How do you tell if your iPhone 5 is a refurbished unit?

[Chuck-Norris]

Ditto this.

I got my ip 5 replaced 2 weeks ago due to no sound coming out of earpiece. It is a white box, iOS 6.0.2 and serial# starting with DQ. It works well now.

does DQ mean refurbsihed?

 

[henryonapple]

I have been told that apple has stopped refurbs and now makes new ones as its cheaper and less time consuming for them?

who have you been told by?

 

[appl3kill]

What are you guys claiming to get a replacement?.
I regret not taking care of my front screen too well but the rest is pristine + the ear piece sound is very low. I would really love a replacement

 

[iKaushal]

Had to have my phone replaced today (I tried to get them to repair it as I was going to lose Gmail Exchange) as the power button was giving out.

Got the slim white boxed replacement. Looks like a brand new out of box device. Only interesting thing was it had iOS 6.0.2 on it.

Exact same issue I faced.

They replaced my iphone 5 with faulty power button for another phone. Got a slim white sealed box replacement. Looked shiny brand new. Had ios 6.1.3.

I too lost my gmail exchange