iPhone SE (2016) Just got a new iPhone SE 128gb Space Gray from Apple!

[rwh63]

Glad to know they still exist! Bit of a misleading title, because Apple sent me an identical replacement due to a non-repairable issue with mine.
I had been dragging my feet on going through the process of getting this accomplished. I really only wanted a space gray, not another color, and was concerned that there wouldn't be any left.

They shipped just a replacement phone, so no accessories. Need to ship my phone back to them after data transfer. Apple came through for me!

 

[JPack]

Refurb iPhone SE units will be available for years to come.

Even AT&T still offers iPhone 6s as a new product.

 

[rwh63]

apple confirmed this is not a refurb. it is a new phone. they have a stockpile of just phones that they use for full phone replacements.

 

[Applefan2015]

@rwh63 what was wrong with your phone?

I’m surprised they have old stock just sitting there, I thought after a few years new old models would be non existence 😂😂😂

 

[JPack]

apple confirmed this is not a refurb. it is a new phone. they have a stockpile of just phones that they use for full phone replacements.

Unless the model number in Settings > General > About starts with an M, it's a replacement. Replacements are almost always refurbs. The only time it's not a refurb is early in the product life cycle when Apple has not yet received any returns for refurbishment.

 

[rwh63]

what was wrong: for several months i was experiencing intermittent audio issues with the headphone jack. in store, i was told that the jack was not a replaceable/repairable part, so full replacement was necessary. there were two available in my area, but then Apple decided to close its stores, so i had to handle it online/phone. Apple was great, and i received a new one in a week.

i explicitly asked if the replacement would be new or a refurb. they told me that it would be a new replacement, just the phone, no accessories etc. i was told that Apple keeps a special inventory just for warranty replacements (not resale).
box was well sealed, sticker read "product of mainland china", shipped from Nevada.

 

[bobsamm]

lol, white box like that it's a refurb not new, have had a few replacements.

 

[Septembersrain]

Seriously though, Apple refurbs are better than new ones sometimes. The QC on refurbs means that device is looked over twice.

 

[rwh63]

lol, you might be right! i just got off the phone with support. i was told this comes from their "replacement inventory". i knew that already. that inventory might be anything from an open box return to the need for a part replacement. fully inspected and ready for service. all work done here in USA. comes with a 90 day warranty (or original if longer).

i'm happy, have an essentially new device with a warranty, and moving forward!

as for apple's super secret new SE inventory, maybe they will release them to the hungry general public someday!

 

[freeagent]

Nice man. That was the phone I wanted when it was time to upgrade my 5S, I went with a 7 instead for the bigger screen.

I agree with the comment about certified preowned phones being a quality item. I got an xs max 2 months ago that is my first certified preowned and it is mint. It is a beautiful phone. Maybe not the fastest or the best anymore, but it kicks the crap out of my old 7 in every possible way. Except one handed typing. And I saved a ton of cash because it is what it is, and I am cheap.

Battery is still at 100% and I use it often.

 

[rui no onna]

Glad to know they still exist! Bit of a misleading title, because Apple sent me an identical replacement due to a non-repairable issue with mine.
I had been dragging my feet on going through the process of getting this accomplished. I really only wanted a space gray, not another color, and was concerned that there wouldn't be any left.

They shipped just a replacement phone, so no accessories. Need to ship my phone back to them after data transfer. Apple came through for me!View attachment 900156View attachment 900157

They're required by law to provide parts replacement for repair (at least in CA).

1793.03.

(b) Every manufacturer making an express warranty with respect to an electronic or appliance product described in subdivision (h), (i), (j), or (k) of Section 9801 of the Business and Professions Code, with a wholesale price to the retailer of one hundred dollars ($100) or more, shall make available to service and repair facilities sufficient service literature and functional parts to effect the repair of a product for at least seven years after the date a product model or type was manufactured, regardless of whether the seven-year period exceeds the warranty period for the product

Iirc, there was a case with a guy having a Sony TV and Sony didn't have parts available to repair it within the 7-year period. After the guy went to the Atty General, I think Sony ended up having to give the guy a newer TV model (as functional equivalent).
[automerge]1584756574[/automerge]

all work done here in USA.

Yeah, I highly doubt this part. Afaik, they get sent to China for refurbishing. Much cheaper labor.

 

[rwh63]

well, all i can say is what i was told.

They're required by law to provide parts replacement for repair (at least in CA).



Iirc, there was a case with a guy having a Sony TV and Sony didn't have parts available to repair it within the 7-year period. After the guy went to the Atty General, I think Sony ended up having to give the guy a newer TV model (as functional equivalent).
[automerge]1584756574[/automerge]

Yeah, I highly doubt this part. Afaik, they get sent to China for refurbishing. Much cheaper labor.

usa vs china: all i can do is repeat what i am told by apple support.

repair vs replace: the apple store told me that the headphone jack is a non-repairable part and requires full replacement. that is what they did. i have no reason to doubt them, and am happy with the result.

 

[rui no onna]

well, all i can say is what i was told.


usa vs china: all i can do is repeat what i am told by apple support.

repair vs replace: the apple store told me that the headphone jack is a non-repairable part and requires full replacement. that is what they did. i have no reason to doubt them, and am happy with the result.

CA = California

Basically, within the 7 year period Apple either has to provide parts for repair. If they can't, they have to replace your device with something similar or better.

I think in the early iPad days, some were lucky enough to have gotten iPad upgrades when Apple didn't have old models available.

 

[44267547]

It’s not new, sometimes representatives use words that are misconstrued to the customer, where they believe it’s ‘new’. But regardless, if it looks new and Performs new, that’s really all that matters. Apple replaces the display if it shows signs of wear/damage, battery if required/needed (Which has to pass a ‘threshold load‘ test. )

 

[oVerboost]

As long as your happy with it, it doesn’t matter if it’s new or a genuine Apple refurb unit as these are often as good, if not better than a brand new factory device as they are checked meticulously and anything that’s not as it should be is replaced on the phone.

I’ve got a 128GB SE which I bought off eBay a few months back which was a factory sealed brand new device, and it’s still an awesome device! Just hope they get iOS 14 to try and sort some of these bugs out from the recent updates.

 

[JPack]

as for apple's super secret new SE inventory, maybe they will release them to the hungry general public someday!

Apple sold them at clearance prices in January and February 2019. Apple won't hold new inventory any longer than they need to because the price can only go down.

iPhone SE Makes Third Appearance on Apple's Clearance Store at $249—Act Fast

Apple has replenished stock of the iPhone SE on its online clearance store for the third time this month. These are brand new, unopened, and unlocked...

www.macrumors.com

 

[spyguy10709]

well, all i can say is what i was told.


usa vs china: all i can do is repeat what i am told by apple support.

repair vs replace: the apple store told me that the headphone jack is a non-repairable part and requires full replacement. that is what they did. i have no reason to doubt them, and am happy with the result.

> i have no reason to doubt them

I do! I worked for years in a mobile repair shop, and I can tell you for sure the headphone jack is absolutely a modular, replaceable part. You can order one for $5 off ebay.

Apple only has repair programs in place for the most commonly broken parts, and for whatever reason necessitate full-device replacement for things like charging ports/headphone jacks which should really be cheap repairs.

 

[rwh63]

Apple sold them at clearance prices in January and February 2019. Apple won't hold new inventory any longer than they need to because the price can only go down.

iPhone SE Makes Third Appearance on Apple's Clearance Store at $249—Act Fast

Apple has replenished stock of the iPhone SE on its online clearance store for the third time this month. These are brand new, unopened, and unlocked...

www.macrumors.com

yes, i bought a pair of 128gb phones from apple online during that period. they kept selling super fast. had to keep checking their inventory. i was fortunate to finally get ahold of them. paid $299/ea at the time.

prior to that horde release, i bought two family members 32gb silver SE's through a walmart black friday promo for $80/ea! had to sign up for their data service for a year before unlocking them. their service piggybacks on t-mobile, so wasn't a problem. $30/month for phone and data prepaid.

 

[MisterAndrew]

They're such a cute little phone. I didn't have an SE, but I had a 5S and I loved how it was small and lightweight. The small screen strained my eyes more than the larger phones though if I stared at it too long.

 

[NM08SRT8]

Glad to know they still exist! Bit of a misleading title, because Apple sent me an identical replacement due to a non-repairable issue with mine.
I had been dragging my feet on going through the process of getting this accomplished. I really only wanted a space gray, not another color, and was concerned that there wouldn't be any left.

They shipped just a replacement phone, so no accessories. Need to ship my phone back to them after data transfer. Apple came through for me!View attachment 900156View attachment 900157

Nice!

wish they would sell these. I’ve always wanted to try a SE model for more compact Phone compared to my 11 pro max.

 

[alpi123]

OP, can you just tell us what your model number starts with and end this debate?

My Xs Max replacement device also came in a white box with no accessories and was told its replacement... but happened to be a brand new device. Most likely because it was 1-2 months after it launched so there were no real refurbs yet.

 

[rwh63]

sure, serial number is: FRGC500A_ _ _ _
[automerge]1584923505[/automerge]

Nice!

wish they would sell these. I’ve always wanted to try a SE model for more compact Phone compared to my 11 pro max.

i love this size phone. easily slides into any pocket. i can manipulate it easily with one hand. also, cases are super cheap because they use the iPhone 5 cases. i use the headphone jack often. the main reason i sought the space gray's for the black front (rather than white). my first iPhone was a 4s. first cell phone was motorola RAZR.

grab a nice one off ebay. i really hope they support it for several more iOS cycles.

 

[Lucas284]

This is easily one of the best iPhone design of all time.