Refurbished or not?

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Level 1

4 points

Refurbished or not?

Hi all. I understand the significance of Apple's MODEL numbers when indicating whether a unit is new, a replacement, refurbished or personalised.

However, does the serial number also carry any significance, or hint as to whether a unit is refurbished or not? Would appreciate any intel out there! (I have a friend with a replacement iPad, so the model number starts with an 'N', but he seemingly has no way of knowing whether this replacement was a refurb or not). The serial number of his replacement starts with an 'F'.

Thanks so much!

Posted on Feb 1, 2022 3:23 PM

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Answer 1

stedman1

Level 10

265,782 points

Feb 1, 2022 3:36 PM in response to JazB-666

The starting letter of the serial number is not relevant to the New/Refurbished status.

As you know, the N at the start of the model number indicates it is a replacement unit, nothing more than that.

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Answer 2

LotusPilot

Level 10

308,203 points

Feb 1, 2022 3:42 PM in response to JazB-666

The “N” prefix to the model identifier indicates a “replacement device”.

This is the full list of prefix identifiers - and their meaning.

M – Brand new device, meaning the device was purchased new
F – Refurbished device, meaning the device has been through refurbishing process
N – Replacement device, meaning the originally bought device was replaced by this model likely due to a service request
P – Personalized device with engraving, meaning the device was customized with an engraving on purchase

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Answer 3

stedman1

Level 10

265,782 points

Feb 1, 2022 3:44 PM in response to JazB-666

I seriously doubt that anyone outside of the technicians that actually perform refurbishing would have any idea of the refurbished status. If the quality of a replacement unit is even remotely as good as the many refurbished Apple products I have purchased, I can’t imagine there would be any quality issue.

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Answer 4

JazB-666 Author

Level 1

4 points

Feb 1, 2022 3:39 PM in response to stedman1

Thank you Stedman - appreciate the advice. In your learned opinion (and I say that after seeing the number of posts you have on this forum!), will Apple tell me whether the device is a refurb or not?

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Answer 5

JazB-666 Author

Level 1

4 points

Feb 1, 2022 4:02 PM in response to stedman1

Unfortunately it was not. The screen separated from the body (in his hands) less than 2 weeks after they gave it to him. And no, he did not damage it himself, or do anything untoward with it. Yes - I've seen all the threads where people jump in and claim "he/she must've done something" etc. Nope, nada, zilch. It made a fizzing kind of sound, and the body bent slightly, and the screen popped up - you can see all the glue in it. Anyway... guess that answers my question. Thank you.

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Answer 6

ChrisJ4203

Level 10

236,807 points

Feb 1, 2022 4:12 PM in response to JazB-666

If the device was replaced by Apple, contact Apple Support for assistance. It sounds like the battery may have failed if you heard a sound and the device separated. If it was from Apple, then even a warranty replacement carriers a 90 day warranty and you say this happened after 2 weeks.

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Answer 7

JazB-666 Author

Level 1

4 points

Feb 1, 2022 4:28 PM in response to ChrisJ4203

He has tried everything - Apple have refused to assist. And this is a careful, 63 year old - not some careless kid (no offence to all the savvy kids out there!!) :-) Took it back to Genius and the young guy behind the counter refused to help - literally just brushed him off. Said he must have done something to it, or caused the damage - it literally happened while he was using it; holding it in his hands. The battery hasn't failed, because the iPad is still functional - it works fine, it's just slightly bent, with the screen popped up. Because they gave it to him in a plain cardboard box, he figured it was a refurb and the re-gluing or reassembly must've been defective, but there's (apparently) no way of knowing.

Extremely frustrating.

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Refurbished or not?

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