Cosmetic opinions vary
Sample photos are representative, not unit-specific. If a device reads better or worse than its tier in your own light, the written tier definition is the reference both sides work from.
Device grading standards
A grade is a written contract, not a marketing word. Each tier below fixes the cosmetic limits, the battery floor and the functional expectations for every unit in a lot. Two graders score each device independently; when they disagree, the lower grade wins.
| Grade | Cosmetic standard | Battery | Functional standard | Best suited to |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| A+ Like new |
Flawless body, no visible marks under workshop light.
Screen and back glass are scratch-free. Frame has no dents, nicks or scuffs. No previous panel replacement. |
Original battery, health 90% or higher, under 300 charge cycles unless the model reports otherwise. | All modules pass a 42-point diagnostic: cameras, Face ID / fingerprint, speakers, mics, all radios, buttons, charging port, wireless charging. | Retail-ready listings, premium refurbishers, buyers who need shelf-ready units. |
| A Excellent |
Light micro-wear that disappears in a case or with a skin.
Faint hairline marks on the frame or a few micro-scratches on the glass. No cracks, no chips, no deep gouges. |
Battery health 85-89%, or a genuine-spec replacement cell fitted by our bench. | Full 42-point diagnostic pass. Screen is original unless a genuine-grade assembly is noted on the lot label. | Volume refurbishers and carrier resellers who want margin without visible defects. |
| B Good |
Honest daily-use wear: edge scuffs, possible small corner marks.
Visible scuffs on the frame, light scratches on the glass. No cracks and no missing glass. Reads clean once cased. |
Battery health 80-84%, or a new third-party cell with a 6-month bench warranty. | Full diagnostic pass. Any replaced part is itemised on the lot label. No functional failures. | Repair shops, parts-and-repair resellers, high-volume trade-in programmes. |
| C Fair |
Heavy cosmetic wear, sold for parts-repair or budget resale.
Deep scratches, dents or faded finish. Glass is intact and the touch layer works; housing may show prior repair. |
Battery health below 80% or a cell that must be replaced before resale. | Device powers on and boots to the home screen. One or more non-critical faults may be present; each fault is listed line by line on the lot label. | Repair benches, parts harvesters, budget resellers who grade on arrival. |
Inspection process
How every unit is checked
Six steps between intake and a sealed lot, in this order, every time.
-
1. Intake and identity check
Every unit is photographed and its IMEI / serial is captured against the manifest. Blacklisted, financed or reported-stolen IMEIs are pulled from the lot before anything else happens.
-
2. Reactivation lock and data wipe
We confirm iCloud / Google / Samsung account locks are cleared, then run a certified multi-pass wipe. Units that cannot be released are rejected, not downgraded.
-
3. Hardware diagnostic
A 42-point bench run covers display and touch, cameras, Face ID / fingerprint, both speakers, all three mics, Wi-Fi, cellular, Bluetooth, GPS, buttons, vibration and both charging paths.
-
4. Battery and health report
Battery health, cycle count and peak capacity are logged per unit. Anything under the tier threshold is either re-celled or moved down a grade.
-
5. Cosmetic grading
Two graders score the frame and the glass independently. When they disagree, the lower grade wins - the customer never gets a surprise.
-
6. Final QC and lot labelling
Every lot leaves with its SKU, grade, count and a line-by-line list of any replaced parts or known faults, packed in shock-safe trays.
Practical notes
What the grade does not cover
Grades never upgrade themselves
A device that fails a functional check does not become a B on the way out. It is either repaired and re-tested, moved to a lower tier with the fault listed, or pulled from the lot.
Replaced parts are disclosed
Every non-original part, panel or battery is listed line by line on the lot label so your own bench knows what to expect before opening the tray.
Claims run off the lot label
Report a mismatch within the claim window with the lot label and serial. Verified misses are credited or replaced on the next shipment.