Got a tip for us?
Let us know
Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.
If your phone is defective, does Apple give you a brand new one, or a refurb?
- Thread starter OrlandoTragic
- Start date
- Sort by reaction score
You'd get a phone in a white box, which is likely a refurb, unless you return the phone immediately after they issue a new model. So, for example, if you were to return a 3GS now, it would likely be a refurb, since over a month has gone by.
It probably depends on how long you've had it. I noticed problems with my screen right away and when I went back a few days later they just did a "retail swap" for a brand new phone.
.
.
It's refurb now, unless you went on a day in which they have ran out of replacements, which has happened before and causes mass problems.
Yes, and they come with the same warranty and are treated/honored by Apple employees as if it is a new phone.
Coming out of a white box does not mean refurb. Plenty of the white box generic phones have serial numbers for brand new phones.
Yes, the insides mostly stay the same, but the outsides are new.
Nothing really went with refurbs. They can even be better than new ones since they get looked at and checked twice by apple.
i've had my 2G, and 3G replaced a few times and it's always with a refurb, and they always work brilliantly 
i've had my 2G, and 3G replaced a few times and it's always with a refurb, and they always work brilliantly
Which is why you have to get multiple replacements.
You can't tell anymore by the serial numbers.
When the iPhone is 'refreshed' it is given a new serial number.
Apple does give refurb models, from my source (yes, even though i've only posted 2 times) say's all refurb models start wit ha 5K serial number rather then 8 etc.
you will notice if you have had your phone replaced (Canada) your serial number 99% of the time is now 5kxxxxxxxxx rather than 858 or 8xxxxxxxx etc. this goes for the iPhone 3G, I have not yet asked about the 3GS but I would assume, just like when the 3G came out, apple used NEW product, rather then refurb, as they had none send back to the factory for 'refurbing'.
Apple also notes all REFURB models, get a new exterior casing for the phone, and potential screen replacement's, and also new parts required for actually repairing the device itself.
I still don't get why apple does not get their mac genius team to repair the iphones, in other ways, then just replacing the screen, or iphone itself, the only reason I think they do this, as it is good on time, 15 minute appointment, 5 minutes to do the paper work, 10 minutes to replace and test out the screen.
The whole 5K leading the serial number stopped shortly into the 3G lifespan. Apple even made an announcement about this.
New refurbs coming off the shelf almost always start with 8 something.
And I agree, for the first while, until the refurb pipelines are filled, they would've been giving out new phones. Or in the case where you are still in the return policy window, then odds are they will give you a new one.
My replacement was NIB, since it was within the 14-day period. Brought receipt, box and all accessories and I was able to enjoy the opening of a new 3GS once again......