Nothing about an iPhone or iPad’s exterior of indicates whether it’s a brand spanking new or refurbished device, or perhaps one of those replacement units that Apple provides through a service request. In this tutorial, we’ll tell you how to distinguish between brand new iPhones, refurbs, replacements and even devices personalized by engraving.

Knowing if an iPhone is new or refurbished is important in determining its market value. This information could come in handy when troubleshooting or repairing an iOS device as well.

Refurbished gadgets, listed in the Certified Refurbished Products section of the online Apple Store, are tested and certified by Apple itself (you can also get refurbs via third-party sellers).

These like-new devices come with a new battery and chassis, include Apple’s 1-year warranty and are eligible for the AppleCare extended warranty products. Refurbished apple products are up to fifteen percent cheaper than truly new products fresh out of the factory.

iPhone model number
Apple sells certified refurbished products through its online store

You may also like to know if you might be buying an iPhone that Apple provided to the owner as a replacement through a service request.

Last but not least, wouldn’t it be great if you could distinguish between normal and laser-engraved appearance without taking the phone out of the case?

Follow along with iDB as we tell you how.

How to tell if an iPhone is new or refurbished

Follow the steps listed below.

  1. Open the Settings app on your iOS device.
  2. Tap General in the list
  3. Tap the option About at the top of the list.
  4. Your devices’s model identifier is shown next to Model Number.

Now look for the first character of the model identifier to determine if this device is new, refurbished, replacement or personalized:

  • M — This is a retail device that was purchased brand new.
  • F — This device was used before, but has undergone Apple’s certified refurbishment to make it “like new”. Beware of refurbished iPhones and iPads that untrustworthy sellers offer at full price as brand new devices.
  • N — The owner received this device through an Apple service request as a replacement for their originally purchased unit.
  • P — This is a new retail device that was ordered online and personalized with Apple’s custom laser engraving option at checkout.

TUTORIAL: Finding HomePod’s serial number and iOS software version

To clear up any confusion, the model identifier (i.e. “MN572LL/A) is longer than the general part number (something like “A1920”) and may include special characters, like the slash.

Tap the entry to cycle between the shorter model number and the longer model identifier

You can also check your iPhone or iPad’s model identifier on the box it came in: just flip the box over and look at the bottom. Buying a used device? Confirm that you’re getting the right thing by running its model number against Apple’s list of all iPhone models.

If you received a replacement from Apple and it has an “M” for new, congratulations—Apple actually gave you a brand new device rather than issue a refurbished or repaired device to serve as the replacement.

TUTORIAL: How to interpret the serial number of your iPhone

And lastly, verify if a second-hand device you’re buying might have been reported lost or stolen by entering the IMEI or serial number at stolenphonechecker.com.

Need help? Ask iDB!

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