What Condition Is My Phone In?

Grading Guide

Getting your condition grade right is the most important step when comparing quotes. Overstating your phone's condition leads to a revised (lower) offer after inspection. Being accurate from the start means the price you see is the price you receive.

We use four condition grades that cover the realistic range of phone states. Each grade reflects what the recycler's inspection team will assess when your phone arrives. Recyclers inspect screen condition, back glass or casing, frame, all buttons and ports, and verify that every feature functions correctly. Grading is carried out in good lighting and often under magnification — so it's worth being honest upfront rather than discovering a mismatch after sending.

Condition grades

Excellent
The phone looks virtually new with no or minimal signs of use. No scratches visible to the naked eye, no dents or chips, and all features work perfectly. May have been kept in a case from new.
Good
The phone works perfectly but shows light cosmetic wear. Minor surface scratches may be visible under close inspection or in bright light, but the display looks clean in normal use. No dents, chips, or cracks.
Poor
The phone is fully functional but shows clear signs of use. Visible scratches, scuffs, or minor dents are present without close inspection — but all features, buttons, and the screen work correctly.
Faulty
The phone has a fault affecting its normal use. This includes cracked or smashed screens, broken buttons, Face ID or fingerprint sensor not working, charging port issues, significant water damage, or a battery that won't hold a usable charge.

Tips

1 · Check the screen in good light at an angle
Screen condition is the most heavily weighted factor. Tilt the screen at multiple angles under bright light to reveal fine scratches that may not be obvious in normal use.
2 · Inspect the back and frame too
Glass backs and metal frames scratch and dent easily. Inspect all surfaces carefully — chips, dents, or deep scratches affect your grade even if the screen is perfect.
3 · Test every feature before you grade
Cameras (front and rear), Face ID or fingerprint sensor, speakers, microphone, charging port, and all buttons should be tested. Any fault moves you to the Faulty grade.
4 · Check battery health on iPhone
On iPhone, check battery health at Settings > Battery > Battery Health & Charging. A battery health below 80% may affect your grade with some recyclers. On Samsung, run a battery diagnostic via Settings > Battery and Device Care > Diagnostics.
5 · When in doubt, go lower
It's better to receive a pleasant surprise than a revised-down offer. If you're genuinely unsure between two grades, select the lower one.

Frequently asked questions

What counts as Excellent condition?

Excellent means the phone shows no or minimal signs of use — virtually like new. No scratches visible to the naked eye, no dents or chips, and all features work perfectly.

What's the difference between Good and Poor?

Good means minor cosmetic wear visible only under close inspection in bright light. Poor means clearly visible wear — scratches, scuffs or dents obvious without close inspection — but the phone still works correctly.

What counts as Faulty?

Faulty means the phone has a fault affecting normal use — cracked screen, broken buttons, non-working Face ID or fingerprint sensor, charging port issues, significant water damage, or a battery that won't hold a usable charge.

What happens if the recycler disagrees with my condition grade?

If the recycler grades your phone differently after inspection, they'll make a revised offer. You can accept the revised price or have your phone returned.

Revised offers explained →
Does battery health affect my grade?

Some recyclers factor battery health into their assessment. An iPhone with battery health below 80%, or a Samsung showing abnormal battery performance in diagnostics, may receive a lower offer from some buyers.