Wow Apple still makes 1st gen iPhones

cbflip2000 · Jan 18, 2013, 12:21 AM

I ordered a battery replacement for my 1st generation iPhone (4GB) so my 1yo daughter can use it on this fisher price toy that we got her. I was surprised that apple replaced the entire device instead of just replace that battery. Surely I thought they wouldn't have any 4GB iPhone 1st gen (one of the rarest iPhones).... but when I looked up the serial number of the replacement device that they are sending me, this was the information that it got out of the serial number.

Model: - iPhone
Codename: - M68
Build Country: - We don't know where this unit was built.
Build Year: - This unit was built in 2012.
Build Week - Your device was built in week 39 of that year (September).
Production Nr.: - This unit was number 17 to be built that week.

Serial number began with a QR. With same capacity (4GB)

I wonder how long will apple continue to build them.

irDigital0l · Jan 18, 2013, 12:23 AM

They don't make them anymore.

guitarmandp · Jan 18, 2013, 12:31 AM

You are getting a free furnished phone.

My moms original iPod nano's battery went bad recently and my mom paid $60 for a "new" one but its actually refurbished and they took her old one. The old one will no doubt be refurbished and sold to somebody else.

Beeplance · Jan 18, 2013, 12:32 AM

That's kinda hard to believe.

I would like to purchase one if they are willing to sell it.

Appl3FTW · Jan 18, 2013, 12:35 AM

so i can bring my original iphone for repair and get a replacement?

cbflip2000 · Jan 18, 2013, 12:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by guitarmandp

You are getting a free furnished phone.

My moms original iPod nano's battery went bad recently and my mom paid $60 for a "new" one but its actually refurbished and they took her old one. The old one will no doubt be refurbished and sold to somebody else.

Yea the internals will most likely be refurbed. But doesn't apple use new parts for the outside and new battery. So they are still making external shells and batteries. It'll be here by Monday. I'll post pics when it arrives.

----------

Quote:

Originally Posted by Appl3FTW

so i can bring my original iphone for repair and get a replacement?

I paid a $79 + $6.95 shipping fee to get my battery replaced when I called AppleCare. I was thinking they would open the phone up and change the battery but they replaced the entire device. YMMV on what they actually do. They may just change the battery or replace it according to their terms.

Psycho Mantis · Jan 18, 2013, 01:04 AM

I had mine replace in 2010 for a faulty touch screen under warranty, surprised me because apparently the warranty on that screen was extended to 5 years. I actually had to return to the Apple store the next day to pickup my iPhone because they didn't have any in stock.

emma777 · Jan 18, 2013, 01:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Beeplance

That's kinda hard to believe.

I would like to purchase one if they are willing to sell it.

Same here............will be happy to have one.

guitarmandp · Jan 18, 2013, 01:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cbflip2000

Yea the internals will most likely be refurbed. But doesn't apple use new parts for the outside and new battery. So they are still making external shells and batteries. It'll be here by Monday. I'll post pics when it arrives.

----------

I paid a $79 + $6.95 shipping fee to get my battery replaced when I called AppleCare. I was thinking they would open the phone up and change the battery but they replaced the entire device. YMMV on what they actually do. They may just change the battery or replace it according to their terms.

Actually it's the opposite. Most iPhones that old are going to have scratches and lots of abuse. They will give it a new screen and back and battery and keep the rest of the internals the way they are.

Keep in mind that a back and a screen for the original iPhone costs them almost nothing.

Just because you can no longer get it doesn't mean they don't make them anymore.

Beeplance · Jan 18, 2013, 01:27 AM

Bet a hundred bucks that says that Apple has stored a model of each iteration in some corner of their company. It's like a timeline of iPhones

James Craner · Jan 18, 2013, 01:53 AM

All manufacturers will keep stock of old models for repair and replacement, after they have been superseded.

Fernandez21 · Jan 18, 2013, 02:22 AM

You sure your getting a gen 1 back? I took my iPhone 3G to get its battery replaced and they gave me a 3GS. When I asked about it they said it was because they didn't make the 3G anymore.

cbflip2000 · Jan 18, 2013, 02:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fernandez21

You sure your getting a gen 1 back? I took my iPhone 3G to get its battery replaced and they gave me a 3GS. When I asked about it they said it was because they didn't make the 3G anymore.

Yea I'm sure it's a first generation after running the replacement serial number that apple emailed me on Apple site and another serial # checker site.

macingman · Jan 18, 2013, 05:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by emma777

Same here............will be happy to have one.

They are easily obtainable on eBay and other online markets.

Random 995K · Jan 18, 2013, 05:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Beeplance

Bet a hundred bucks that says that Apple has stored a model of each iteration in some corner of their company. It's like a timeline of iPhones

I want to see that, imagine if they also have timelines of all their other products starting with the Apple 1. Haha

Breaking Good · Jan 18, 2013, 05:40 AM

This pretty much standard with Apple's small products.

If you really want a refurbished gen1 phone, buy one off eBay and then take it to an Apple store for replacement. They will charge you either $80 if it just needs a new battery or $150 if more is wrong with it.

They will take your phone and give you a refurbished unit in return.

harcosparky · Jan 18, 2013, 07:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by guitarmandp

You are getting a free furnished phone.

LOL....

Is it furnished in Early American, Duncan Fife, or Victorian? LOL

The word you were needing to use is REFURBISHED !!!!

aliensporebomb · Jan 18, 2013, 10:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by harcosparky

LOL....

Is it furnished in Early American, Duncan Fife, or Victorian? LOL

The word you were needing to use is REFURBISHED !!!!

I can picture the next iphone being finished in a lovely curly or quilted maple case but if the battery heats up the thing might burn up!

"The ultimate in environmentally responsible casing".

cbflip2000 · Jan 18, 2013, 02:21 PM

The iPhone just came in. It looks brand new even though the internals won't be. I'm happy with it.

Appl3FTW · Jan 18, 2013, 02:26 PM

flip... message me how u got it.. my original iphone is having problems as well.

dojoman · Jan 18, 2013, 02:28 PM

You should keep it in mint condition. You never know how much it would be worth in 10 years. There are a lot of Apple related collectors out there. the original Mac sold for quite a lump sum at auctions.

cbflip2000 · Jan 18, 2013, 02:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Appl3FTW

flip... message me how u got it.. my original iphone is having problems as well.

I paid a $79 + $6.95 shipping fee to get my battery replaced when I called AppleCare. I was thinking they would open the phone up and change the battery but they replaced the entire device. YMMV on what they actually do. They may just change the battery or replace it according to their terms.

Brian Y · Jan 18, 2013, 02:30 PM

Sealed in the box they have been known to go for $10k recently.

jessica. · Jan 18, 2013, 02:30 PM

^ The best iPhone yet. Truly.

Appl3FTW · Jan 18, 2013, 02:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cbflip2000

I paid a $79 + $6.95 shipping fee to get my battery replaced when I called AppleCare. I was thinking they would open the phone up and change the battery but they replaced the entire device. YMMV on what they actually do. They may just change the battery or replace it according to their terms.

Did they charge u by calling them out of warranty? so 79 + 6.95 that's it? i supposed they shipped u a shipping box and u shipped it to them right?

Jan 18, 2013, 12:21 AM	#1
cbflip2000 macrumors member Join Date: Jun 2008	Wow Apple still makes 1st gen iPhones I ordered a battery replacement for my 1st generation iPhone (4GB) so my 1yo daughter can use it on this fisher price toy that we got her. I was surprised that apple replaced the entire device instead of just replace that battery. Surely I thought they wouldn't have any 4GB iPhone 1st gen (one of the rarest iPhones).... but when I looked up the serial number of the replacement device that they are sending me, this was the information that it got out of the serial number. Model: - iPhone Codename: - M68 Build Country: - We don't know where this unit was built. Build Year: - This unit was built in 2012. Build Week - Your device was built in week 39 of that year (September). Production Nr.: - This unit was number 17 to be built that week. Serial number began with a QR. With same capacity (4GB) I wonder how long will apple continue to build them.
	1

Jan 18, 2013, 12:32 AM	#4
Beeplance macrumors 65816 Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: Singapore	That's kinda hard to believe. I would like to purchase one if they are willing to sell it. __________________ -iPhone 3GS white 16GB iOS 6.1.3 -iPhone 3GS black 16GB iOS 6.1.3 -iPod Touch 4G white 32GB iOS 6.1
	3

Jan 18, 2013, 01:27 AM	#10
Beeplance macrumors 65816 Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: Singapore	Bet a hundred bucks that says that Apple has stored a model of each iteration in some corner of their company. It's like a timeline of iPhones __________________ -iPhone 3GS white 16GB iOS 6.1.3 -iPhone 3GS black 16GB iOS 6.1.3 -iPod Touch 4G white 32GB iOS 6.1
	6

Jan 18, 2013, 01:53 AM	#11
James Craner macrumors 65816 Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Bristol, UK	All manufacturers will keep stock of old models for repair and replacement, after they have been superseded. __________________ Productivity Orchard Be more productive with your Mac
	2

Jan 18, 2013, 02:21 PM	#19
cbflip2000 Thread Starter macrumors member Join Date: Jun 2008	The iPhone just came in. It looks brand new even though the internals won't be. I'm happy with it. Attached Thumbnails
	7

Jan 18, 2013, 12:23 AM	#2
irDigital0l macrumors 68020 Join Date: Dec 2010	They don't make them anymore.
	1

Jan 18, 2013, 12:31 AM	#3
guitarmandp macrumors 6502 Join Date: Sep 2012	You are getting a free furnished phone. My moms original iPod nano's battery went bad recently and my mom paid $60 for a "new" one but its actually refurbished and they took her old one. The old one will no doubt be refurbished and sold to somebody else.
	1

Jan 18, 2013, 12:35 AM	#5
Appl3FTW macrumors 6502 Join Date: Nov 2012	so i can bring my original iphone for repair and get a replacement?
	1

Jan 18, 2013, 01:04 AM	#7
Psycho Mantis macrumors member Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: California	I had mine replace in 2010 for a faulty touch screen under warranty, surprised me because apparently the warranty on that screen was extended to 5 years. I actually had to return to the Apple store the next day to pickup my iPhone because they didn't have any in stock.
	1

Jan 18, 2013, 02:22 AM	#12
Fernandez21 macrumors 65816 Join Date: Jun 2010	You sure your getting a gen 1 back? I took my iPhone 3G to get its battery replaced and they gave me a 3GS. When I asked about it they said it was because they didn't make the 3G anymore.
	2

Jan 18, 2013, 05:40 AM	#16
Breaking Good macrumors Demi-God Join Date: Sep 2012	This pretty much standard with Apple's small products. If you really want a refurbished gen1 phone, buy one off eBay and then take it to an Apple store for replacement. They will charge you either $80 if it just needs a new battery or $150 if more is wrong with it. They will take your phone and give you a refurbished unit in return.
	1

Jan 18, 2013, 02:26 PM	#20
Appl3FTW macrumors 6502 Join Date: Nov 2012	flip... message me how u got it.. my original iphone is having problems as well.
	1

Jan 18, 2013, 02:28 PM	#21
dojoman In Time-Out Join Date: Apr 2010	You should keep it in mint condition. You never know how much it would be worth in 10 years. There are a lot of Apple related collectors out there. the original Mac sold for quite a lump sum at auctions.
	3

Jan 18, 2013, 02:30 PM	#23
Brian Y macrumors 65816 Join Date: Oct 2012	Sealed in the box they have been known to go for $10k recently.
	2

Jan 18, 2013, 02:30 PM	#24
jessica. macrumors Nehalem Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Wrong girl from the right side of the tracks	^ The best iPhone yet. Truly. __________________ Because I'm an ahole.
	2

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