Year
cc = Production Week
ddd = Unique Identifier
ee = Colour
f = size

And another post with more info:

The first five numbers are not unique. First two are the factory it was manufactured in, second one is last digit in the year and the last two are the week it was manufactured. For example, 87(factory)0(2010)26(26th week of 2010). The rest of the serial number is unique to each device.
 

br0adband

macrumors 6502a
Aug 29, 2006
933
69
you have the green spot issue if you haven't noticed :(

Damn, I wasn't even paying attention on that, but yes, he does. :( That's pretty damned noticeable now but, I swear, it simply didn't even register on me to pay attention earlier... wow.
 

garethjs

macrumors 65816
Nov 11, 2008
1,100
600
its simply due to lighting

and? That means it's fine?

So the reception is simply due to us all having too big a hand?

I don't remember changing my bulbs between the time I took a photo with my 3GS and my iPhone 4. So why the difference?
 

TroyBoy30

macrumors 68030
Jun 9, 2009
2,535
1,344
Atlanta GA
and? That means it's fine?

So the reception is simply due to us all having too big a hand?

I don't remember changing my bulbs between the time I took a photo with my 3GS and my iPhone 4. So why the difference?

3gs does it under fl lights as well. there are several threads about it
 

desol8tor

macrumors newbie
Jun 30, 2010
28
0
I was reading this thread and then decided to check my serial number because I recently replaced my iPhone 4 (it was having trouble restoring backups). My serial number also starts with 7.

first five alphanumerics being 7S026. Also seems to not have death grip issue (maybe a placebo effect going on of sorts, however it hasn't dropped a call) unlike my original one, which definitely dropped 2-3 bars when held in the infamous manner.
 

jfyrfytr25

macrumors 6502a
Dec 6, 2008
762
3
I have a replacement from AppleCare. It was delivered on Friday last week.

The serial starts with 7S026 as well.
 

Dstopsie

macrumors 68010
Jun 22, 2010
2,003
2,823
LOS ANGELES BABY!!
I just received my replacement from apple care and according to the outside of the box it has a serial number of 860xxxx. The one I purchased through apple online on launch day has an 840xxx number. I have prox sensor issues on my original handlset and the clicking and popping on calls. Not much death grip or green blob.

I am gonna test this new one before I send it out cuz I don't want one worse than thie one I have.
 

reliantj

macrumors 6502
Sep 8, 2008
283
0
mine's 84027
if what you're saying is true and the last 2 numbers are the week of the year, then mine is newer than your week 25 and 26 phones.
 

Bodhi395

macrumors 6502a
Jul 23, 2008
817
0
Anyone with the 7 serial numbers, is there any physical difference you can see?

Like the more matte finish to the metal band or seeing the proximity sensor more clearly?
 
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