Most likely a Refurb, to my understanding if you go into the store you get a better chance of getting a new one
Just to update everyone here, my new 3GS phone was having problem with incoming call, couldn't hear anything thru earpiece.
I went to apple store and they told me to wait 5-10 business days and told it will be in white box. I called the apple care next day asked the same question whether it is refurbished or brand new. Apple care told me my replacement phone will be repaired one with new parts and two times QC'd. I requested to speak with his manager. Got nice lady on the phone, she told me she is manager of corporate customer care.
I told her that this is 5 days old phone why I would have repaired phone? if my phone is 2-3 months old, no problem. I haven't even used it. I told her I would like to have brand new sealed box like I got it from AT&T. She said no problem, created my order and my new iphone (BRAND NEW) ships straight from china.
Here is the S.No: 859315xxxxx and tracking info..My old phone was having S.no: 84927xxxxx
Aug 3, 2009 2:59 AMAt dest sort facilitySEATTLE, WAAug 2, 2009 10:17 PMAt local FedEx facilitySEATTLE, WAAug 2, 2009 4:18 PMDeparted FedEx locationMEMPHIS, TNAug 2, 2009 12:12 AMArrived at FedEx locationOAKLAND, CAAug 1, 2009 7:17 PMDeparted FedEx locationANCHORAGE, AKAug 1, 2009 9:59 PMInt'l shipment releaseANCHORAGE, AKAug 1, 2009 12:55 PMArrived at FedEx locationANCHORAGE, AKAug 1, 2009 3:18 PMIn transitLANTAU ISLAND HKAug 1, 2009 10:32 AMLeft FedEx origin facilitySHENZHEN CNJul 31, 2009 7:03 PMShipment information sent to FedExAug 1, 2009 7:31 AMPicked upSHENZHEN CN
As far as quality goes the refurb would likely be in better working shape than the new phone as it has been personally reviewed by Apple before being distributed to you. Also, there is virtually no way to physically distinguish a refurb from a new product, at all. This was all in your head, and this just goes to prove how so many iPhone customers are total head cases. New or refurb, they both have the identical warranty, they look identical, and if I put a new one side by side with a refurb, nobody could tell me which is which. Its all in your head.
I had to exchange my iphone a couple of days ago the lady said it was a brand new phone. But I got a 5K serial number so now I am worried![]()
Did it come in a plain white box, or the retail 3GS box?