Refurbished Condition Grades Explained: Like New, Very Good, Good – What They Actually Mean

You found the perfect refurbished iPhone. One seller calls it "Excellent," another says "Grade B," a third lists it as "Very Good."

Same condition? Not even close.

Here's the problem: Every platform defines their quality grades differently. What passes as "Very Good" at Refurbed might get labeled "Good" at Back Market. The terms sound official, but they don't mean the same everywhere. And that can cost you money.

There's no universal standard for refurbished condition grades. Some measure scratches from 20 cm distance, others from 50 cm. Some require at least 85% battery capacity, others accept 80%. These differences cost you money if you don't know about them.

I looked at the grading systems from Refurbed, Back Market, Rebuy, Amazon Renewed, and Apple. This guide explains what the labels actually mean and which refurbished condition you should choose.

What Does Refurbished Condition Mean? Definition and Quality

Before we talk about grades, the basics: Refurbished refers to electronics that have been professionally restored. The device gets cleaned, tested, and repaired if needed. Defective components are replaced. The refurbished condition gets graded into quality levels just like any standardized grading system.

If you're not entirely sure what refurbished means, our comprehensive guide explains the basics of the refurbishment process.

The key difference from a privately sold used device: warranty. Reputable sellers offer at least 12 months, some up to 36 months.

Here's the crucial point many people miss: Condition grades only describe appearance. Whether "Like New" or "Good," all devices work perfectly. According to Refurbed: "The condition categories only describe appearance. All phones work like new, from hardware to software, regardless of condition."

A scratched device runs just as fast as a pristine one. The refurbished condition only affects looks, not performance. You're not paying for better functionality with "Like New," you're paying for flawless appearance.

The 4 Main Refurbished Condition Grades Explained

Most German platforms use a three or four-tier system. Names vary, but the principle stays similar. Check our detailed condition guide for visual examples and more details on each grade.

Like New / Excellent / Grade A

The top tier - and honestly, usually overrated. The device looks fresh out of the box: No scratches, no dents, nothing. Apple Certified even includes original packaging.

Sounds perfect? It is. But you pay for it. Instead of 35% off like "Very Good" you only save 15-25%. For flawless appearance that you'll hide under a case.

When it makes sense: Gifts. Resale value. Or you're someone who loses sleep over scratches. Everyone else can find better deals.

Savings: 15-25%

Very Good / Grade B

This is where it gets interesting. This is the grade I buy almost every time - and most pros do too.

What "Very Good" means: Minimal signs of use that you only see on close inspection. Maybe a small scratch on the case. Display flawless 99% of the time. Nothing noticeable in daily use.

The price? 25-35% off retail. You save another €100-€150 compared to "Like New," even though the device looks practically the same. That's the best value on the market.

Only reason against this grade: You want to resell in two years and get maximum value. Otherwise? Buy "Very Good."

Savings: 25-35%

Good / Grade C

Visible signs of use here. The device has lived a life and you can tell. Scratches on the case, maybe a small dent, possibly micro-scratches on the display (invisible when the screen is on).

But - and this matters - technically everything is perfect. The battery lasts just as long as "Like New." The camera works the same. Only appearance shows age.

35-45% off. On an iPhone 14 Pro you save €350-€450 compared to retail. For a device you'll put in a case anyway.

Who should buy this: Pragmatists. People with kids (the device will get scratched anyway). Secondary phones. Work devices. Anyone who values function over Instagram-worthy looks.

Savings: 35-45%

Acceptable

Not all sellers offer this tier. Amazon Renewed and some international platforms use it for devices with significant wear.

What to expect:

• Visible wear and tear

• Deeper scratches possible

• Possible cosmetic issues on buttons or ports

• Works perfectly

Typical savings: 45 to 55% off retail price

Who should choose this: Extremely budget-conscious buyers, secondary devices, work phones that live in rugged cases anyway.

Platform Comparison: How Refurbished Condition Standards Differ

This is where it gets interesting. Same labels for refurbished condition don't mean same standards. According to a Zeit Geist comparison, there are significant differences between major platforms.

Refurbed

Grading method: 30 cm viewing distance
Battery minimum: 80%
Special feature: Strict seller screening, tree planted per device

What this means for you: Refurbed's 30cm standard is stricter than Back Market's 50cm rule for "Very Good." So a "Very Good" from Refurbed is closer to other platforms' "Like New." The 80% battery standard is industry norm - not bad, but Back Market offers 85% minimum.

You can learn more about Refurbed and see current offers in our seller profile.

Back Market

Grading method: Variable viewing distance (20 to 50 cm)
Battery minimum: 85%
Special feature: Marketplace model, Stiftung Warentest winner (grade 1.8)

What this means for you: Back Market's "Very Good" is more generous than Refurbed's - scratches only need to be invisible from 50cm instead of 30cm. But you get at least 85% battery. If battery life matters more than perfect looks, Back Market is the better choice.

Find more details and current offers in our Back Market seller profile.

Rebuy

Grading method: Subjective "wear and tear" assessment

Minimum battery capacity: 80%

Special feature: In-house refurbishment, rated test winner by Stiftung Warentest (grade 2.2)

Find details about Rebuy and available products in our Rebuy seller profile.

Amazon Renewed

Grading method: Four-tier system

Minimum battery capacity: 80%

Special feature: 130+ functional tests before sale, Amazon guarantee

Apple Certified Refurbished

Grading method: Single tier only

Minimum battery capacity: 100% (new battery)

Special feature: According to RefurbMe, Apple Certified Refurbished devices get a completely new battery and outer shell. They also undergo 145-point inspections. That explains the higher price compared to third-party refurbished.

Comparison Table: All Platforms at a Glance

Battery Capacity: The Hidden Quality Factor

You've now seen that "Very Good" at Refurbed is different from Back Market. But there's another quality factor most comparisons completely ignore:

The battery.

Weird, right? Everyone talks about scratches you won't see under a case anyway. But how long the device lasts without a charger? Often in the fine print.

The condition grade tells you how the device looks. What it often doesn't reveal and matters for refurbished quality: How healthy is the battery?

There are big differences here that can matter more in daily life than a scratch on the case.

Here's what to watch for:

What the Percentages Really Mean

According to Back Market: "Anything over 80% battery capacity is essentially no different than 100% in daily use." The 80% mark is where battery performance noticeably declines.

But there are nuances - and they can annoy you in a year:

80% capacity (standard at most platforms):
You get through the day. Barely. Evening charging becomes routine. After a year you might be at 70%, and then it gets annoying.

85% capacity (Back Market standard):
Noticeably better. Full day of intensive use? No problem. More buffer for the future.

86%+ capacity (premium segment):
These are devices that last another 2-3 years before the battery becomes a problem. Some sellers like Swappie have introduced this higher standard.

My Battery Capacity Advice

If you plan to use a device for more than two years, pay attention to platforms with higher battery minimums. A device at 80% capacity might be at 70% in a year, and then you'll feel the difference.

With Back Market you get guaranteed 85% minimum. With Refurbed it could be just 80%. Both are fine, but you should know before you buy.

The 5 Biggest Myths About Refurbished Condition and Quality Grades

"Lower grades work worse"

No. Just no.

A "Good" iPhone runs just as fast as a "Like New" iPhone. Same processor, same RAM, same software. Every reputable refurbishment tests functionality 100%, whether the device later sells for €550 or €850.

The refurbished condition has no impact on performance. A "Good" device runs identically to "Like New."

You're paying for looks. Period. Not performance.

"80% battery means it's almost dead"

Many people think this. But it's nonsense.

Back Market has published data: At over 80% capacity there's virtually no difference to 100% in daily use. Noticeable degradation only starts below 80%.

Meaning: An iPhone with 80% battery handles a full day of normal use. No problem. Only when you drop to 70% or below (which happens after 1-2 years) do you really notice.

"All platforms grade the same"

Ha. If that were true, you wouldn't need this guide.

As I showed above: Refurbed's "Very Good" = 30cm distance standard. Back Market's "Very Good" = 50cm distance. These are completely different ratings with the same label.

There's no industry standard. RefurbMe explicitly confirms this. A "Grade B" here isn't the same as a "Grade B" there.

So: Always check platform criteria, not just labels.

"Lower grades are bad deals"

The opposite is often true. Stiftung Warentest found that many devices arrived in better condition than described. Conservative grading often means pleasant surprises.

"Apple Certified Refurbished is just expensive marketing"

The price premium has a reason. According to RefurbMe, these devices get a completely new battery and outer shell. That's fundamentally different from third-party Grade A.

Which Refurbished Condition Should You Choose?

Okay, enough theory. What should you actually buy?

Here's my honest recommendation, based on years in the industry:

90% of people should buy "Very Good."

Why? You get a device that looks practically new, but save 25-35% instead of just 15%. The "signs of use" are so minimal in most cases you won't find them without a magnifying glass. And even if you do - it goes in a case.

I buy "Very Good" almost always. My friends too. Most pros I know as well.

Exceptions:

You should buy "Like New" if:

• It's a gift (looks matter when unboxing)

• You'll resell in 2 years (better resale value)

• Scratches mess with your head (no joke, some people are like that)

You should buy "Good" if:

• Function > looks for you

• The device goes in a case anyway (smartphones, iPads)

• It's a secondary device or for kids

• You want maximum savings (35-45% off is serious)

You should buy "Apple Certified" if:

• You want absolute peace of mind

• Money isn't an issue (15% off is... little)

• Apple warranty matters to you

My personal tip: Buy "Very Good" from Back Market or Refurbed. Best balance of price and condition. If the device has more scratches than expected - 30-day returns, no drama.

Real Price Examples: What You Save with Different Refurbished Conditions

To make the price differences between various refurbished conditions more tangible, here's a typical example:

iPhone 14 Pro (128 GB), January 2026:

Choosing "Very Good" over "Like New" saves you about €100. "Good" instead of "Very Good" saves another €100. The device works identically in all cases.

If you want to compare current iPhone prices, you'll find all offers from different sellers clearly organized at our platform.

Stiftung Warentest found concrete savings of over €300 on a Samsung Galaxy S20 and €230 on an iPhone 11 in their tests, compared to the lowest new purchase prices.

What Stiftung Warentest Discovered About Refurbished Condition

Stiftung Warentest tested nine platforms in 2023. Interesting, but take it with a grain of salt: They only tested 45 devices. With thousands of devices sold daily, that's a tiny sample.

Still, the results provide guidance:

The good ones:

• Back Market: Grade 1.8 (marketplace test winner)

• Rebuy: Grade 2.2 (online retailer test winner)

• Six of nine platforms rated "Good"

Interesting observations:

• Some devices arrived in better condition than advertised (conservative grading)

• Occasional issues: defective speakers, battery problems, missing software updates

• Overall positive conclusion for the industry

The testers' takeaway: With reputable refurbished sellers, you get the stated refurbished condition or even a device in better condition than expected.

My addition: Yes, but edge cases happen. That's why return rights are so important.

Warranty and Return Rights

An important point often overlooked: Regardless of refurbished condition, all quality grades get the same warranty.

German law:

• 12 months warranty with all commercial sellers

• Applies regardless of condition grade

Additional seller warranties:

• Refurbed: At least 12 months

• Back Market: At least 12 months + 30-day returns

• Rebuy: Up to 36 months possible

• Apple Certified: 12 months Apple warranty

Whether you buy "Like New" or "Good," your warranty rights are identical. A faulty battery or broken display after three months gets repaired or replaced in both cases.

Our detailed warranty comparison shows which sellers offer the best warranty terms.

Conclusion

Refurbished quality grades aren't rocket science, but they're not a unified system either. The key takeaways:

The refurbished condition only describes appearance. Whether "Like New" or "Good," all devices function the same.

There's no universal standard. Refurbed, Back Market, and Rebuy grade differently. A "Very Good" here isn't identical to a "Very Good" there.

"Very Good" usually offers the best value. You get an almost perfect device and save 25 to 35% compared to new.

Pay attention to battery capacity. The differences between 80% and 85% minimum can be more relevant long-term than a scratch on the case.

Buy only from reputable refurbished sellers. Stiftung Warentest showed that major platforms deliver. Buying from unknown sellers doesn't really save money if problems show up later.

Now you know the differences between refurbished conditions. At refurbito, you can compare prices for your desired device across platforms and find the best deal in your preferred condition grade.