If you've been in the wholesale refurbished phone business for any amount of time, you've heard the grades — A, B, C. But ask three different suppliers what those grades mean and you'll get three different answers.
That inconsistency costs money. You order what you think is Grade A inventory, it arrives looking more like Grade B, and now you're having a conversation with your retail customers that nobody wants to have.
At RecirQ, we grade every device against a defined standard before it ships. This post breaks down exactly what each grade means, how to think about resale value, and which grade makes sense for different markets.
Grade A devices look and function like new. These are phones that came off lease programs or were traded in very early. Cosmetically, Grade A means: no scratches or cracks visible at normal viewing distance, no dents or structural damage, buttons and ports fully functional, battery typically 80%+ health.
Typical Grade A use cases: Retail resale, premium reseller markets, corporate refresh programs, online marketplaces where ratings are driven by cosmetic condition.
Grade B devices are fully functional with visible but moderate cosmetic wear. Light scratches visible in direct light (no cracks), visible scuffs on body, possibly light dents on corners, battery typically 75–80%+ health.
Typical Grade B use cases: Value-oriented retail, prepaid markets, emerging markets, business handset programs.
Grade C devices work but show significant cosmetic damage. Deep scratches visible on screen, heavy scratches and dents on body, battery typically 70%+ health. All functions work normally.
Typical Grade C use cases: Budget retail segments, rural or developing markets, parts and repair supply.
The right grade depends on your end market. If your customers care about appearance, order Grade A. If you're competing on price in a value market, Grade B gives the best balance of quality and margin. For budget segments or parts supply, Grade C lets you hit price points that A and B can't touch.
All RecirQ inventory is sourced from major U.S. carriers through trade-in programs and corporate lease returns. Every device is inspected, tested, and graded at our facility. We don't mix grades within a lot — what you order is what ships.
RecirQ works exclusively with verified wholesale buyers. Sign up for a wholesale account at buy.recirqglobal.com to unlock pricing and direct ordering. Most approved buyers are placing orders within 24 hours.