Refurb iPhone came with a screen Protector installed!!

[Dominat0r]

Well...i was practicing with some cheap screen protectors on trying to it perfect without bubbles or anything.

I was wondering why it seemed like i had a small line of dirt around the home button. As you can see in the pics, it kinda looks like a white line of dust collected itself just around the hole for the home button. Upon further inspection, i noticed that it wasnt a line of dust...it was thick piece of something. Can you guess?

Mind you i JUST removed the plastic that covers the iphone from top to bottem (Face) and even covers the ear piece hole...however, its perforated so you can rip off the top and bottem piece, i know cause i had to do this to uncover the ear piece speaker. Im guessing that they put this on when it comes back for refurb. I kept it on till today when i picked up a DLO Jam jacket from BB and decided to practice with the screen protectors it comes up (came free with case).

So to cut to just a few mins ago....im wondering why i cant get my protector to cling properly...it just didnt look right. Then it hit me...

Theres a protector on there already....so either the person who owned the phone before me put a protector on or ATT did it (doubtful), or maybe Apple (even more doubtful). However its there, and they did a decent job...only 1 speck of dust towards the bottem, just to the right of the home button. Its not lined up 100% properly, but i feel its the cut of it and not installation error. The bottem of the home bottem and everything else lines up perfect.

I feel like the luckiest refurb iPhone owner in the world. Clearly you can see the protector on there. I was wondering why it looked so dull with the other protector i had on there. I guess i know why..

I wish i could tell you guys which one it is, but its pretty dam clear...i mean, HONESTLY i didnt even notice it when i removed the perforated plastic screen. Its really pretty good with finger prints, i mean, there is little to no smudge of finger oils when i run my finger across the screen. I think its a power support Crystal really...its not bumpy like a BSE or Invis-Shield. Its very smooth....and i mean NO air bubbles at all.

SO you never know guys....your refurb might have a screen on it already =) IM COMPLETELY STOAKED i dont have to do this myself ....cause wow im awful ehehe

Pics say a thousand words.

 

[colmaclean]

I guess from your sig that this is a 3G?

Sounds like it must be one of the special ones destined for Area 51...

 

[Dominat0r]

I guess from your sig that this is a 3G?

Ya, took the 49$ deal off ATTwireless.com

Sounds like it must be one of the special ones destined for Area 51...

haha...i feel ever so lucky...im going to have to buy double lottery tickets this week.

 

[army91c]

Guess it came with all that dust up in the space between the screen and bezel too.... either the refurb process is them tossing a returned phone in a box or some one is good with story time.

 

[Dominat0r]

Guess it came with all that dust up in the space between the screen and bezel too.... either the refurb process is them tossing a returned phone in a box or some one is good with story time.

ohh if i put it on there like that, i would take credit. The dust came from my pocket for sure...ive had the phone since tues..so its been used the past few days.

They are certainly fixing returned phones and selling them, of course as refurbs. This is my 3rd refurb phone from ATT and i never had a problem with any of them. The phone did have some small marks on the side, like tiny hairline scratches around the corners. This was certainly someones phones....no doubt.

I was ready to go buy a good one believe it or not...but decided that i should try the ones that came free with the DLO. I watched the video from that Carlos guy and was following what he was doing...i couldnt believe he got it perfect in like 2 mins...

I was even considering doing a BSE, since i had one on my old MP3 player.

 

[chrono1081]

It's probably a Crystal Film screen protector. They are the best screen protector IMO. I've used them on many iPod video's and no one can ever tell they are on there. I've also never needed to replace one. Ever.

They are a harder plastic and very easy to put on flawlessly. They run about $15 to $20.

 

[idunk]

It's probably a Crystal Film screen protector. They are the best screen protector IMO. I've used them on many iPod video's and no one can ever tell they are on there. I've also never needed to replace one. Ever.

They are a harder plastic and very easy to put on flawlessly. They run about $15 to $20.

Yeah i have to agree.
i was going to say that it was either a crystal or anti-glare PS film.

 

[SFStateStudent]

Congrats OP; too bad it wasn't a full InvisibleShield.....lol

 

[Dominat0r]

Congrats OP; too bad it wasn't a full InvisibleShield.....lol

AHAHA...i was thinking the same thing...

might just spend the few dollars and get the back peice from BSE.

 

[tico24]

I'm struggling to see why you think this is a good thing?

Clearly this means that someone returned their phone (possibly due to a defect) and someone just shoved it straight back in the box without the briefest of checks before selling it to you.

Its been through absolutely no QC and you've just paid good money for it.

But if you're fine with buying a refurbish product that hasn't been refurbished at all, then congratulations.

 

[Dominat0r]

I'm struggling to see why you think this is a good thing?

Clearly this means that someone returned their phone (possibly due to a defect) and someone just shoved it straight back in the box without the briefest of checks before selling it to you.

Its been through absolutely no QC and you've just paid good money for it.

But if you're fine with buying a refurbish product that hasn't been refurbished at all, then congratulations.

i dont think it was just thrown into a box..im sure they tested it to make sure it worked...However, its a refurb phone...im sure someone owned it prior and returned it. Not a huge deal to me...cause it works perfectly so far..no issues at all.

I dont mind buying refurbs at all, they are still covered and helps save cash. This is my 3rd refurb from att in a row...had a Blackjack 1 refurb, Blackjack 2 refurb and now the iphone.

 

[oldimac]

Do you still have to sign up for the 2 year stint with ATT for a refurb like you got?

Thanks.

 

[Dominat0r]

Do you still have to sign up for the 2 year stint with ATT for a refurb like you got?

Thanks.

no, dont believe so...just had to change my plan...im still eligible for a full upgrade in November.

I have a family plan, so im not giving it up anytime soon =) i wouldnt mind either way. This is my 3rd refurb phone...never had a problem.

 

[westone75]

no, dont believe so...just had to change my plan...im still eligible for a full upgrade in November.

The only way to get a refurb iPhone from at&t for $49.00 is to sign a new 2 year contract.

2-yr Contract Price $99.00
Refurb Discount - $50.00
Total Due Today $49.00

 

[Dominat0r]

The only way to get a refurb iPhone from at&t for $49.00 is to sign a new 2 year contract.

2-yr Contract Price $99.00
Refurb Discount - $50.00
Total Due Today $49.00

ohh, so i did (bought my phone online)...doesnt matter, i upgraded last year...so im still stuck with another year anyway, and another phone thats upgradable.

Again, makes NO difference...will not be ending my contract for any reason within the next few year at the least.

 

[Knowlege Bomb]

I honestly think it's a pretty poor installation job. The spacing around the home button and ear piece are supposed to be even all the way around. That protector is noticably shifted upward.

Either way, it was free so I can see why you're happy. If it is a Power Support Crystal Film you've got the best there is!

 

[hamish5178]

OP, was the back of the iPhone glossy and flawless, as if it had been replaced (which is supposedly what is supposed to happen)?

 

[Dominat0r]

I honestly think it's a pretty poor installation job. The spacing around the home button and ear piece are supposed to be even all the way around. That protector is noticably shifted upward.

Either way, it was free so I can see why you're happy. If it is a Power Support Crystal Film you've got the best there is!

ya, i really thought about re-doing it, but im HORRIBLE at it. I dont think i would be able to do much better. Also, really worried about getting dusty...

So far so good with my phone, havent had 1 issue really...nothing that wasnt a stupid setting (like push emails to all accounts).

OP, was the back of the iPhone glossy and flawless, as if it had been replaced (which is supposedly what is supposed to happen)?

No one scratch on the back at all.

 

[aprofetto]

I remember someone saying that AT&T does a visible check of the phone and quickly runs through the OS to check that things are operating fine.

Goes to show you how quick of a visible check they do.

 

[soulghost]

i dont think it was just thrown into a box..im sure they tested it to make sure it worked...However, its a refurb phone...im sure someone owned it prior and returned it. Not a huge deal to me...cause it works perfectly so far..no issues at all.

I dont mind buying refurbs at all, they are still covered and helps save cash. This is my 3rd refurb from att in a row...had a Blackjack 1 refurb, Blackjack 2 refurb and now the iphone.

I would remove that protector and check that screen for defects.

 

[Dominat0r]

I remember someone saying that AT&T does a visible check of the phone and quickly runs through the OS to check that things are operating fine.

Goes to show you how quick of a visible check they do.

Honestly, i didnt even know it was there....was putting on another protector on top of it..so im guessing if i didnt know it was there..im sure they overlooked it to.

I dont see why everyone makes a big deal about refurbs. I mean, to me, id rather have something that they have already looked at, fix or repair the problem and returned. I have had NO problems at all with any of my refurb phones. Every single one of them have worked perfectly for years.

You guy can spend all the money you want...ill take my 50$ refurb that works perfectly and call it a day =)

I would remove that protector and check that screen for defects.

Again, doesnt matter...even if there were, refurbs can come with scratches...id rather pay half price for something scratched then full price for something im going to end up scratching. Plus, i dont want to ruin the protector by getting dust or something underneath....while its not on perfectly...there is NO dust or air bubbles.

 

[aprofetto]

Honestly, i didnt even know it was there....was putting on another protector on top of it..so im guessing if i didnt know it was there..im sure they overlooked it to.

I dont see why everyone makes a big deal about refurbs. I mean, to me, id rather have something that they have already looked at, fix or repair the problem and returned. I have had NO problems at all with any of my refurb phones. Every single one of them have worked perfectly for years.

...

AT&T doesn't go through what Apple does to claim something as a refurb.

In terms of iPhones, Apple will fully dissemble the phone and replace all faulty and/or broken parts. I believe the battery and screen as usually always replaced. I'm quoting this from another member here on macrumors.

AT&T does not do this. They simply give the phone a once over and make sure it 'looks' good. Then they make sure the OS is running and will sell it as a refurb.

If this was a refurb from Apple, you'd never see a screen protector left on.

 

[Dominat0r]

AT&T doesn't go through what Apple does to claim something as a refurb.

In terms of iPhones, Apple will fully dissemble the phone and replace all faulty and/or broken parts. I believe the battery and screen as usually always replaced. I'm quoting this from another member here on macrumors.

AT&T does not do this. They simply give the phone a once over and make sure it 'looks' good. Then they make sure the OS is running and will sell it as a refurb.

If this was a refurb from Apple, you'd never see a screen protector left on.

Ya I understand. I do think they wipe the phone clean before hand too. I have 30 days to find something wrong with it. If I notice something by then, I'll return. However if it works, I'll keep it.

 

[UngratefulNinja]

My 3g is also an AT&T refurb (although it was from before when the refurbs were $99) and I couldn't be happier with it. It was in pristine condition and has performed like brand new. I'm a fan of AT&T refurbs now

 

[Dominat0r]

ya but i didnt know ATT cant reservice it, it must be through APPLE...

I guess you learn something new everyday =) and knowledge is power!