Apple iPod Nano Recall Participants May End Up With A Much Newer Model In Return

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Apple announced a recall on the first-generation iPod nano back in the middle of November. More specifically, the recall was announced on November 12th and the reason behind the recall was due to battery issues. And at the time, Apple confirmed to numerous sources that the recalled models would be replaced with another first-generation iPod nano.

That being said, it looks like things may have changed up a little bit. But first, a bit about the recall. First, and speaking as a participant — the process is moving rather slowly. I saw the recall news on the 12th and filled out my request on the 13th of November. From that point, my claim was in and I was waiting on a shipping box to arrive from Apple. That box arrived, but not until the middle of December. Yup, I waited a month for the box.

Needless to say, my iPod nano has been packed and shipped to Apple. At present, my repair status is still sitting in the “diagnosis pending” phase, although I already know the outcome — a repaired model. Except, it now looks like Apple is not sending out first-generation models.

According to some recently surfaced reports, Apple appears to be sending out sixth-generation models instead. One report coming from the MacRumors forums states that;

Just received our replacement today – Fedex truck pulled up late in the evening. Inside was our replacement for our 1st gen ipod nano that was sent into Apple 1 month ago.

It’s a 6th generation ipod nano, serial number shows that warranty has expired. Not sure if that means that it’s a refurbished model or if it’s a brand new model and they’ve deactivated the warranty. It’s silver.

Given that, it looks like I have roughly a few more weeks to wait before my iPod returns. Personally it would be nice to get a newer model, but either way — it will be nice to not have to worry about any battery issues. Or more to the point — it will be nice to have an iPod with a fresh battery.

As to the delays in the recall process and the arrival of the sixth-generation models — at this point nothing confirming either way from Apple, however speculation suggests that Apple was running low on first-generation inventory and is shipping the newer models to speed up the process.