In the past, Amazon placed an "R" on the label on the box of refurbished Kindle e-Ink devices. I don't know if they do that on Fires or not. Chances are good that if you exchange a Kindle e-Ink or Fire this long after they were introduced that you will get a refurbished unit. But buying new from Amazon is going to get you a brand new unit. Buying from 3rd parties, especially on eBay, and there is not much telling what you will get.