Alright, this is a matter of picking your battles. I don't see any mention of iPhone above... just iPod and iPad. And there's still no official link to what's been done to the white box replacements. So basically what you're saying is rumor and speculation.
For those that have *new* iPhones with a defect and are okay with it being replaced with a *used* iPhone that may or may not have been gutted, go for it. I paid over $1000 for my iPhone. I wasn't willing to have it replaced for a 'new used' iPhone when I could just return it for a new one (i.e. retail box).
BTW, used is used. Anyone saying that a gutted iPhone, which is basically a device that was never meant to be taken apart, aside from replacing the screen, is the same as a new device, is being unrealistic.