Why does my iphone 4 serial number not match the decode sequence?

[NorCalZman]

I smashed my iphone 4 glass last night, whoops. Apple took mercy on me today and gave me a iphone 4 for free. I was curious to see how old this unit was and its serial number isnt matching up with what Im seeing on this site.

8710164AA4T

When was this built?

 

[Intell]

It seems to have been built in the first week of 2011. But the 87 suggests that it's a refurb.

 

[NorCalZman]

well as long as everything works (it does) and it has a new battery in it (I hope) then whatever. It was free!

 

[ssdeg7]

well as long as everything works (it does) and it has a new battery in it (I hope) then whatever. It was free!

Refurbs aren't bad products.

 

[milani]

Refurbs are usually better quality that production line products. There are far better quality controls placed on refurbished products.

 

[Vegaspilot]

I just bought an iPhone 4 a couple days ago and its an 87046 build. It was brand new in box. How is 87 signaling refurb??

 

[Intell]

How is 87 signaling refurb??

I may be wrong about that. I do know that there is some number combo that suggests the iDevice is a refurb. Maybe 87 isn't the correct combo.

 

[Vegaspilot]

I may be wrong about that. I do know that there is some number combo that suggests the iDevice is a refurb. Maybe 87 isn't the correct combo.

Right on. Granted it did have a small, super light scratch on the back and a speck of something under the front screen (can only see them in bright light), but it was brand new, sealed in box. I'm just trying to tell myself that it's a keeper since everything works and the screen isn't yellow...you always take a chance on an exchange and I've been burned before trying to get a "better" one in the past.