Refurbished Phone Grades Explained: As New, Excellent, Very Good & Good
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Refurbished Phone Grades Explained: As New, Excellent, Very Good & Good
If you've browsed refurbished phones, you've seen the grades: As New, Excellent, Very Good, Good. But what do they actually mean? And which one should you choose?
Here's the honest breakdown — no marketing fluff.
Why Grades Matter
Every refurbished phone has a history. It might've been a display unit, a trade-in, or a device returned within the cooling-off period. The grade tells you what kind of life it's lived.
Most Australian refurbished sellers (including us at Mayfield Gadgets) use this four-tier system:
Grade A — As New
What it means: This phone looks like it just came out of the box. Zero visible marks on the screen or body. No scratches, no scuffs, no dents.
What to expect:
- Pristine screen — no scratches at all
- Immaculate body — looks brand new
- Battery health: 95–100%
- May come with original accessories
- The closest thing to buying new
Best for: Gift-givers, perfectionists, or anyone who wants the "new phone feeling" without the price tag.
Price premium: Highest among refurbished grades. Still 20–30% less than new.
Grade B+ — Excellent
What it means: Near-perfect. You might find a couple of micro-scratches on the screen if you hold it under direct sunlight at an angle — but in normal use, it looks flawless. The body might have one or two tiny marks.
What to expect:
- Screen: 1–2 micro-scratches (invisible with screen on)
- Body: minimal signs of use
- Battery health: 90–100%
- Fully functional, fully tested
Best for: Most people. This is our most popular grade — you save extra money for something you genuinely won't notice.
Price premium: Moderate savings vs. As New.
Grade B — Very Good
What it means: This phone has been used, but well cared for. You'll see light scratches on the screen (not visible when it's on) and minor scuffs on the frame or back. Everything works perfectly.
What to expect:
- Screen: light scratches (invisible when screen is on)
- Body: minor scuffs, especially on the frame edges
- Battery health: 85–95%
- Mechanically perfect — every function tested
Best for: Practical buyers. If you're putting it in a case anyway (which you should), the body scuffs don't matter at all.
Price premium: Significant savings. You're paying for function, not cosmetics.
Grade C — Good
What it means: Visible signs of use. The screen has scratches you can feel if you run a fingernail over them (but they don't affect the display when it's on). The body has scuffs, scratches, or light dents. It's not pretty — but it works exactly the same as an As New phone.
What to expect:
- Screen: visible scratches
- Body: noticeable wear — scuffs, scratches, maybe a small dent
- Battery health: 80–90%
- Fully functional
- The most affordable option
Best for: Budget-conscious buyers, kids' phones, work phones, or anyone who genuinely doesn't care about cosmetics.
Price premium: Cheapest grade. Maximum savings — sometimes 50%+ off new retail.
Side-by-Side Comparison
| As New | Excellent | Very Good | Good | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Screen | Flawless | Micro-scratches (invisible) | Light scratches | Visible scratches |
| Body | Pristine | 1–2 tiny marks | Minor scuffs | Noticeable wear |
| Battery | 95–100% | 90–100% | 85–95% | 80–90% |
| Best for | Gift / perfectionists | Most buyers | Practical users | Budget maximisers |
| Price vs. New | 20–30% less | 30–40% less | 40–50% less | 50%+ less |
Does the Grade Affect Performance?
No. An iPhone 12 in Good condition runs apps, takes photos, and connects to 5G exactly the same as one in As New condition. The grade is purely cosmetic.
The one thing to check: battery health. If you're buying Good grade, make sure the seller guarantees a minimum battery percentage. At Mayfield Gadgets, we replace any battery below 80% health — regardless of grade.
Which Grade Should You Choose?
If you're gifting it: As New or Excellent. The recipient will think it's brand new.
If it's for yourself, and you use a case: Very Good. The case hides 90% of the cosmetic wear, and you save a bundle.
If it's for a teenager: Good. Let's be honest — it'll have a cracked screen within 6 months anyway. Save the money for the eventual repair.
If you're on a tight budget: Good. The phone works identically. The scratches are character.
Our Testing Process (Every Grade)
Every phone we sell goes through the same 72-point inspection, regardless of grade:
- Screen and touch response
- All buttons (power, volume, mute switch)
- Cameras (front and rear, all lenses)
- Speakers and microphones
- Charging port and wireless charging
- Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, GPS, 5G/4G connectivity
- Face ID / Touch ID
- Battery health and charge cycles
- iCloud / factory reset confirmation
- Water resistance seal check
If it doesn't pass every test, we don't sell it.
If you're repairing phones yourself or running a refurbishing operation, RepairRange provides testing workflows and grading management tools designed for repair shops and refurbishers.
Still not sure which grade to choose? Contact us — we'll help you decide. Or browse all refurbished phones →
Wondering if refurbished is even worth it? Read our complete guide to refurbished phone savings →
On a tight budget? Check out the best refurbished phones under $500 →
All phones include a 12-month warranty and 30-day returns. Free shipping Australia-wide. Serviced by Mayfield Phone Repair in Newcastle.