AppleCare Iphone 4 Replacement Testing

[Hellishness]

Would it be possible to do a small scratch test? I don't mean anything extreme, but put it in like a pocket with some sand (I really want to see this one, since sand is the only possible thing that may scratch my iP4) and rub it around a bit? You probably won't get anything more than hairlines, and I think the standard process is to replace the entire outer casing anyway.

 

[Alonzo84]

I'm gonna guess and say that 7S will be the new serial # used for iPhone 4 replacements.

I read in another thread that they use the XS serial number for refurbished iPhones of all generations.

 

[Ferrd]

Would it be possible to do a small scratch test? I don't mean anything extreme, but put it in like a pocket with some sand (I really want to see this one, since sand is the only possible thing that may scratch my iP4) and rub it around a bit? You probably won't get anything more than hairlines, and I think the standard process is to replace the entire outer casing anyway.

Sorry. Not doing that I'll let someone else do that test.

 

[thesaint580]

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I'm gonna guess and say that 7S will be the new serial # used for iPhone 4 replacements.

I read in another thread that they use the XS serial number for refurbished iPhones of all generations.

I just got a replacement and it does not start with XS.

 

[doodads]

I wouldn't read much into that, I also have MC319LL and even with a case my signal drops, though not as bad as without.

You know, I've been thinking about this and I have a crackpot theory about this. When apple annouced the iphone4, they said that they had developed a new kind of stainless steel alloy to use as the antenna/support. Now here is my crackpot theory, what if this new alloy is very hard to make, what if even the slightest imperfection will cause the alloy to be more conductive and effect reception? Maybe that is why some people can't get the signal to drop at all (perfect stainless steel batch), why some can get bar to drop but don't lose connection (slight imperfections in stainless steel) and why for some it craps out completely (imperfect stainless steel). Plus this could also explain why there doesn't seem to be any pattern to those havin issue when looking at the model and serial numbers.

That's my crackpot theory and I'm sticking to it.

I highly doubt that they would use a new alloy that is very hard to make, the cost would be prohibitive. There are many different types of stainless steel out there that are made every day.

 

[Alonzo84]

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I just got a replacement and it does not start with XS.

Replacements aren't always refurb.

 

[thesaint580]

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I just got a replacement and it does not start with XS.

Replacements aren't always refurb.

The Genius told me that they don't have any refurbs yet. This is the same thing the Apple care rep told me this past week.

 

[jns2001]

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The Genius told me that they don't have any refurbs yet. This is the same thing the Apple care rep told me this past week.

Why would they sell the same phone with different model numbers? Something has got a change, don't you think?

 

[thesaint580]

Why would they sell the same phone with different model numbers? Something has got a change, don't you think?

I am not sure. It still is manufactured in the 25th week, thats probably just before the launch I suppose.

 

[Ferrd]

Well, I think I might have found the big difference in reception between the two phones.....

After giving up hope on finding the difference between the two phones, I decided to get my old iPhone ready for shipment back to Apple. I removed the BSE screen protectors off of the front and back, and got ready to remove the SIM card from the phone to put back into my replacement. I noticed that now I was getting 5 bars where before removing the screen protector I was getting between no signal and 2 bars when held. After a bit more testing, the original iPhone was behaving exactly like the replacement one.

I read the teardown on ifixit.com and there is a connector that connects the back glass plate to the rest of the iPhone. It is not for security because I can turn on the phone with the back plate off (I tried it ). My only guess is that the back glass plate is part of the antenna system, and a screen protector causes some signal loss.

I do believe there is a flaw in the design of the new iPhone. However after using my phone without a rear screen protector (or case for that matter), it is only minimally worse then my 3gs.

 

[dawnmarie52903]

Iphone 4 Replacement

i have a appointment with the genus bar in tampa fl tomorrow, i had called apple support on saterday about my iphone 4 getting really hot and humming, also could not connect to internet and mulitiple other issues, they said i caould get a replacement phone, but will the store have it even tho they are supposed to be sold out

 

[Ssendam]

I read in another thread that they use the XS serial number for refurbished iPhones of all generations.

Don't think this is true. My brand new iphone that I picked up from Walmart of all places last weekend, is serial 7S026. And for those wondering I do get some reception issues (my calls cut out) and the battery is on the lower end. Actually swapping this out tomorrow at Apple's store.

 

[br0adband]

Original ip4 - 84024
Replacement ip4 - 7S026

Interestingly enough:
Original ip4 Model - MC608LL
Replacement ip4 Model - MC318LL

Missed this thread entirely in the past few days, but that's the first time I've seen anyone report an entirely new model number, and while I'm not calling the OP a liar or anything by saying this but, if that's true, and Apple has altered the model number, that's freakin' hugely significant in this situation (this Apple iPhone 4 fiasco we're all presently dealing with).

HUGE man... absolutely... how the hell did I and other people miss this? An entirely new model number would signify some big change internally on the iPhone 4 models...

Is there anyone else reporting such a difference?

 

[Domino8282]

Missed this thread entirely in the past few days, but that's the first time I've seen anyone report an entirely new model number, and while I'm not calling the OP a liar or anything by saying this but, if that's true, and Apple has altered the model number, that's freakin' hugely significant in this situation (this Apple iPhone 4 fiasco we're all presently dealing with).

HUGE man... absolutely... how the hell did I and other people miss this? An entirely new model number would signify some big change internally on the iPhone 4 models...

Is there anyone else reporting such a difference?

Yes

 

[F123D]

An entirely new model number would signify some big change internally on the iPhone 4 models...

Is there anyone else reporting such a difference?

My boss swapped her phone out and she's got the new serial number but still has the same antenna issue. I've also noticed her screen color seems kind of dull as well..

 

[Alonzo84]

Missed this thread entirely in the past few days, but that's the first time I've seen anyone report an entirely new model number, and while I'm not calling the OP a liar or anything by saying this but, if that's true, and Apple has altered the model number, that's freakin' hugely significant in this situation (this Apple iPhone 4 fiasco we're all presently dealing with).

HUGE man... absolutely... how the hell did I and other people miss this? An entirely new model number would signify some big change internally on the iPhone 4 models...

Is there anyone else reporting such a difference?

I don't know what you mean by this. There are several different model numbers (unless you are referring to the 7S serial number). Mine is model MC610LL and serial 87026. The signal seems to be the only issue I've encountered in my three weeks with the phone.