Apple Learns to Inspect iPhones in Sealed Boxes
Apple has begun deploying new equipment in its stores that allows inspecting the contents of iPhone boxes without opening the packaging.
The devices arrived in stores in early October, and the company is now gradually putting them into operation. The reason was cases of fraud during smartphone returns: iPhones were removed from boxes or individual components of the devices were replaced with weights, after which the packaging was resealed and the product returned to the store.
Previously, employees had to open even outwardly undamaged boxes, after which returned devices were sent for additional processing. Now, the new equipment allows verifying the presence of the smartphone and its components without compromising the integrity of the packaging. If the inspection reveals no violations, the product can be put back on sale.
According to journalist Mark Gurman, the new devices use technologies similar to the Presto system, which allows updating iOS on iPhones while still in sealed boxes.
