Genius Bars Replacing Faulty White iPhone 4 Models With Refurbished iPhone 4Ss

[Maura]

9to5 Mac reports today that Apple Store Genius Bars in certain areas have been told by Apple to replace white iPhone 4 handsets that have been returned by customers with white iPhone 4S handsets. This is due to the fact that, according to multiple sources that 9to5 Mac has contacted, the stock of white iPhone 4 16GB handsets is “heavily constrained”. Apparently those stores that have a low stock of white iPhone 4 16GB devices have been instructed by Apple to give the customer that is seeking replacement of a faulty handset a free upgrade with a white iPhone 4S. According to 9to5 Mac, the replacement iPhone 4S models will all be refurbished, and apparently this works out cheaper for Apple than if it were to replace the faulty phones with non-refurbished iPhone 4 models. The report says that not all Apple retail stores are affected, and even for those relevant stores, the upgrade may not be applicable to all customers. So far only stores in the US and Canada are involved, with no mention of other countries.

Source: Apple Store Genius Bars told to replace select white iPhone 4 models with 4S due to constraints | 9to5Mac | Apple Intelligence