What Do the Condition Grades Actually Mean?

Second-hand condition grades sound straightforward — and then you start cross-referencing them between sellers and they stop making any sense at all. One company's "Pristine" is another's "Excellent" is another's "Grade A". Here's exactly what each grade means in our catalogue, what it'll look like when it lands on your doormat, and which one you should actually pick.

Every condition grade — Like New, Pristine, Very Good and Good — ships with the same 12-month UK warranty, certified 85%+ battery health, free UK delivery, and the same 45-day returns window. The grade only describes cosmetic appearance.

The 30-second answer

Grade by grade

Like New

Indistinguishable from a brand-new phone at any viewing distance, under any lighting. Genuinely zero visible marks on screen, frame or back. The battery is typically 95%+ and often the original. Comes in our standard recyclable packaging — not the original Apple or Samsung box, which is not included by default.

Pricing: typically the most expensive second-hand tier, usually within £40–£60 of new RRP on current models. Buy if you specifically want the new-phone unboxing feeling without paying the new-phone price.

Pristine

Visually flawless at arm's length. Under direct light, brought close to your face, you might spot the faintest mark on the back glass or a hairline scratch on the aluminium edge. Screen is mark-free in regular use. Battery is typically 90%+, sometimes the original and sometimes a verified replacement.

Pricing: roughly 10–15% below Like New on most models. Our most popular grade. The right choice if you want a phone that looks new but don't want to pay the Like New premium.

Very Good

Minor cosmetic wear consistent with previous careful use. Faint marks visible on the frame when held at an angle. Faint screen marks visible only when the screen is off and tilted under direct light — invisible in normal use. Battery is certified at 85% or higher; many ship with verified replacement cells.

Pricing: typically £30–£70 below Pristine on the same model. Our best-value tier and the one we'd recommend to most buyers — once you put a case on it, you genuinely cannot tell it apart from Pristine.

Good

Visible signs of previous use. Marks on the frame and back, possibly a small scratch on the screen visible when off, but nothing that affects functionality. No cracks, no dents, no broken glass. Battery is certified at 85% or higher; replacement cell is more common on this grade.

Pricing: typically the cheapest second-hand tier, often £40–£100 below Pristine. The right choice if your budget is tight, if the phone is going straight into a case, or if you're buying for a child or as a backup.

Poor / Salvage (not stocked by default)

Heavily worn cosmetics — possibly small dents, deep scratches, or visible screen marks even with the screen on. Functional, but visually rough. Comes with a reduced 3-month warranty. We do not stock this grade by default; we offer it only on request for buyers who specifically want maximum savings and don't care how the phone looks.

All grades side by side

What the grade does NOT affect

This bit matters: the cosmetic grade is purely about appearance. Every second-hand phone we sell — Like New through Good — is functionally identical. Specifically:

• Battery health. All grades certified at 85%+ minimum.
• Warranty cover. All four standard grades get the full 12 months.
• Returns window. 45 days regardless of grade.
• Software. Wiped, latest signed firmware, fully unlocked on every UK network.
• Box contents. USB-C cable included on every grade. Original OEM packaging not included by default on any grade.
• Functional spec. Identical chip, screen, cameras, network capabilities.

How we actually grade

Cosmetic grading is done in a controlled, evenly-lit booth — never on the workshop floor under variable overhead lights. Two technicians independently grade every device. If they disagree, the device drops to the lower grade. We'd rather over-grade and delight you than under-grade and disappoint.

1. Device is cleaned thoroughly with isopropyl alcohol and microfibre.
2. Screen is inspected for scratches, dents and chips at 0°, 30° and 60° tilt under fixed lighting.
3. Frame is inspected on all four edges and corners for marks, dents, paint loss.
4. Back glass / panel is inspected at 30° tilt for marks and chips.
5. Camera lenses inspected for scratches, hazing and bezel marks.
6. Two technicians grade independently and reconcile.
7. Final grade is recorded against the IMEI and printed on the listing.

We've covered the wider testing process in our 90-point quality check writeup — cosmetic grading is just one of seven stages.

How to pick the right grade for you

Pick Like New if…

• You'll never put it in a case
• You want the new-phone experience without the new-phone price
• You're gifting it

Pick Pristine if…

• You want a phone that looks new at arm's length
• You'll resell in 12–18 months and want the best resale value
• You'd rather pay slightly more than ever look at a mark on your phone

Pick Very Good if…

• You want the best value-for-money
• You're going to put it in a case anyway
• You'd rather put the savings towards a 24-month warranty extension or AppleCare-style cover

Pick Good if…

• Budget is the primary constraint
• You're buying for a child or as a backup phone
• You want a working phone for travel or an emergency device for the glove box

Your rights as a UK buyer

Regardless of grade, buying online from any UK trader gives you the full protection of the Consumer Rights Act 2015 and the Consumer Contracts Regulations:

• 14 days minimum to cancel your order — we voluntarily extend this to 45 days
• The phone must match its description (this is where grading accuracy matters)
• The phone must be of satisfactory quality and fit for purpose
• Faults that develop within 6 months are presumed to have been present at sale

Full details on our returns page and warranty page.

If you're still researching

Take a look at the iPhone buying guide, Samsung Galaxy buying guide, or our best phones under £300 list. Or browse the full second-hand iPhone, Samsung Galaxy and Google Pixel ranges.

Frequently asked questions