Why does my iPhone say Manufactured by Asurion?
Since they are an insurance company, Asurion acquires insurance for a variety of electronics and smartphones within the US, so it is likely they will get a variety of iOS and Android devices through insurance claims. The reason behind the ‘Manufactured by Asurion’ label on iPhones and other devices is because when they acquire them, they will use the components as spare parts to repair or build additional devices, so they will attach their name to the device as part of advertising.
When getting an unexpected case of phone replacements or repairs, you find that getting the right insurance policy makes things more affordable by allowing you to pay a fraction of the market price by paying a deductible fee. Asurion does the same thing for multiple network providers, and you may notice that they leave their branding on a phone after they approve your claim and send a device to you.
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Classes of refurbished iPhones
Regardless of whether you use Apple Care stores to purchase a refurbished iPhone or you opt to go the route of making a claim at Asurion and they send you a refurbished device, there are some classifications you can keep in mind and will help you know the type of device you have and its capabilities.
These are shown by letters that represent the source of the device itself. There are four categories:
- P – personalized/engraved unit. These are the personalized or branded iPhones that have special engravings.
- M – retail unit. These are the newest iPhones, and will be sold to you at the original market price. They also do not carry the ‘Manufactured by Asurion’ label.
- N – replacement unit. These are sold as replacement devices when you trade in your malfunctioning iPhone.
- F – refurbished unit. These are iPhones that are refurbished by carriers or by Apple services, and they will tend to have the ‘Manufactured by Asurion’ label.
Do you purchase refurbished iPhones directly from Asurion?
While Asurion covers all types of mishaps on your device and events such as loss and theft, you cannot get a refurbished iPhone from Asurion directly – instead, you will need to purchase it from your phone carrier. Keep in mind that the cost for purchasing a refurbished iPhone from Asurion is not standard, as the price depends on your carrier.
Summary of the types of refurbished iPhones you will find on the market
Code |
What it means |
P – personalized/engraved unit |
These are the personalized or branded iPhones that have special engravings. |
M – retail unit |
These are the newest iPhones, and will be sold to you at the original market price. They also do not carry the ‘Manufactured by Asurion’ label. |
N – replacement unit |
These are sold as replacement devices when you trade in your malfunctioning iPhone. |
F – refurbished unit |
These are iPhones that are refurbished by carriers or by Apple services, and they will tend to have the ‘Manufactured by Asurion’ label. |
Conclusion
Having a refurbished iPhone is not necessarily a cause of worry, even if you are dealing with an iPhone that has the Asurion label. It is important to note though that third-party vendors will not necessarily give an additional 1-year warranty on the device or change out the battery in the same way that Apple Care does, so it always helps to be informed about it and what to look for when acquiring a refurbished device.
FAQs
Will I get a new or refurbished iPhone from Asurion?
This depends on what Asurion decides after they process and approve your claim, and they will inform you on whether they choose to replace the device entirely or repair it, as well as the time it will take to take to send it to you.
What does it mean when I see the ‘Remanufactured by Asurion’ label on my iPhone?
It means that Asurion has taken certain parts from iPhones and other similar devices and done repairs on the phone they will send to you.
