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EnchantedPlague

macrumors member
Original poster
Feb 25, 2011
54
20
I got my replacement iPhone today (still has a yellow tinted screen as all replacements seem to have) and I noticed something weird about the serial number. Normal new iPhone begin with 7k or 8k, and referb ones start with 5k, however this one starts with 61. What does this exactly mean?
 
Mine does too, I had the yellow screen issue with my 5K 4 so I took it back, got another 5K and it was yellow. Went back, the guy said he went through 30 replacements and all were yellow tinted, so he gave me a new one. Series starts with 61 and the screen is perfect. no yellow tint at all.
 
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Forgot to say my 61 is a us phone with At&t
 
so 5k is refur?! damn..... I had my replacement (due to the sleep wake key issue) on wednesday and my replacement is a 5k. :( I want a brand new phone!! :(
the phone when i first got back in july (the one being replaced) is a 8k
 
so 5k is refur?! damn..... I had my replacement (due to the sleep wake key issue) on wednesday and my replacement is a 5k. :( I want a brand new phone!! :(
the phone when i first got back in july (the one being replaced) is a 8k


Not sure if 5K is or isnt, but Im wondering what 61 is. Never heard of it until I recently got it.
 
If this applies to all iPhones (not only 4's), then my current one is a refurb. My original iPhone 3GS 8GB was an 84, the replacement was an 88, and this one is a 5k...
 
If this applies to all iPhones (not only 4's), then my current one is a refurb. My original iPhone 3GS 8GB was an 84, the replacement was an 88, and this one is a 5k...


I think 5K are refurbs, my first 2 replacement 4s were 5K and now my newest is 61 like the OP
 
oh wait just kidding my original brand new iphone 4 (the one being replaced) was a 83. but my replacement phone is for sure a 5k. and on Apple site it says all the replacements are either brand new or refurbished to original performance. So i guess you can't be sure that 5k are all refurbished unless someone buys a refurbished iphone 4 and it has a 5k number. but what it's for sure is that it seems all the replacement phones are 5k.

BTW, when u got your replacement phone, did your applecare got transferred as well? I got my replacement on Wednesday and i checked online today, the applecare still hasn't shown up on my current replacement phone. ?! :(
 
Applecare sometimes takes a while to get transferred over I heard. I dont have it though. Seems Brand new are 7 or 8, refurbs 5K, no idea what 61 is (but my 61 is blue tinted) OPs is yellow. Every 5K phone ive seen is yellow tinted.
 
If this applies to all iPhones (not only 4's), then my current one is a refurb. My original iPhone 3GS 8GB was an 84, the replacement was an 88, and this one is a 5k...

My original 3GS was an 86 and my replacement is a 5K.
 
so 5k is refur?! damn..... I had my replacement (due to the sleep wake key issue) on wednesday and my replacement is a 5k. :( I want a brand new phone!! :(
the phone when i first got back in july (the one being replaced) is a 8k

you gave them a used phone... why do you deserve a brand new one?
 
oh wait just kidding my original brand new iphone 4 (the one being replaced) was a 83. but my replacement phone is for sure a 5k. and on Apple site it says all the replacements are either brand new or refurbished to original performance. So i guess you can't be sure that 5k are all refurbished unless someone buys a refurbished iphone 4 and it has a 5k number. but what it's for sure is that it seems all the replacement phones are 5k.

BTW, when u got your replacement phone, did your applecare got transferred as well? I got my replacement on Wednesday and i checked online today, the applecare still hasn't shown up on my current replacement phone. ?! :(

My applecare still has not transfered over yet either. I am going to give it a few more days before I call them and ask whats up.

Also, regarding the statement, the replacement is either new or referbished. I think if the replacement is refeb it will have a 5k and if the replacement is new it will have a different serial like 61. Just cause it comes in the black box doesnt mean it will have a 5k serial number.
 
I'm on my third iPhone... First was a regular serial number, second was a 5K and now my latest replacement is a 6Q. :confused:

I don't think it really matters much if the phone looks and functions brand new, which all replacements do (or they get replaced again!).
 
*sigh*

I really wish people would understand the differences between refurbished and remanufacturered.

Apple does not give out refurbished iPhones (according to Apple). If you receive a replacement iPhone, it is expected to be remanufacturered....not refurbished.
 
*sigh*

I really wish people would understand the differences between refurbished and remanufacturered.

Apple does not give out refurbished iPhones (according to Apple). If you receive a replacement iPhone, it is expected to be remanufacturered....not refurbished.
Can you cite the source for this? Could come in handy for future questions like this :) .
 
I've got a 5k iPhone 4 (it's my third one, for the record) and my screen is beautiful and white :D
 
*sigh*

I really wish people would understand the differences between refurbished and remanufacturered.

Apple does not give out refurbished iPhones (according to Apple). If you receive a replacement iPhone, it is expected to be remanufacturered....not refurbished.

that's what happens when you give the wrong people access too the internet ;)
 
My refurb from AT&T is 7T. I was under the impression that the first 2 letters/numbers referred to the factory and the 7T/5K etc. were apple owned facories, 5K being where refurbs were done and factories 61/83/88 were factories in china that made the phones. I could be totaly wrong though.
 
My refurb from AT&T is 7T. I was under the impression that the first 2 letters/numbers referred to the factory and the 7T/5K etc. were apple owned facories, 5K being where refurbs were done and factories 61/83/88 were factories in china that made the phones. I could be totaly wrong though.



Ya I was curious and bored so I called AppleCare. They said any phone with a LETTER (A, B, C, K, Q) after a NUMBER (1-10) is a refurb (or remanufactured) for example 5K or 6Q. Any phone with 2 LETTERS like 61 or 87 is new...


maybe hes wrong i dunno haha. He said people ask a lot bc they dont want refurbs when they get a replacement.
 
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Applecare sometimes takes a while to get transferred over I heard. I dont have it though. Seems Brand new are 7 or 8, refurbs 5K, no idea what 61 is (but my 61 is blue tinted) OPs is yellow. Every 5K phone ive seen is yellow tinted.

well my replacement phone is a 5k and it seems alright. I don't see any yellow tint at all.
 
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