A:Answer The open-box phones are not new, however open-box excellent is apparently pretty close.
When I bought my S9 (in store) it was essentially new.
Physically it was in perfect shape, and judging by the clerks story most likely someone came in to buy the phone but returned it for not being the right color or size.
However she warned they aren't all necessarily going to be the same as these returns usually all have different story's.
That's why they seem to allow you to take a look at everything in the box (phone included) to decide if you are ok with the condition.
In the end I realized too late it was missing the sim card ejection tool, thankfully my carrier had one on hand.
Oh yeah and it's cheaper because they are technically used XD