Open Settings → General → About → Model Number. Tap the number to switch formats. The first letter determines the type:
Refurbished Guide
Refurbished iPhone
How to tell official refurbished from unofficial and what to look for.|
01 - what is refurbished
What is refurbished
Two completely different types of restored devices
Apple Certified Refurbishedofficial
A device restored by Apple itself at the factory. Goes through a full testing cycle, just like a new device.
- New battery (100% capacity)
- New external housing (no signs of use)
- Full 1-year warranty + option to buy AppleCare+
- New box with accessory kit
- New serial number
Sold through Apple Refurbished Store at a 15–20% discount from the new price.
Unofficially refurbishedunofficial
A device restored by third-party services (often in China). Assembled from used and new parts of varying quality:
- Display may be non-genuine (copy, OEM, taken from another device)
- Battery - non-genuine or used
- Housing - replaced with new (often Chinese analog)
- No Apple warranty
- May be assembled from parts of different devices
Sold on marketplaces as "new" or "refurbished" at an attractive price.
Warranty / AppleCare replacementreplacement
A device issued by Apple as a replacement for a defective one under warranty or AppleCare+. Model prefix is N. This is not refurbished in the classic sense: the device undergoes full Apple testing, receives a new serial number, and the remaining warranty from the original device.
02 - model prefix
Model Prefix
The first letter of the model number tells the device's history
M
New retail device
Standard new device purchased in a retail store or online. Example: MQ9E3LL/A
F
Apple Certified Refurbished
Officially refurbished by Apple. New battery, housing, 1-year warranty. Example: FQ9E3LL/A
N
Warranty / AppleCare replacement
Replacement device issued by Apple at a service center. Example: NQ9E3LL/A
P
Personalized
Engraved device (iPad, AirPods, Apple Pencil). Example: PQ9E3LL/A
03 - comparison
Type Comparison
New, official refurbished, and unofficial - what's the difference
| Parameter | New (M) | Refurb Apple (F) | Unofficial |
|---|---|---|---|
| Battery | New 100% | New 100% | Unknown |
| Housing | New | New | Replaced (analog) |
| Display | Original | Original | Often a copy |
| Apple Warranty | 1 year | 1 year | None |
| AppleCare+ | Can purchase | Can purchase | No |
| True Tone | Works | Works | Often no |
| Face ID / Touch ID | Works | Works | May not work |
| Parts in settings | All original | All original | "Unknown Part" |
| Price (vs new) | 100% | 80–85% | 50–70% |
04 - how to check
How to Check
Methods to determine if a device is refurbished
01
Model Prefix
Settings → General → About → Model Number. Tap the number to switch formats. F = official refurbished, M = new, N = warranty replacement.
02
Via iSpy Bot
Send the serial number or IMEI to @ispyware_bot. The report includes the model number with prefix. Also available via >> Check on Website.
03
Parts and Service (iPhone 15+)
Settings → General → About → Parts and Service. Shows the originality of each component: display, battery, camera. If it says "Unknown Part", the component was replaced with a non-genuine one.
04
GSX Report
A GSX will show: original device description, full repair history, component replacements, original configuration (color, storage). If the current appearance doesn't match GSX data, the device was reassembled.
05
True Tone Test
Settings → Display & Brightness → True Tone. If the toggle is missing, the display was replaced with a non-genuine one. On iPhone 15+, True Tone can be restored during calibration at an authorized service, but on earlier models it cannot.
05 - risks
Risks & Recommendations
What to watch for when buying a refurbished device
Apple Certified Refurbished (F) - safe purchase. Quality is identical to a new device. The only difference is a 15–20% discount and a white box instead of standard. Warranty, AppleCare+, all features - same as new.
Unofficial refurbished - main risks:
- Display copy - worse color accuracy, no True Tone, degrades faster, may not work properly with Face ID
- Analog battery - unstable performance, fast degradation, swelling risk
- Water resistance compromised - factory sealing is lost when the housing is opened
- Face ID / Touch ID - biometrics may not work if the front camera or Home button was replaced
- "Parts and Service" (iPhone 15+) - will show non-genuine components, reducing resale value
How to protect yourself:
- Check the Model Prefix - it's the first and quickest indicator
- Order a GSX - it shows the real device history
- Check True Tone and the "Parts and Service" section
- Compare color and storage with report data
- If the price is too attractive, the device is likely unofficially refurbished
faq
Frequently Asked Questions
How to tell a refurbished iPhone from a new one?
Check the model number in settings. F = official Apple refurbished, M = new, N = warranty replacement. Also check True Tone and "Parts and Service" section (iPhone 15+).
Is it safe to buy refurbished?
Apple Certified Refurbished (F) - yes, safe: new battery, housing, 1-year warranty. Unofficial - risky: unknown part quality, no warranty, water resistance compromised.
Does refurbished iPhone have warranty?
Apple Certified Refurbished - 1 year warranty + can buy AppleCare+. Unofficial - no Apple warranty, only seller warranty (if any).
Why is unofficial refurbished cheaper?
Cheap analog components are used (display, battery), often parts from different devices. No Apple testing or certification costs. Assembly in small workshops, not a factory.
Can True Tone be restored after display replacement?
On iPhone 15+ - yes, with calibration at an authorized Apple service. On earlier models - no, True Tone is tied to the original display. Missing True Tone is a sure sign of screen replacement.
Check Device
Find out if the device is new or refurbished
$ ispy --model FQ9E3LL/A
→ Type: Apple Certified Refurbished | Prefix: F ✓