How to identify whether an iphone has been used previously?

Replacement devices from Apple ARE normally refurbished devices (unless Apple had none available).

There is info regarding model numbers…

https://www.theiphonewiki.com/wiki/Models

I have no way of knowing what the previous owner did with that device.

What you are saying is simply not true. I went many times true the apple warranty system. I never ever got a refurbished iphone. The iphones you get at the genious bar as replacement in the brown paper carton are NEW mobiles with the screen protector still attached in the front and back. I can't talk for somebody else. But i always got new replacements.

from0toHero wrote:

What you are saying is simply not true. I went many times true the apple warranty system. I never ever got a refurbished iphone. The iphones you get at the genious bar as replacement in the brown paper carton are NEW mobiles with the screen protector still attached in the front and back. I can't talk for somebody else. But i always got new replacements.

How do you know they're new? The refurbished replacement units can have new screens and casings. And, Apple is as capable of putting plastic wrapping on a refurbished phone as a new one. No Apple phone, by the way, comes with a screen protector.

Refurbished devices are refurbished in Apples own factories they are perfectly capable of applying screen protector plastic to refurbished devices. Review your model numbers if you want to confirm. It depends on Apples own stock levels and how new the device is.

Read the terms of the warranty if you think Apple will always give out new devices - that is not what the warranty says.

Any service units, and all Apple refurbished products will appear as new, and will be packaged as new items are (plastic protective covers and all). Service units and refurbished items come from the OEM factory, and they seal them up just like they do the new units. And Apple's factory refurbishment process always includes a complete new display, and new battery as a standard part of all refurbishments.

The actual refurbished items Apple sells in their online web store actually come with a full one year standard warranty, and are eligible for AppleCare extended warranties. So Apple treats them as effectively new items.

Also, since the iphone 6 has been discontinued for awhile, I highly doubt the OP is dealing with a retail new, never sold item. Apple will have plenty of service units for replacements - they will not have sacked away stocks of unsold, new iPhone 6 handsets. Usually, with the introduction of a new iPhone, the first service units are ones that failed some aspect of product QC, when back for repair/refurbishment to bring them up to spec, and get slotted into the service unit category (since most countries have requirements that manufacturers ensure sufficient warranty replacement units in supply when they start selling a new item).

So it is a very rare case when Apple has to resort to using an unsold, retail new unit for a warranty replacement.

That just speaks to how well apple refurbishes units, if you see them and think they are new.

The fact remains in most cases the replacement units are refurbished ones.

The thing is, Apple will replace the back plate, the screen and any internal component if deemed necessary. So most refurbished units will in fact be indistinguishable from new ones.

No my friend. I know what the difference is between a refurbished mobile and a spanky new one. When you get a mobile that was never used before is clearly visible. And when you get a refurbished mobile even if they really did good job its visible. There will be tiny abrassions because it was used before. Believe me there is a difference. But in the end maybe only apple knows. I will not say im 1000% sure. Everything is possible.

from0toHero wrote:

No my friend. I know what the difference is between a refurbished mobile and a spanky new one. When you get a mobile that was never used before is clearly visible. And when you get a refurbished mobile even if they really did good job its visible. There will be tiny abrassions because it was used before. Believe me there is a difference. But in the end maybe only apple knows. I will not say im 1000% sure. Everything is possible.

Again, the screen is brand new and sometimes other externals as well. Pardon me I I trust what Apple tells me more than what your intuition tells you.

from0toHero wrote:

No my friend. I know what the difference is between a refurbished mobile and a spanky new one.

Obviously, you do not. Which again proves that Apple's refurbishment process is second to none. Every refurbished Apple product I have purchased have been identical in every respect to new, except for the price.

Oh and more proof. When the iphone 6 plus came out, i went home with a retail unit that was not working fresh out of the box. The next day i went back and got a new unit from the brown box i told you. This was before even refurbished units were available. The iphone 6 plus was maybe 1 week sold. So dont claim things your not pretty sure about.

Which proves absolutely nothing. The "brown box" unit could be new or refurbished, depending on supply of sufficient refurbished units. This has always been the case. In the case of a newly released model, yes, it could be a "new" unit.

Well than i have maybe to correct myself. Whenever i used the warranty of a apple product it was directly after release of a new product. I mean i got the product and saw the flaws the same or next day. Like as example dust between the lcd, scratches right out of the box and things like that. And so early in the life span of a product there were no refurbs available so i always got a new product. I can't speak for later into the life span of a product because i never exchanged something later than some days after purchase.

from0toHero wrote:

Oh and more proof. When the iphone 6 plus came out, i went home with a retail unit that was not working fresh out of the box. The next day i went back and got a new unit from the brown box i told you. This was before even refurbished units were available. The iphone 6 plus was maybe 1 week sold. So dont claim things your not pretty sure about.

If you ordered from Apple online or purchased at an Apple Store, you have a 14 day unconditional return period. The only time I've had a bad unit out of the box (iPad with bad home button) I went back the next day and got a replacement right off the shelf of units sitting in the store cabinets (technically processed by the Apple Store as a return for full refund, and then a new purchase with new receipt).

Within that 14 day return period, the warranty doesn't even enter into anything. It is a wholly unconditional return period, no explanation required other than "I'd like to return this for a refund, please".

So if within 14 days if purchase from Apple, yes, I can believe you got a retail new unit, but it would not have been recorded by Apple as a warranty exchange.

https://discussions.apple.com/thread/2548196?tstart=0

Here you can see refurbished units dont always look so good as you claim

Well the guys at the genious bar told me this are brand bew units. So i dont just trust my eyes.

Have a goid one.