How to check if an iPhone is new, refurbished, or a replacement unit

There are no external indicators on an iPhone or iPad that reveal whether it’s fresh out of the box, refurbished, or a replacement provided by Apple through a service request. In this guide, we’ll show you how to discern between brand new iPhones, refurbished models, replacement units, and even devices customized with Apple’s laser engraving.

Icon of a confused man next to an iPhone asking if it's new

Knowing if an iPhone is new or refurbished is important not only in determining its market value, especially when buying a used device from a shady source, but also when troubleshooting or repairing devices. 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.

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. And how cool would it be if you could distinguish between normal and laser-engraved appearance, taking the phone out of your pocket?

Follow along as we teach you how.

How to tell if an iPhone is new or refurbished

1) Open the Settings app on your iOS device.

2) Tap General > About.

3) Your device’s model identifier is shown next to the 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.
Seeing Model Number in iPhone Settings
You can see my iPhone’s Model Number starts with “M” — which means it’s a new device.

To clear up any confusion, the model identifier (i.e., MN572LL/A) is longer than the general part or model 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 out your iPhone or iPad’s model identifier printed on the very 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 — you were issued a brand-new device, not a refurbished or repaired unit.

Lastly, don’t forget to 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!

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