How to check: original or refurbished

[nuky8181]

Hi,

I found thread mentioning how to use the serial number to verify if the devices are original or refurbished for iPhone & iPad. I used the method on my friend iPad pro and it does not seem to make any sense.

Could anyone advise how I can verify if an iPad pro is original or refurbished using the serial number? I hope to use it as a method to verify before buying from other individual.

 

[Sherry_B]

I don't think there is a reliable way to do that without calling Apple and asking about the serial number. Your best bet is to purchase from an authorized Apple dealer.

 

[Alain_A]

I don't think there is a reliable way to do that without calling Apple and asking about the serial number. Your best bet is to purchase from an authorized Apple dealer.

What if apple sells you a refurbished for a brand new?

 

[Ledsteplin]

What if apple sells you a refurbished for a brand new?

I haven't heard of them doing that. You might get a new phone that was on display, but not a refurbished.

 

[Alain_A]

Mine is arriving today with the apple k-board.

 

[Alain_A]

Now debating if I should get the Adonit pen, which is way much cheaper than the apple one

 

[naddy6969]

There is nothing wrong with buying a refurbished device. There is no "stigma" attached to it. In fact, in most cases a refurb is a better AND safer deal. Allow me to explain.

When anything is sold as new, what do you think happens when that thing is returned to the store/seller, for ANY reason? Reasons can range from "it did not work at all" to "it had a scratch" to "I changed my mind".

At that point, it can no longer be sold again as "new". So, it gets shippped back to the manufacturer or, in many cases, to a manufacturer-approved "refurb facility". This is a place that has access to original parts, and can fix any issues that the device has. The devices get tested/fixed into "good as new" condition. They are then sold as refurbished because, again, they cannot be sold as new.

I have bought lots of stuff as refurbished. Tablets, phones, laptops, radios, etc. All kinds of stuff. Never had any problems with any of them. The reason is that, unlike new stuff, every refurb device has been tested. Many things sold as refurbished were just returns where the original buyer either did not know how to use it or they just had "buyer's remorse"'. Or it had a bad gizmo or a loose connection or whatever and did not work, but that issue has been fixed.

With things like phones, where everyone returns a phone to their carrier every 2 years, these get new batteries/screens/cases/whatever to again be "good as new ". This is where you can get a really good deal on a previous model.

What all of this means is this. Do not be afraid of refurbs. In fact, seek them out. You will get a good-as-new device at a deep discount.

 

[iBright]

I was looking for how to find out my leslie then came across this discussion. Then I did a lil research on it. This is the closest so far came across on how to find if an iphone is refurbished. I don't know if it applies to iPads and other devices.

Below is how to find out
Actually it is very simple to tell if the device is refurbished by Apple.
Look at the first Letter of the model number
"F": refurbished unit
"M": retail unit
"N": replacement unit
"P": personalized (engraved) unit

 

[mmedez]

Hi,

I found thread mentioning how to use the serial number to verify if the devices are original or refurbished for iPhone & iPad. I used the method on my friend iPad pro and it does not seem to make any sense.

Could anyone advise how I can verify if an iPad pro is original or refurbished using the serial number? I hope to use it as a method to verify before buying from other individual.

I know when apple sells refurbished devices, the box it goes with it is different than the brand new box