Apple told me my device is Demo unit so Trade In is not available - how come?

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준영288 Author

Level 1

4 points

Apple told me my device is Demo unit so Trade In is not available - how come?

I bought my wife iphone 16 pro max device back in South Korea.

(I bought at Korean Carrier store, SKT)

Last month, I bought iphone 17 Pro for her, and send her old iphone 16 pro max for trade in.

Apple rejected and told me it is "demo unit".

Does it mean that the SKT store sold me demo unit? Is there any way I can find out what happened?

And if they sold me Demo unit, what can I do against them? Any suggestion?

iPhone 15 Pro Max

Posted on Nov 4, 2025 9:14 AM

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Answer 1

Nov 4, 2025 9:28 AM in response to 준영288

You should contact SKT and ask them to explain WHY they sold you a phone they shouldn't have sold you.

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Answer 2

KiltedTim

Level 10

228,450 points

Nov 4, 2025 9:24 AM in response to 준영288

Because it is illegal to sell demo units. The demo units do not belong to the retailers, they belong to Apple. You are in possession of stolen property. They will not accept it in trade. Be grateful they did not call the police.

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Answer 3

준영288 Author

Level 1

4 points

Nov 4, 2025 9:45 AM in response to lobsterghost1

Any idea that what happens next?

Should I request refund to them?

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Answer 4

Kurtosis12

Level 9

77,122 points

Nov 4, 2025 10:01 AM in response to 준영288

Should I request refund to them?

Do whatever you want, this is not an Apple issue but I would suspect any company that is so dishonest to sell you a demo phone would likely not give you a refund.

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Apple told me my device is Demo unit so Trade In is not available - how come?

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