Is the first letter in the serial number of unrefurbished AirPods 3 always 'M'?

Hello OK_VANS,

welcome to thhe Apple (user-to-user) Community!

Re: "For unrefurbished AirPods 3, should the first letter in the serial number be M?"

Sorry I do not know for sure ... just thought your post to the community deserves at lease some response.

Serial numbers are unique identifiers that are best kept private. I understand there are the non-genuine copies about, with and without genuine serial numbers.

Identify your AirPods - Apple Support

says

"AirPods 3

Model number: A2565, A2564

Year introduced: 2021

You can find the serial number of your AirPods in the same place as the model number. Follow the steps at the beginning of this article (link above). If necessary, you can learn other ways to find the serial number."

Also: If you have the serial number, you can enter it online (link below) if you wish:

You can see if it is recognised, and what info. is available there.

(or see if it generates an error message, in which case the AorPods 3 may not be genuine..)

Check Your Service and Support Coverage - Apple Support

All the best :-)

Thank you kindly for taking the time to reply :-)