Refurbished phone grades describe cosmetic condition only, not how the phone works. Grade A is near mint with no visible scratches, Grade B has light scuffs or small marks you notice up close, and Grade C has visible scratches and wear from normal use. Every grade is fully functional, fully tested and carries the same warranty. The only real differences are how the phone looks in your hand and how much you pay. At Oz Tech Deals a Grade C iPhone 14 costs $549 while the same phone in Grade A costs $699, so choosing a lower grade can save you $150 on an identical device. If you use a case, the grade matters far less than most buyers think.
In this article
- What do refurbished phone grades actually mean?
- Is there a universal grading standard in Australia?
- How much do you save by dropping a grade?
- Does the grade affect battery health or performance?
- Which refurbished grade should you buy?
- FAQ
What do refurbished phone grades actually mean?
A grade is a cosmetic rating. After a phone is traded in, it gets wiped, tested, repaired if needed and then inspected under bright light for scratches, dents and screen marks. The inspector assigns a letter based on what they can see, not on how the phone performs.
That is the most misunderstood part of buying refurbished. A Grade C phone is not broken and does not have a weaker chip. It runs the same software, takes the same photos and gets the same updates as a Grade A unit. It just has a scratch or two on the back.
| Grade | Also called | What you will see | Screen | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Grade A | Excellent, near mint, pristine | Looks new. No scratches or chips, at most a faint mark you need to hunt for | Flawless | Gifts, people who go caseless, anyone who plans to resell later |
| Grade B | Very good, good | Light scuffs and fine scratches on the frame or back, visible up close | Minor marks at most, not distracting in use | The best all round value for most buyers |
| Grade C | Fair, acceptable, well used | Obvious scratches, scuffs and possible small dents from normal use | May show visible scratches | Cheapest entry point, kids and teens, tradies, anyone using a rugged case |
Notice what is not in that table: chip, camera, storage or software support. Those are identical across grades.
Is there a universal grading standard in Australia?
No. There is no legal or industry wide grading standard in Australia, which is exactly why the letters get abused. One retailer's Grade B can be another's Grade A, and some sellers invent extra tiers like "Grade A+" or "Premium" that mean whatever they want them to mean.
So treat the letter as a shorthand, then read the seller's own definition. Three questions worth asking before you buy:
- Is the grade cosmetic only, or does it also cover battery and parts? Reputable Australian sellers publish a minimum battery health figure separately from the cosmetic grade.
- What testing was done? Every refurbished phone at Oz Tech Deals goes through a 72 point Phonecheck test and uses genuine manufacturer parts, regardless of grade.
- What warranty comes with it? A grade means very little without a warranty behind it. Under Australian Consumer Law you also have consumer guarantees on top of any seller warranty.
How much do you save by dropping a grade?
This is where grading gets interesting. On current Oz Tech Deals pricing, moving from Grade A down to Grade C saves between 12% and 21% on the same phone, same storage, same warranty.
| Model | Grade A | Grade B | Grade C | A to C saving |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| iPhone 12 64GB | $489 | $449 | $399 | $90 (18%) |
| iPhone 13 128GB | $679 | $639 | $599 | $80 (12%) |
| iPhone 14 128GB | $699 | $649 | $549 | $150 (21%) |
| iPhone 15 128GB | $899 | $819 | $749 | $150 (17%) |
Here is the maths that decides it for most people. A decent case and screen protector costs roughly $50 to $150. If you were always going to use one, the $150 you save dropping from Grade A to Grade C on an iPhone 14 covers that protection outright.
The clearest example of grade pricing in our range. Same phone, same 24 month warranty, $150 apart.
Does the grade affect battery health or performance?
Not at Oz Tech Deals. Battery health is handled separately from the cosmetic grade. Every refurbished device we sell is tested to a minimum of 80% battery health, whether it is Grade A or Grade C, and every device is backed by a 24 month warranty on the phone plus a 12 month warranty on the battery.
Performance is the same story. A Grade C iPhone 13 has the same A15 Bionic chip, the same 12MP camera system and the same iOS update path as a Grade A iPhone 13. Chips do not wear out cosmetically.
On any refurbished listing, from any seller, check that the minimum battery health is stated as a number and that the warranty length is in writing. If a seller will not commit to either, that is your answer.
Grade C is the cheapest way into a 5G iPhone with MagSafe, OLED and a 24 month warranty.
Which refurbished grade should you buy?
Match the grade to how you actually use a phone rather than to how the listing photo looks.
Buy Grade A if you use your phone without a case, you are buying it as a gift, or you want the highest resale value in two years.
Buy Grade B if you want the best balance. This is the sweet spot for most Australian buyers. Marks are light enough that you will forget they exist within a week, and you keep most of the discount.
Buy Grade C if price is the priority, the phone is for a child or a work site, or you always run a protective case. Identical phone, identical testing and identical warranty, for the lowest price on the page.
One more tip: on higher end models the grade discount is larger in dollar terms. Dropping from Grade A to Grade C on an iPhone 15 saves $150, often enough to fund a case and screen protector outright. If you are still deciding between models, our refurbished iPhone buying guide walks through the seven checks that matter, and refurbished versus used explains why a graded phone beats a marketplace bargain.
USB-C, Dynamic Island and a 48MP camera. Grade B keeps it under $850 with the marks barely visible.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between Grade A and Grade B refurbished?
Appearance only. Grade A has no visible scratches and looks essentially new. Grade B has light scuffs or fine scratches on the frame or back that you notice when you look closely. Both are fully tested, use genuine parts and carry the same warranty and the same minimum 80% battery health.
Is Grade C refurbished bad?
No. Grade C describes visible cosmetic wear, not faults. A Grade C phone still has to pass the same functional testing as every other grade before it is sold. If you use a case, most Grade C wear is invisible in daily use, and it is the cheapest way into a given model.
Do refurbished phones come with a warranty in Australia?
They should. Oz Tech Deals includes a 24 month warranty on the device plus a 12 month warranty on the battery, on every grade. You also have consumer guarantees under Australian Consumer Law that apply regardless of the seller's own warranty terms.
What battery health should a refurbished phone have?
Look for a stated minimum of at least 80%. Every refurbished device sold at Oz Tech Deals is tested to a minimum of 80% battery health as standard, and battery health is not tied to the cosmetic grade.
Does a lower grade phone get fewer software updates?
No. Software support depends entirely on the model, not the condition. A Grade C iPhone 13 receives exactly the same iOS updates for exactly as long as a Grade A iPhone 13.
Which refurbished grade holds its value best?
Grade A, because cosmetic condition is what a future buyer or trade in service assesses first. If you plan to resell within two or three years, the Grade A premium is partly recovered later. If you plan to keep the phone until it dies, Grade B or C is the better financial choice.
Pick your grade, keep the savings
Every refurbished iPhone at Oz Tech Deals passes a 72 point Phonecheck test, uses genuine manufacturer parts and is tested to a minimum 80% battery health, whatever grade you choose.
Shop refurbished iPhones →24 month device warranty and 12 month battery warranty on every grade.