Apple store offered me refurbished iPhone 4 for replacement, I declined...

Question

I went to a local Apple store yesterday to see if they have any option for my Death Grip iPhone 4.
After short demonstration about loosing reception, he brought a shrink wrapped black boxed iPhone 4. I asked him if it's a refurbished unit and he said yes, he also mentioned it's a service unit they received from factory. Its serial number was starting with 850 (mine as well)
I declined for exchange since I had a bad experience with 3G refurbished unit from Apple before (wireless dead after 4 months and battery was so bad)
But I'm wondering if it's really a refurbished iPhone 4 since it's only been 3 days from official launch.
Does Apple make extra new units for replacement service for newly launched products? If so, I'll go get it tomorrow.
Any comments?

Answer 1

That's weird they would have refurbished already, but yes they usually do warranty replacements with refurbished product.
According to Apple:
Apple Inc. (“Apple”) warrants this Apple-branded hardware product against defects in materials and workmanship under normal use for a period of ONE (1) YEAR from the date of retail purchase by the original end-user purchaser (“Warranty Period”). If a hardware defect arises and a valid claim is received within the Warranty Period, at its option and to the extent permitted by law, Apple will either (1) repair the hardware defect at no charge, using new or refurbished replacement parts, (2) exchange the product with a product that is new or which has been manufactured from new or serviceable used parts and is at least functionally equivalent to the original product, or (3) refund the purchase price of the product. Apple may request that you replace defective parts with new or refurbished user-installable parts that Apple provides in fulfillment of its warranty obligation. A replacement product or part, including a user-installable part that has been installed in accordance with instructions provided by Apple, assumes the remaining warranty of
the original product or ninety (90) days from the date of replacement or repair, whichever provides longer coverage for you. When a product or part is exchanged, any replacement item becomes your property and the replaced item becomes Apple’s property. Parts provided by Apple in fulfillment of its warranty obligation must be used in products for which warranty service is claimed. When a refund is given, the product for which the refund is provided must be returned to Apple and becomes Apple’s property.