By Steve Dent, Oct. 26, 2026, 9:15 a.m. EST – Sam Rutherford for Engadget
Apple is preparing to run diagnostics on iPhones that are returned still in their original packaging, according to Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman. The company plans to use its existing “Presto” iOS upgrade stations, which already allow software updates without opening a box, to scan sealed devices and verify that they function properly.
At present, retail staff must break the seal, inspect the phone, and then either refund the buyer or send the unit back to a warehouse for repackaging. This process is costly and creates an opportunity for thieves to return stolen phones or parts in resealed boxes. By keeping the packaging intact, Apple hopes to cut down on waste, speed up refunds and return functional phones to inventory more efficiently.
Gurman’s sources say the Presto machines will be repurposed for this new task, allowing employees to confirm a phone’s condition without ever handling it directly. If the diagnostics are positive, the customer receives a refund and the phone can be restocked quickly.
The development comes just days before Apple’s “Pro and Tell” event on Wednesday, Oct. 28. Rumors suggest the company will unveil its first touchscreen MacBook Pro, an OLED iPad mini and possibly an iMac powered by an M6 chip.