IPhone breaks under warranty but Att doesn't have same model phone anymore

they would probably have refurbs in store, or would have to order one.

Policy at most stores is that if they replace a model that is no longer available they upgrade you to the next model. Check out their web site and see if you can find their policy to read. I got a brand new Macbook Pro because the Apple store no longer had the Powerbook.

They will not be able to swap it out with a new phone, Even if they made the 3G still, if your phone breaks, you would still not get a new one. You will get a refurbished unit if available, if not, if it breaks, they will have to replace it with a comparable newer model, which means you would get a refurbished 3Gs instead.

Apple should still have plenty of iPhone 3G available for repair. I had a friend get an original iPhone repaired last year two years after release.

I almost broke my phone (att phone, and they fixed it in store) but they said if broken (mine is discontinued too) they would order a new one from HQ

AT&T does not handle iPhone exchanges under Apple's standard one year warranty or under Apple's extended warranty with AppleCare, which extends the standard one year warranty by an additional year.

Apple handles all iPhone warranty claims in the U.S. For an iPhone warranty claim, you can call AppleCare or make an appointment at an Apple store if there is one nearby.

bandit wrote:
Policy at most stores is that if they replace a model that is no longer available they upgrade you to the next model. Check out their web site and see if you can find their policy to read. I got a brand new Macbook Pro because the Apple store no longer had the Powerbook.

Yeah, i had insurance on my Blackjack II, and it was stolen, and they didn't make the Blackjack II anymore, so the just upgraded me to the next best phone for no extra cost. It's a sweet deal.

For a warranty claim, you have no choice. Per the written warranty, an exchange under warranty will be a new or refurbished iPhone with no way to tell the difference.

By law and it may be CA law, Apple is required to have a supply of each iPhone model on hand for an exchange under warranty which includes the iPhones that fall under Apple's extended one year warranty with AppleCare. I haven't read any reports or claims that Apple replaced an original iPhone with a 3G or 3GS under warranty due to not having an original iPhone available for the exchange - either new or refurbished.

As already stated they will give you next next best phone they can.
In your case it will probably be a 3GS.

Apple handles all warranty issues with the iPhone, NOT ATT. If you have an issue, Apple will have refurbs of your model phone.