I believe I have Apple's first refurbished iPhone 5

I don't think you got a refurb... Its was to early..

Not all brand new iPhone serial numbers start with C39J...

Uh, my serial number for my launch day phone starts with DPNJ.

greytmom said:

Uh, my serial number for my launch day phone starts with DPNJ.

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Yep.

Maverick1337 said:

Just returned my iPhone 5 to Apple and the lady said I shouldn't get a refurb because it's so early. However, my launch day iPhone 5 serial number began with C39J and now this one is F2LJ. I'm kind of bummed I didn't get a new one but a refurb. Has anyone replaced their iPhone 5 and gotten a same/different serial as their previous?

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Why on earth does it matter, and how in the hell do you know what a refurbed serial number is vs. any other serial number?

I think that it is a refurbished iPhone..

My launch day phone's serial number begins with F2. You didn't get a refurb.

Maverick1337 said:

Serial numbers are different and it came in a plain white replacement box. I would assume this indicates a refurb.

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I got a replacement iPhone 5 on launch day (from the Genius Bar), and it came in a skinny white box.

You don't have a refurbished phone. Apple carries a separate stock of replacement phones in white boxes

It's a refurb.

Mine is F2LJ and it was ordered at 12am on the 14th and received on the 21st.

Reason they give you a phone in a white box because they aren't giving you the headphone and cables again. You are suppose to continue to use the original set you got from your original phone.

who gives a ****? if it was a refurb it probably just needed a replacement anodized aluminum back or antenna from one of the idiots who went through 6 phones to find a flawless one.

I think you are wrong. Its too early for refurbs.

It's not a refurb, it's to early for refurbs. Apple has shipped the store replacement phones. It is more cost efficient for you to keep all of your accessories and they just give you a new phone. No need to worry it is a brand new phone.

Maverick1337 said:

Serial numbers are different and it came in a plain white replacement box. I would assume this indicates a refurb.

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Not necessarily. It can only be a refurb if it had a former life as a brand new iPhone and they refurbished it. At this point, all white box replacement iPhone 5 are new phones and it'll take about two months or so for them to get enough returned iPhone 5 to build up a stock of refurbished iPhone 5, which can then go in the white box or be sold through the Apple store.

Maverick1337 said:

Just returned my iPhone 5 to Apple and the lady said I shouldn't get a refurb because it's so early. However, my launch day iPhone 5 serial number began with C39J and now this one is F2LJ. I'm kind of bummed I didn't get a new one but a refurb. Has anyone replaced their iPhone 5 and gotten a same/different serial as their previous?

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Not a referb, mine says also says F2L, got mine pre order. It's their new numbering system.

Relax refurbished phones are better, parts are verified twice.

Maverick1337 said:

Serial numbers are different and it came in a plain white replacement box. I would assume this indicates a refurb.

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My iPhone's serial number starts with F2LJ and I got it on launch day. Oh no!!! Verizon sent me a refurbished unit before the phone was even released!!!

Mine is F2LJ and I got it on launch day, the 21st.

Maverick1337 said:

Serial numbers are different and it came in a plain white replacement box. I would assume this indicates a refurb.

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probably just replacement phones.

no way in 1 week did they have enough time (including shipping the phones back to a facility to get checked) to fix the phone and send it back to the apple store

Serial numbers are no indication whatsoever of refurb or not.

Plain box iPhones at the Apple store are original, factory phones meant as replacements.

Is there any earwax in the headphones?