iPhone 15 Pro iPhone 15 Pro Replacement Device Model Number Starting with “M”?

[ekucukoglu]

I’ve got my express replacement today. Its model number starts with “M”, not an “N” which is widely common and stands for a refurbished / remanufactured device.

This is not a retail product but “M” model number means it is brand new. So what does it mean? And I think it is used before because battery was first used in September with one charging cycle.

I think this is a returned product but is it normal for Apple to ship it with this model number? Also, on the box, it says that “It is assembled in China”.

So… What the heck?

Note: I don’t care if this is a new, replacement or returned device because it looks like brand new. I just wonder, what’s going on here?

 

[jntdroid]

My guess is also that it's an open box return that was put into the replacement cycle. The phone is newer so they probably don't have many "N" models yet - or at least not as many as they will a year from now.

 

[ekucukoglu]

My guess is also that it's an open box return that was put into the replacement cycle. The phone is newer so they probably don't have many "N" models yet - or at least not as many as they will a year from now.

This is one of the most logical explanation. Or this is a device which is produced with the retail units and have another detailed quality check. I am not sure.

 

[300TakeoutCoffeesLater]

I've been seeing some weirdness with my serial number too. Just purchased a 15 Pro for me and the missus from the Apple Store a couple of days ago. My 10-digit serial number starts with MK... while hers starts with F5... Doesn't that mean that hers is a refurbished model? It's not the worst thing in the world but it's not great.

 

[eyoungren]

Didn't Apple start obfuscating serials at some point?

 

[jntdroid]

I've been seeing some weirdness with my serial number too. Just purchased a 15 Pro for me and the missus from the Apple Store a couple of days ago. My 10-digit serial number starts with MK... while hers starts with F5... Doesn't that mean that hers is a refurbished model? It's not the worst thing in the world but it's not great.

That's the official serial number. The OP is actually referring to the part number.

Edit: Actually they're both next to "model number" in the phone's settings. If you tap it, it switches back and forth between the model number and part number.

 

[ekucukoglu]

I've been seeing some weirdness with my serial number too. Just purchased a 15 Pro for me and the missus from the Apple Store a couple of days ago. My 10-digit serial number starts with MK... while hers starts with F5... Doesn't that mean that hers is a refurbished model? It's not the worst thing in the world but it's not great.

Model number shows if the phone is new/refurb/remanufactured etc., not the serial number.

 

[300TakeoutCoffeesLater]

I'm starting 2024 feeling incredibly dense but my model number starts with A?

(Photo taken from the web)

EDIT: Nevermind I just saw it. The model number is MTV63QN/A in that pic, and model number, not serial number, is indeed what tells us if a model is new/refurbed/replaced etc. Apologies for all this. Hope you'll have a good 2024!

 

[ekucukoglu]

Go to Settings > General > About > Model Number

You can see your phone's model number there.

I'm starting 2024 feeling incredibly dense but my model number starts with A?

(Photo taken from the web)

EDIT: Nevermind I just saw it. The model number is MTV63QN/A in that pic, and model number, not serial number, is indeed what tells us if a model is new/refurbed/replaced etc. Apologies for all this. Hope you'll have a good 2024!

 

[Sheepish-Lord]

Didn't Apple start obfuscating serials at some point?

Yes they did and I’m glad because it was hurting trade in values if you received a replacement during your ownership.

Apple Planning Switch to Randomized Serial Numbers for Future Products Starting in 'Early 2021'

Apple will soon be making a significant change to its serial number format for future products that will see some key information stripped out. In...

www.macrumors.com

 

[ChoiMinji]

Also, on the box, it says that “It is assembled in China”.

Of course, is where the iPhones are assembled.

 

[ekucukoglu]

Of course, is where the iPhones are assembled.

Yes, you are right. I thought maybe that is a sign of a brand new one. But I think it is irrelevant.