iPhone Model NE438B/A

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Level 1

10 points

iPhone Model NE438B/A

Hi,

I've just bought an iPhone 5s from ebay. It arrived prompty and everything looks works and looks ok, but I have noticed a couple of inconsistancies. Its a complete new item, but the box was unwrapped - listing said he "had a look", however the IMEI and serial numbers on the box don't match the phone - not sure if this is a real issue, just wondered if this was a sign of something bad?!

But almost the biggest concern is the model number, which the box says is ME438B/A, but the about screen clearly states NE438B/A - what does this mean; I can't find a single reference to this online!

Many thanks

Ben.

Posted on Jan 8, 2014 12:00 PM

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Answer 1

Jan 8, 2014 12:10 PM in response to hc98br

Hi

What happens when you enter its serial number (as you read it in the General section of the Settings App) here:

https://getsupport.apple.com/ProductSelector.action

HTH?

Tony

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Answer 2

hc98br Author

Level 1

10 points

Jan 8, 2014 12:27 PM in response to Antonio Rocco

Hi, thanks.

That page just gives me links to book support - bit confussing!?

This page: https://selfsolve.apple.com/agreementWarrantyDynamic.do identifies it correctly as an iPhone 5S, has a tick next to the Valid Purchase Date, says Telephone Support has expired and Repairs and Service Coverage is active til the 6 Oct 2014

The serial number on the box comes brings back the message "We're sorry, but this is a serial number for a product that has been replaced. Please check your information and re-enter your serial number."

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Answer 3

Jan 8, 2014 12:33 PM in response to hc98br

Hi

It might mean you bought a gray market phone that it was either replaced, reported lost, or even reported stolen. Seeing as you bought it on eBay (a dodgy thing to do anyway) it may even have been re-sold illegally? In all likelihood it will have no warranty and Apple will not service it with an out of warranty replacement. The fact that the serial numbers don't match with what's on the box and you're seeing a model number that's not what it should be would ring some major alarm bells in anyone's books.

HTH?

Tony

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Answer 4

varjak paw

Level 10

182,662 points

Jan 8, 2014 1:12 PM in response to hc98br

I may be wrong, but I believe that the model number starting with "N" indicates that the iPhone was a refurbished unit provided as a replacement for a defective or damaged unit, which would be consistent with the box having a different serial number which returns the message of having been replaced. If you were sold this iPhone as being new, then you were almost certainly lied to, but otherwise it would seem that the iPhone is correct and may well work just fine.

Regards.

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Answer 5

KiltedTim

Level 10

225,354 points

Jan 8, 2014 1:41 PM in response to hc98br

The box is not the box for that phone. That phone did not come in a box at all... (actually, it came in a plain brown box). The phone in your hands is a service replacement. Lord only knows where the box actually came from, but it's not the box that phone came in.

The serial number on the box isn't relevant to anything.

If the seller said it was "new", they lied. It's a service unit. It may be new, it may be reconditioned. There is no way to tell the difference.

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Answer 6

hc98br Author

Level 1

10 points

Jan 8, 2014 2:37 PM in response to hc98br

On closer inspection its listed as "new other", and only described as "mint condidion", so wan't lied to, apart from the "only opened to have a look" line!

Still, if the "N" does mean refurbished, and the box is from the orginal that was sent back that all holds. It is in "mint condition" and the price was right for a refurb, would have been nice if he was more honest but all in all I'm happy.

Thanks for your help

Ben.

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