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chiseenchinaman

macrumors newbie
Original poster
Oct 28, 2008
20
0
Hey guys, i (and i'm sure others) would like to see the extent of the cosmetically blemished iPhones that AT&T sells. I ordered a 32g iphone4 thats a refurb cosmetic blemished iphone. i'll chip in and post pics of it when it comes.

Note: don't post strictly refurbished iphones as they will look like new phones (doesn't really help the thread)

Edit: pictures. gotta say... damn good deal for a 32gb iphone4. looks good, works fine. paid 179.

IMG_0196.jpg

IMG_0200.jpg

IMG_0199.jpg

one scratch, barely visible
IMG_0198.jpg
 
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This is from previous experience, I got a refurbed iPhone 3G and it came looking like a BRAND New iPhone like it comes with original screen protector, it's hard to tell a refurbed iPhone from a new one


The one you ordered will probably look new or have possibly a small scratch other then that there should be no blemishs
 
I have bought abou 10 iPhone refurbs over the last 2yrs and they all come looking as brand new
 
maybe because a refurb iPhone uses new cases all round and the only thing refurb'd is the internals which are tested more vigorously than new models as they are a refurb
 
maybe because a refurb iPhone uses new cases all round and the only thing refurb'd is the internals which are tested more vigorously than new models as they are a refurb

Getting new cases is often true for Apple refurbs.

More vigorous testing is not. Apple states that they're tested to the same standards as factory new items.

In any case, I like buying Apple refurbs because of the price :)
 
I ordered one of these from AT&T a couple months ago. It came looking brand new but the earpiece didn't work so I had to get it switched at Apple.
 
I wouldn't order refurb from AT&T, but from Apple, I definitely would.
 
Getting new cases is often true for Apple refurbs.

More vigorous testing is not. Apple states that they're tested to the same standards as factory new items.

In any case, I like buying Apple refurbs because of the price :)
ah but a new product gets tested than the same product gets tested at refurb stage so if its going to fail it would at the 2nd stage of testing surely? hmm i think were both right in different ways :cool:
 
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SL4VE said:
Getting new cases is often true for Apple refurbs.

More vigorous testing is not. Apple states that they're tested to the same standards as factory new items.

In any case, I like buying Apple refurbs because of the price :)
ah but a new product gets tested than the same product gets tested at refurb stage so if its going to fail it would at the 2nd stage of testing surely? hmm i think were both right in different ways :cool:

True, They've tested the iPhone more times times then buying a new one and it's much cheaper...it's a win win situation
 
ah but a new product gets tested than the same product gets tested at refurb stage so if its going to fail it would at the 2nd stage of testing surely? hmm i think were both right in different ways :cool:

You're right: each module has been tested twice. (Assuming no new parts are used.) (*)

So that argues that the original testing should be twice as long, eh? (Since you appear to claim that a second stage of testing would show up any failures.) *grin*

In addition, they could easily use modules from several phones to put together a refurb, and it'd be the first time they were ever used together, providing a possibly new failure path.

What we don't know, is what are the major failure causes. If, for instance, the CPU and memory rarely fails.... but most iPhones fail after X number of Home button pushes, then burning in the CPU and memory is fairly moot.

Some things to think about. Cheers!

(*) Heck, they might've been tested even more times, if that part came back over and over again in refurb'd phones.
 
to see the extent of the damage on the refurb cosmetic blemished iphones that at&t are selling. they sell new (that are new). refubs (used, fixed and are in new/like new condition) and refurb with cosmetic blemishes (used, fixed but have cosmetic blemishes).

i'd like to see how cosmetically blemished is cosmetically blemished.
 

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Getting new cases is often true for Apple refurbs.

More vigorous testing is not. Apple states that they're tested to the same standards as factory new items.

In any case, I like buying Apple refurbs because of the price :)

Wrong. New products are only tested at random or lightly.

Apple refurb is tested more.
 
Most of the people here are missing the point of his post. He's not talking about "Refurbished" from Apple or AT&T. He's talking about Cosmetically Blemished. It's an offer that AT&T does online only. For example a blemished 3GS is $20. I am curious about this myself, as a friend is looking to sign onto our family plan but can't afford a new iPhone.
 
Most of the people here are missing the point of his post. He's not talking about "Refurbished" from Apple or AT&T. He's talking about Cosmetically Blemished. It's an offer that AT&T does online only. For example a blemished 3GS is $20. I am curious about this myself, as a friend is looking to sign onto our family plan but can't afford a new iPhone.

omg... someone that actually comprehended my simple OP (i thought i made it pretty clear.) thanks for showing me that someone on the board isn't hearing what they wanna hear. :D
 
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