Difference between a replacement set and refurbished

[Hansl]

Perhaps this has been asked before, but just wondering again. I am aware for every new product, Apple keeps some sets to be used as "Replacement Sets". Meaning they are new but just without the Accessories. These sets are to be used for those who replaced their sets during the warranty period. Hence I like to believe they are as good as new?

On the other hand, unlike Refurbished sets, they may contain parts from other devices etc. I understand it goes through a stringent process as well.

Is my understanding correct?

 

[Newtons Apple]

Perhaps this has been asked before, but just wondering again. I am aware for every new product, Apple keeps some sets to be used as "Replacement Sets". Meaning they are new but just without the Accessories. These sets are to be used for those who replaced their sets during the warranty period. Hence I like to believe they are as good as new?

On the other hand, unlike Refurbished sets, they may contain parts from other devices etc. I understand it goes through a stringent process as well.

Is my understanding correct?

When a device is first introduced, Apple will have some replacement units and they will be new but lacking the accessories. After a while, a few month, Apple will be refurbishing these units and they are supposed to be a good as new. I have never been sold on the idea that refurbs are as good or better than the original, but other think so.

 

[Hansl]

When a device is first introduced, Apple will have some replacement units and they will be new but lacking the accessories. After a while, a few month, Apple will be refurbishing these units and they are supposed to be a good as new. I have never been sold on the idea that refurbs are as good or better than the original, but other think so.

Hence, assuming when one gets a replacement units from a new product, can one assume they are wholly new?

 

[ericwn]

I think there is no way to predict if a service replacement will be new or refurbished. When a product is new it’s more likely that the service replacement device will be new too.

From an end user’s perspective the device will seem brand new one way or the other.

 

[Hansl]

I think there is no way to predict if a service replacement will be new or refurbished. When a product is new it’s more likely that the service replacement device will be new too.

From an end user’s perspective the device will seem brand new one way or the other.

Indeed! Unlike iPhones which you can tell via the serial number. Not sure if such applies to iPad.

 

[digitalcuriosity]

I have seen this same thing with Canon Cameras, my feelings is,the Camera or iPad is never better then when it's first Mfg.ed. When there rebuilt "refurbed" or repaired who really knows how it was done and with new or parts from another returned product.

Sure many time there fixed good but i have read many time they are not, many time it's just small items that now are not the same, and some time the fixed product is again failing.

I don't want a refurbed iPad i went through this with a Samsung tablet years ago, they fixed it but it quickly failed again after around 6 Months of fighting with them they replaced it with a cheaper tablet told me take it or it's nothing.

So when my iPadPro has a problem i want a brand new iPadPro if Apple won't give me one thats it for dealing with Apple.

 

[ericwn]

I have seen this same thing with Canon Cameras, my feelings is,the Camera or iPad is never better then when it's first Mfg.ed. When there rebuilt "refurbed" or repaired who really knows how it was done and with new or parts from another returned product.

Sure many time there fixed good but i have read many time they are not, many time it's just small items that now are not the same, and some time the fixed product is again failing.

I don't want a refurbed iPad i went through this with a Samsung tablet years ago, they fixed it but it quickly failed again after around 6 Months of fighting with them they replaced it with a cheaper tablet told me take it or it's nothing.

So when my iPadPro has a problem i want a brand new iPadPro if Apple won't give me one thats it for dealing with Apple.

Apple doesn’t hand out new devices for service replacement purposes. All service replacement devices are usually refurbished except for when a product just launched.

 

[Hansl]

Apple doesn’t hand out new devices for service replacement purposes. All service replacement devices are usually refurbished except for when a product just launched.

And how do you know that? Do you have any personal encounter to share? Or are these your assumptions?

 

[GGJstudios]

Perhaps this has been asked before, but just wondering again. I am aware for every new product, Apple keeps some sets to be used as "Replacement Sets". Meaning they are new but just without the Accessories. These sets are to be used for those who replaced their sets during the warranty period. Hence I like to believe they are as good as new?

Whether a replacement is a previously unused device or a refurbished device (many of which are unused), you likely would not be able to tell the difference in terms of reliability, appearance or function.

On the other hand, unlike Refurbished sets, they may contain parts from other devices etc. I understand it goes through a stringent process as well.

Apple refurbished products are considered by most to be a very good deal, as they're pretty much like buying a new product, except for the box.

Apple Certified Refurbished Products are pre-owned Apple products that undergo Apple's stringent refurbishment process prior to being offered for sale. While only some units are returned due to technical issues, all units undergo Apple's stringent quality refurbishment process.

Click the link in that quote for more details on the refurbishment process.

• Apple Certified Refurbished Products are available online from the Apple Refurb Store and are not sold in local Apple stores.
• Educational discounts do not apply to refurb products.
• Refurb products come with the same warranty as new products, and qualify for AppleCare.
• Refurb products have a changed serial number that identifies them as refurbished.
• Refurb products come with whatever OS version and software they originally shipped with as new.
• Refurb products come with the same items in the box as new products, only the box is a plain one, not the new box.
• A refurb product could have some cosmetic signs of prior use, but rarely do.
• A refurb Mac notebook may have some cycles on the battery, but not a significant enough amount to affect usable life.
• The refurb store inventory changes frequently, sometimes several times a day, and doesn't have any direct relation to upcoming product releases. What's available in the refurb store is determined by what has been returned to Apple.
• If you're looking for a particular item, refurb.me can alert you when it becomes available.

Guide to Buying Refurbished Apple Products

 

[bevsb2]

If I had a product that failed within the return period I would return it and buy a new product. If it failed after the return period I guess I would have to take what Apple gives me, but I wouldn't be happy with a refurb if my failed product was relatively new.

 

[Newtons Apple]

And how do you know that? Do you have any personal encounter to share? Or are these your assumptions?

He knows that because that is fact. It is how it has always been.

You come asking a question and then want to be argumentative.

 

[digitalcuriosity]

If I had a product that failed within the return period I would return it and buy a new product. If it failed after the return period I guess I would have to take what Apple gives me, but I wouldn't be happy with a refurb if my failed product was relatively new.

I agree and what i have seen in the past years Apple rushs a iPhone iPads Watchs Macs out for sale to make investers happy with their stock.
Many time i have noticed people finding problems then after around 8+ months Apple gets them built without problems, this is why i never buy the new products i wait and see how they are working for people then i buy one.
This may not work for others who just have to buy Apples newest products but it has worked for me.

 

[nicho]

He knows that because that is fact. It is how it has always been.

@Hansl I was told the very same thing by an Apple Store manager just 48 hours ago. Her words were that, replacements around the world are usually not brand new.

 

[Hansl]

@Hansl I was told the very same thing by an Apple Store manager just 48 hours ago. Her words were that, replacements around the world are usually not brand new.

Well i just came back from the Apple Store and the Senior Manager shared that the retail units and the replacements units goes through the SAME production line. What they do is that say there is for example 10 Units produced, 1 is set aside for the usage of replacement in the event necessary. They go through the same line as the rest. Machines take over the QC phrase for the retail units, and the replacement sets goes through the same process.

 

[nicho]

Well i just came back from the Apple Store and the Senior Manager shared that the retail units and the replacements units goes through the SAME production line. What they do is that say there is for example 10 Units produced, 1 is set aside for the usage of replacement in the event necessary. They go through the same line as the rest. Machines take over the QC phrase for the retail units, and the replacement sets goes through the same process.

I very much doubt this, since if it was true Apple wouldn't need to have different replacement policies mainland China and South Korea because of consumer laws in those countries that mandate that all replacements are new from the factory...

 

[GGJstudios]

Well i just came back from the Apple Store and the Senior Manager shared that the retail units and the replacements units goes through the SAME production line. What they do is that say there is for example 10 Units produced, 1 is set aside for the usage of replacement in the event necessary. They go through the same line as the rest. Machines take over the QC phrase for the retail units, and the replacement sets goes through the same process.

If you think about it, even refurbished units have gone through the same production line at some point, so the manager was technically correct. With Apple having a hard enough time meeting production demands, there's no way they're setting aside 1 in 10 or 1 in 20 or 1 in 100 units to sit on a shelf, waiting to be used as a replacement. When a model is initially introduced, they would naturally use new models as replacements. As time goes by and phones are returned and refurbished, they would naturally use refurbished instead of new units as replacements.

All of this is moot, since new units and refurbished units are essentially the same, except for the packaging. I would always buy refurbished, if they were available.

 

[JPack]

Well i just came back from the Apple Store and the Senior Manager shared that the retail units and the replacements units goes through the SAME production line. What they do is that say there is for example 10 Units produced, 1 is set aside for the usage of replacement in the event necessary. They go through the same line as the rest. Machines take over the QC phrase for the retail units, and the replacement sets goes through the same process.

Of course that isn't true. Even a bit of common sense would tell you it doesn't make any sense.

If the original design requires design or part revisions, then Apple is stuck with a whole bunch of defective replacement units.
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All of this is moot, since new units and refurbished units are essentially the same, except for the packaging. I would always buy refurbished, if they were available.

Refurbished and new units are very different.

Refurbished units have been reworked but the quality will almost certainly be lower than a new unit. For example, a water damaged iPad will have certain board components replaced. Even assuming the soldering job is perfect, the logic board still has deposits from water contaminants that cannot be completely washed away with PCB cleaner. Watch channels like iPad Rehab where they've shown what the inside of refurbished devices can look like.

 

[GGJstudios]

Refurbished and new units are very different.

Refurbished units have been reworked but the quality will almost certainly be lower than a new unit. For example, a water damaged iPad will have certain board components replaced. Even assuming the soldering job is perfect, the logic board still has deposits from water contaminants that cannot be completely washed away with PCB cleaner. Watch channels like iPad Rehab where they've shown what the inside of refurbished devices can look like.

It depends on who does the refurbishment. There are many shops that will "refurbish" an Apple device, but they don't use the same stringent process that Apple uses. Even in the rare cases where an Apple refurbished device has a problem, it's completely covered by the same warranty that covers new Apple devices.

 

[JPack]

It depends on who does the refurbishment. There are many shops that will "refurbish" an Apple device, but they don't use the same stringent process that Apple uses. Even in the rare cases where an Apple refurbished device has a problem, it's completely covered by the same warranty that covers new Apple devices.

These are Apple refurbished devices.

I've taken apart a replacement iPhone 6 (Touch Disease program replacement) and there's clear evidence of a reworked logic board with so-so soldering. Watch the iPad Rehab YouTube channel and she takes apart an Apple replacement iPad that has clearly been repaired after water damage. The logic board is worth over $100, so it's no surprise Apple is salvaging these whenever possible.

Cosmetically, Apple refurbished devices will look excellent but inside is another story.

 

[GGJstudios]

These are Apple refurbished devices.

I've taken apart a replacement iPhone 6 (Touch Disease program replacement) and there's clear evidence of a reworked logic board with so-so soldering. Watch the iPad Rehab YouTube channel and she takes apart an Apple replacement iPad that has clearly been repaired after water damage. The logic board is worth over $100, so it's no surprise Apple is salvaging these whenever possible.

Cosmetically, Apple refurbished devices will look excellent but inside is another story.

A handful of anecdotal stories is hardly representative of the millions of refurbished systems that Apple sells. You can also find sub-standard brand new units, but that doesn't mean most are that way. Judging from the much larger sampling of the hundreds or thousands of posters in this forum who have indicated their positive experiences with refurbished devices over the past 10 years, they are rarely as you describe.

 

[steve62388]

A handful of anecdotal stories is hardly representative of the millions of refurbished systems that Apple sells. You can also find sub-standard brand new units, but that doesn't mean most are that way. Judging from the much larger sampling of the hundreds or thousands of posters in this forum who have indicated their positive experiences with refurbished devices over the past 10 years, they are rarely as you describe.

And how many of those hundreds or thousands stripped down their product to check the workmanship? The only evidence I’m aware of is this video and it clearly shows a problem.

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And how do you know that? Do you have any personal encounter to share? Or are these your assumptions?

Because in the case of phones you can tell from the serial number. It would be safe to assume the same process is used with iPads.

 

[GGJstudios]

And how many of those hundreds or thousands stripped down their product to check the workmanship? The only evidence I’m aware of is this video and it clearly shows a problem.

One example does not establish a pattern.

 

[steve62388]

One example does not establish a pattern.

So your tear down video of a refurb is.... where?

 

[GGJstudios]

So your tear down video of a refurb is.... where?

Me posting a teardown video would carry no more weight than your single example. Out of millions of Apple refurbs sold, do you honestly think that one teardown... or even a few dozen, is indicative of the state of most or all refurbs? The same holds true for a handful of videos showing the opposite. What does matter is the fact that millions have bought refurbs and have not returned them for problems. I don't care if they painted the insides pink. As long as it performs as expected and is covered by warranty for problems, what you may discover by opening one up is irrelevant.

 

[steve62388]

Me posting a teardown video would carry no more weight than your single example. Out of millions of Apple refurbs sold, do you honestly think that one teardown... or even a few dozen, is indicative of the state of most or all refurbs? The same holds true for a handful of videos showing the opposite. What does matter is the fact that millions have bought refurbs and have not returned them for problems. I don't care if they painted the insides pink. As long as it performs as expected and is covered by warranty for problems, what you may discover by opening one up is irrelevant.

So you’re bringing no evidence to the table at all. And it does matter, as pointed out in the video, by executing a sub standard repair in this case Apple left the customer with a device more susceptible to drop damage or further degradation due to water damage (which could easily occur outside the warranty provided).