i replaced my iPhone 5 last time with a new set from digi... but thats within the 2nd week and i brought the whole box set. The staff took mine and replace it with a fully wrap unopened full set too. I saw my friend one getting refurbished set without the actual box. Just aluminium case. And since then i heard Apple changed quite a lot. not sure if still applies to the new iPhones.. but the latest i experienced is, more than 7 days, telcos set or not.. all go to apple service centre.
last time my power button rosak for my iphone5, they say change a new "phone" with new serial number and everything. Would it be possible that is a refurbish set?