You have probably noticed the model identifier, something like MQAC2ZP/A in the About section in the Settings app while checking the version number of the iOS software update installed on your device, but probably might not have thought about what it meant.
The first letter of the model identifier can tell you if your iPhone is new, a replacement, refurbished, or personalized device.
How to Identify if iPhone is Refurbished, Replacement, Personalized, or New
Step 1: Launch the Settings app
Step 2: Navigate to General > About
Step 3: Scroll down and look for the Model. It should be something like MQAC2ZP/A.
Step 4: The first letter of the model will tell you if the iPhone is new, a replacement, refurbished, or personalized device.
M – it means your iPhone is a new device, which was purchased from Apple Store Online or Apple Retail Store.
F – it means your iPhone is a refurbished device.
N – it means your iPhone is a replacement device, which means that it was replaced by Apple or Apple Authorized Service Center due to a problem. Replacement iPhones are usually refurbished devices as well.
P – it means your iPhone is a personalized device, which means that the device has a personalized engraving.
So in my case, as you can see in the screenshot above, my iPhone X is a new device as the first letter of the model identifier is M, which is correct as I had purchased it from the Apple Store. If the first letter of the model identifier of your iPhone is different and hasn’t been mentioned above then please let me know in the comments.
This tip can come in handy if you want to buy a used iPhone and want to know if it is refurbished, replacement, personalized or brand new. If it is refurbished, which means you could get it cheaper as the original owner would have paid a lower price for it. You probably also might not want to buy a device which comes with a personal engraving on the device, unless you get a good deal for it.
In the case of iPhone X, if you tap on the model identifier, you can also find out the model to find out if your iPhone X the faster Qualcomm modem or Intel modem.
Did you know that you could find out if your iPhone is new, refurbished, a replacement or personalized? Let me know what is the status of your iPhone in the comments below.
