A T-Mobile subscriber who purchased a brand-new Galaxy S24 FE received a faulty device and was then given a used, refurbished replacement, sparking frustration in the community.
Typically, when carriers replace a smartphone under warranty, they provide a refurbished unit. This is generally acceptable, as long as the replacement is in good working order. However, a T-Mobile customer recently experienced a significant issue after purchasing a new Galaxy S24 FE. The phone arrived dead, and after requesting a replacement, the customer received a clearly used, refurbished model.
Used Phone Instead of a New Replacement
The replacement phone arrived five days later in plain white packaging instead of the original Samsung box. Upon inspection, the customer noticed dirt in the speakers and charging port, suggesting the device had been used previously. Diagnostic tests revealed that the battery had already accumulated 9,000 hours of use time.
The customer should have been given a new device instead of a replacement. Many believe T-Mobile should have treated the dead phone as a return rather than a warranty replacement, which would have allowed the customer to receive a brand-new device.
Another user advised the T-Mobile subscriber to contact T-Mobile's T-Force customer service. While the full details and resolution of the situation remain unclear, the incident highlights a significant issue with T-Mobile's handling of defective devices. We will provide updates as more information becomes available.
