My iPhone 4s started to develop some issues so I filed an insurance claim with AT&T (Asurion). The replacement unit arrived in Fedex the next day but upon opening and turning on the new phone, I noticed that it looks and feels different from my original iPhone 4s.
- The screen is not as bright as the original phone. About 75% brightness of the original.
- The finish and texture of the metal parts on the side of the phone including the buttons are very different. The replacement unit had a brushed metal finish and the edges are sort of rounded not beveled.
- The surface of the touch screen feels not as smooth as the original phone's screen. It has a snakeskin feel.
After reporting these discrepancies to AT&T, they sent me another replacement unit. However, the second replacement unit was identical to the first one (except that the screen was a bit brighter). I'm waiting for the third replacement unit to arrive.
Overall, the replacemen units look and feel not as refined as the original phone.
Does anyone know if there are variations in the 4s phones? AT&T told me these phones are "refurbished" phones but I feel AT&T/Asurion are actually sending out cheaper OEM phones not the genuine products.
The top one is the replacement unit.
