- Grades are cosmetic. A, B and C are all fully working unless the offer declares faults.
- Grade B usually sits 12 to 25 percent below Grade A for the same model and configuration.
- Battery health is a separate line. A grade never implies a battery percentage.
- Grading is a convention, not a certified standard, so one company's A is another's B.
- Put the grade and its definition in the offer. That single line prevents most disputes.
The three grades at a glance
| Grade | How it looks | Function | Typical price step | Who buys it |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| A | Near flawless. At most faint marks you cannot see at arm's length. | Full | The reference price | Retail and consumer refurbished channels |
| B | Visible light scratches and minor frame marks. No cracked glass. | Full | Roughly 12 to 25 percent below A | The widest wholesale market, best volume |
| C | Heavy wear. Deep scratches, chips, dents. | Full unless declared | Well below B | Repair channel and budget export markets |
Cracked glass is normally not plain Grade C. Most sellers push cracked screens into a separate C plus or a stated-faults tier, because a crack changes the repair cost rather than just the look. If a lot is offered as Grade C, ask directly whether cracks are included.
Why Grade B is the one that moves
Grade A gets the attention, but Grade B is where most wholesale volume sits. The device performs identically, the discount is real, and the cosmetic gap disappears the moment a case goes on. For a buyer serving a price-sensitive market, B is usually the better margin per unit. For a buyer supplying a retail refurbished channel, A is often the only grade the channel will accept, which is why A carries the premium.
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The two things that cause every dispute
1. Grading is a convention, not a standard
There is no certifying body for phone grades. Each company writes its own scale, and the boundaries move. One trader's Grade A is another's Grade B, and both can argue in good faith. The fix is not to trust the letter, it is to make the letter mean something in writing: agree what A means for this lot before the lot ships.
2. Battery is a separate spec
A grade says nothing about the battery. A pristine Grade A body can carry a battery at 79 percent, and a scuffed Grade C can be near new inside. Battery health is specified on its own line, commonly as a floor such as 85 percent plus. If the offer does not state it, treat it as unspecified rather than assuming. For the detail on why 80 percent became the industry line, see our guide to iPhone battery health in wholesale trading.
What to write in the offer
- The grade, and what it means here. One sentence describing acceptable wear for this lot.
- Battery floor. A number, not an adjective.
- Whether cracked glass is included. Yes or no, in writing.
- Functional test scope. What was tested, and what was not.
- Mixed-grade split. If a lot is mixed, state the ratio rather than the average.
A mixed lot described only as "A and B" is the classic setup for an argument. State the split.
For the full grading framework including functional checks and dispute handling, see how to grade used smartphones for wholesale. Individual term pages: Grade A, Grade B, Grade C.
Frequently asked questions
What does Grade B mean on a phone?
Grade B means visible cosmetic wear, typically light scratches and minor frame marks, with no cracked glass and full function. It is the most traded grade in wholesale because the price step down is meaningful while the device still works exactly like a Grade A unit.
What does Grade C mean on a phone?
Grade C means heavy cosmetic wear such as deep scratches, chips and dents, while the device remains fully functional unless declared faults are stated. Cracked screens are normally pushed into a separate C plus sub grade rather than sold as plain Grade C.
What is the difference between Grade A and Grade B?
Grade A is near flawless with at most faint marks that are hard to see at arm's length. Grade B carries visible wear. Both are fully functional, so the difference is cosmetic and it shows up in price rather than performance.
How much cheaper is Grade B than Grade A?
Grade B typically runs 12 to 25 percent below Grade A for the same model and configuration. The exact step depends on the model, the region and how tight supply is that week.
Does the grade tell you the battery health?
No. Grade describes cosmetic condition only. Battery health is specified separately, so never assume a grade implies a battery percentage without seeing it written on the spec sheet.
Are grading standards the same everywhere?
No. Grading is an industry convention, not a certified standard, so one company's Grade A can be another's Grade B. This is the single most common source of disputes, which is why the grade should always be written into the offer alongside what it specifically means.