If you've ever shopped for a refurbished phone in Singapore, you've probably seen listings labelled Grade A, Grade B, or Grade C. But what do those grades actually mean — and does the grade you pick really matter?
It depends on what you're looking for. Here's what each grade means at TechPasar, and how to decide which one is right for you.
WHY GRADING MATTERS WHEN BUYING REFURBISHED TECH
When you buy a new phone, you know exactly what you're getting. Every unit off the shelf looks identical and performs the same way.
Refurbished tech is different. Each device has its own history — how it was used, how well it was looked after, whether it picked up scratches along the way. Without a standardised grading system, "refurbished" can mean almost anything.
At Tech Pasar, every refurbished phone goes through a hands-on inspection before it's listed. We check the screen, the body, the battery, the buttons, the ports and the software. Once we've completed that inspection, we assign a grade based on what we find. The grade tells you — upfront and honestly — what condition the device is in when it reaches you.
That matters because it lets you make a fair comparison. A Grade A iPhone at one price versus a Grade B iPhone at a lower price isn't an apples-to-apples comparison — it's a choice between condition levels. Knowing what each grade means puts you in control.
GRADE PREMIUM — WHAT TO EXPECT
This our highest condition tier. These are devices that show little to no cosmetic wear. If there are any marks at all, they're minor — the kind you'd expect from careful use, and barely visible in normal lighting.
What you can expect:
- Little or no visible scratches on the screen or body
- No dents, chips or significant marks
- Fully functional — all buttons, ports, speakers and cameras working as they should
- Battery health tested and meeting our minimum threshold
In short, a Grade Premium refurbished phone looks and performs close to new. If condition is your top priority — whether you're buying for yourself or as a gift — this is the tier to go for.
GRADE VERY GOOD — WHAT TO EXPECT
Devices are fully functional but show visible signs of use. You'll see minor scratches or scuffs on the body or screen — the kind of wear that accumulates from everyday use over months or years. Nothing that affects how the phone works, but visible if you look closely.
What you can expect:
- Minor scratches or scuffs — visible but not deep or distracting
- Fully functional — no issues with performance, software or hardware
- Battery health tested and stated on the listing
Grade B is the most popular tier for buyers who want a well-priced refurbished phone and don't mind light cosmetic wear. The phone works the same as a Premium Grade — you're just paying less because of how it looks.
If you spend most of your time with your phone in a case anyway, this grade is often the smarter buy.
GRADE FAIR — WHAT TO EXPECT
Devices have significant cosmetic wear — visible scratches, scuffs, or marks that are noticeable without looking hard. Every Grade listing discloses the specific defects on the product page, with photos of the actual unit.
What you can expect:
- Significant cosmetic wear, fully disclosed in the listing
- Fully functional — the phone works as it should
- Battery health tested and stated on the listing
- Sold as-is — not eligible for change-of-mind returns
This the most affordable tier and suits buyers who prioritise function over appearance. If you're buying a secondary phone, a device for a child, or simply need something that works reliably at the lowest possible price, Grade Fair delivers that.
One important note: because Grade Fair devices are sold as-is with all defects disclosed, they are not eligible for change-of-mind returns. What you see in the listing is what you get. If you have questions about a specific unit, contact us at support@techpasar.com before you buy.
WHAT WE CHECK ON EVERY DEVICE
The grade reflects the cosmetic condition. But regardless of grade, every device we sell goes through the same inspection process before it's listed.
This includes:
- Screen and display — checked for cracks, dead pixels and touch responsiveness
- Body and casing — assessed for scratches, dents and structural damage
- Battery health — tested and recorded; minimum threshold applied
- All buttons and switches — power, volume, mute
- All ports — charging port, headphone jack where applicable
- Cameras — front and rear, video and photo
- Speakers and microphone — call audio and media playback
- Connectivity — Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, mobile data, GPS
- Software — factory reset, no previous account locks, activation lock cleared
Battery health is listed on every phone product page. We don't sell units below our minimum battery health threshold — that number is stated on each listing so you know what you're buying.
WHICH GRADE IS RIGHT FOR YOU?
Here's a simple way to think about it:
Go with Grade Premium if:
- You want the device to look as close to new as possible
- You're buying it as a gift
- Condition is more important to you than price
Go with Grade Very Good if:
- You want the best value for a fully functional phone
- You're going to use a case anyway
- Light cosmetic wear doesn't bother you
Go with Grade Fair if:
- You need a working phone at the lowest price
- Appearance isn't a concern — function is
- You've read the listing carefully and you're comfortable with the disclosed condition
The grade only affects cosmetic condition — not our commitment to the device working as described.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Q: Can I return a Grade Fair device?
A: Devices are sold as-is and are not eligible for change-of-mind returns. However, they are still covered by the 6-month warranty for hardware defects.
Q: Is the battery health the same across grades?
A: Battery health is tested independently on every device, regardless of grade. The battery health percentage is listed on every product page. Our minimum battery health threshold is stated on each listing — we don't sell units below it.
Q: How do I know what defects a Grade Fair device has?
A: Every Grade listing includes a written condition note and actual photographs of the specific unit. You'll see exactly what you're getting before you buy.
Q: Where can I see all available grades?
A: Browse our full range of refurbished phones, laptops, tablets and audio on the TechPasar store. Grade is listed on every product page.
SHOP BY GRADE AT TECH PASAR
Tech Pasar is a Singapore-based certified refurbished electronics retailer. Every device is individually inspected, graded and covered by a 6-month limited warranty before it goes on sale.
Browse our collections:
- Refurbished phones (iPhone, Samsung Galaxy, OnePlus): techpasar.com/collections/phones
- Refurbished laptops (MacBook Pro, MacBook Air): techpasar.com/collections/laptops
- Refurbished tablets (iPad, Samsung Galaxy Tab): techpasar.com/collections/tablets
- Refurbished audio (AirPods, Sonos, Marshall): techpasar.com/collections/audio
