My iPhone died, I'm supposed to receive a new one, but is it new one a refurbished iPhone?

Question

On Saturday, my iPhone died.
I reached out to Apple suport page and this comunity trying to figure out what happend and what I could do. I also posted a question that you can reed here: 
https://discussions.apple.com/thread/3468919.
Today, I took the iPhone to the carrier, since it was bought in a store of a carrier an not an Apple Store (there isn't an Apple Store in my country). As I supected, the phone was dead, the technician did all the procedures and came to the same conclusion. I was informed that the phone would be sent to Spain to be replaced probably for a new one, since it is still under the warranty.
So far so good, my iPhone is in perfect conditions, with no scratches, nothing of that sort... I was informed that this procedure would take at least 2 to 3 weeks to get the replacement, if in fact the phone is dead... When I asked if I could be informed of what originated that situation, some kind of report or explanation, I was told that the information is not transmited to the client. The thing that upset me was, when I asked the employee if I was in fact getting a new phone, he told me that the phone is presented as new but that it is in fact a refurbished iPhone.
I'm really upset, I'm trying to contact Apple directly to sort this issue, it seems surreal that I bought a new phone, seven months latter a problem occurs and it needs to be replaced only to be replaced by a "fake" new iPhone. Is this for real? Is this what Apple does?
I need some sort of clarification, I've always been a loyal and satisfied client, but this shook my confidence in Apple.
I just need a clarification. I'm really hopping this is was a big misunderstanding and a new iPhone is a NEW iPhone.
Thank You

Answer 1

gdgmacguy, Thank you for your reply.
My questions is, wouldn't it be more plausible to fix my phone? Instead, they are giving me a supposed New phone instead of fixing mine. It's not the same, as I've read in other post, of costumer going to the Apple Store and having their phone replaced on the spot. Mine was sent to Spain, for, at least, 2 to 3 weeks (maybe more) just to get a refurbished phone, calling it a new phone, when it's not.
When my computer had a problem, the motherboard was replaced for a new one, they didn't replaced my computer for a refurbished one. They fixed the problem.
The notion that I'm getting a Phone that had problems already, that problably not all the parts were substituted (specially the battery), instead of fixing my own, remember, I wont have my phone for, at least, 2 to 3 weeks. Is more than enough time to fix my phone.
I think this is absurd, you never know what sort of problems the "New" not new phone already has...