Sell My iPhone Mobile Device Grading Guidelines

Welcome to Sell My iPhone! Our goal is to provide you with a transparent and equitable trade-in experience. To achieve this, we thoroughly inspect, test, and grade every device that comes our way, ensuring you receive the accurate value for your device. This guide outlines our grading process, helping you understand what to expect before you send in your device.

Our grading criteria apply not only to smartphones but also extend to other gadgets such as iPads, watches, tablets, and earphones. To maintain transparency and clarity, we recommend taking photos of your device prior to shipping it to us.

Thank you for choosing Sell My iPhone. We're committed to making your trade-in process simple and efficient.

Device Condition Criteria

We make sure to check the following:

The device powers on and operates.
Phone features include the Home Button, Touch ID, Face ID, and NFC.
Battery Health and any battery service messages.
Rear and front cameras (including video recording).
LCD.
Microphone and speakers.
Buttons and switches.
If any parts or accessories are missing.
Connectivity features: WiFi, Bluetooth, GPS.
Sensors: light & proximity.
iCloud lock status.
Knox warranty status.
Evidence of water damage.
SIM card detection.
Condition of the front glass, back cover, and frame.
Apple Only: Any warnings about non-genuine battery/screen/camera components in the settings menu

Mobile Device Grading Process

When grading a device we have received, we consider two main aspects: visual appearance and functionality. This approach ensures that each device is assessed fairly and consistently, and by disclosing these checks, we hope to provide you with a clear understanding of our grading process.

Visual Grading

Visual grading involves thoroughly inspecting the device's screen, frame, and back cover. Our visual check process is quick yet carefully considered, taking about 15-20 seconds per device. Upon arrival for inspection, the received device is thoroughly cleaned, and any cases and/or screen protectors are removed (apart from manufacturer-installed screen protectors).

Our visual grading considers the following:

Screen: Scratches, cracks, or other visible damage.
Frame: Signs of wear, dents, or bends.
Back Cover: Scratches, cracks, dents or other damage.

While the overall appearance of the device is the primary consideration in visual grading, a few specific signs of wear will automatically disqualify the device from achieving a higher grade. For example, a deep scratch that can be felt with a finger disqualifies a device from receiving anything higher than a grade of Poor or Faulty.

These major imperfections that will determine a device's disqualification from specific grades include:

Cracks.
Heavy and deep scratches.
Major dents or bends.
Screen burn.
White spots on the display.
Discolouration on the display.

Visual grading is subjective, even when our techniques are applied to ensure consistent grading. Therefore, we are unable to cover every possible imperfection within this guide; we encourage you to contact us if you have further questions regarding visual grading before sending us your device.

Functionality Grading

Functionality grading assesses the operational aspects of the device, ensuring it works as intended. We evaluate the device using MobiONE diagnostics software from MobiCode and in the following specific order, from the most impactful factors to the least:

Power: Does the device power on and stay on without a charger?
Functionality: Does the device operate correctly? Do its features, such as the Home Button, Face ID, Touch ID, and NFC, all work correctly?
LCD: Is the screen free from faults such as discolouration or dead pixels?
Original Components: Has the device been previously repaired or modified with non-genuine parts? Is the water-tight seal intact on applicable models?
Physical Integrity: Is the device physically intact and fully operational?

Each device is tested until the most significant fault is identified. Therefore, a device with a major fault that disqualifies it from a higher grade may also have minor issues typically seen in higher-grade devices.

All working devices sent to us should have batteries that hold a charge and operate under normal conditions. For Apple iPhones and iPads released in 2016 and later, we must ensure each device has a minimum battery health of 85% according to Apple's Maximum Capacity measure found in settings. Devices with a battery health lower than this number will be disqualified from any working grade and be classed as Faulty.

Grade New - Mobile Devices

The device has never been used or activated and is in its original sealed packaging.

Note: The package should remain factory-sealed. If not, the device will be regarded as in Excellent condition.

Grade Excellent (A) - Mobile Devices

Visual Grading

The device is in "like new" condition with no scratches, damage, or signs of wear on the touchscreen, case, or rear housing.

Frame

No noticeable scratches or marks

Back Cover

The back cover is without any defects.
Small amounts of hairline scratches are permitted.

Screen

No noticeable scratches or marks.

Functional Grading

The device powers on and operates perfectly.
All features, such as the Home Button, Touch ID, Face ID, and NFC, are fully operational.
Battery Health: There must be at least 90%, and no battery service message must be present. (Will be lowered from this grade if 90% is not met)
Original Parts: All components must be included with the water-tight seal intact on applicable models. (On Apple devices, there must be no "Non-genuine Parts" warning or non genuine parts detected)
There is no evidence of water/moisture damage.
If applicable, the stylus should be included in the package. For flip/fold models, manufacturer screen protectors must still be installed on the device and be able to be fully opened.
Rear and front cameras (including video recording) are functioning.
LCD is intact and functioning.
The microphone and speakers are working correctly.
Buttons and switches function correctly.
Connectivity: WiFi, Bluetooth, and GPS are working.
Sensors: Light and proximity sensors are functional.
SIM card detection is working.

Grade Good (B) - Mobile Devices

Visual Grading

A used device in good condition with minor noticeable wear marks at arm's length is allowed. A few minor scratches (not detectable by touch/fingernail) and marks are permitted. Most devices have only some of the following wear marks, not all of them.

Frame

Few Minor Scratches and a few more minor dents/chips are allowed.
Deeper marks from falling are not permitted.

Back Cover

Collection of hairline scratches is allowed.
Some shallow chips may be permitted.

Screen

Collection of hairline scratches or a few scattered deeper slight scratches allowed.

Functional Grading

The device powers on and operates perfectly.
All features, such as the Home Button, Touch ID, Face ID, and NFC, are fully operational.
Battery Health: Must be at least 85% and no battery service message. (Will disqualified from this grade if the 85% is not met)
Original Parts: All components must be included with the water-tight seal intact on applicable models. (On Apple devices, there must be no "Non-genuine Parts" warning).
There is no evidence of water/moisture damage.
If applicable, the stylus should be included in the package. For flip/fold models, manufacturer screen protectors must still be installed on the device and be able to be fully opened.
Rear and front cameras (including video recording) are functioning.
LCD is intact and functioning.
The microphone and speakers are working correctly.
Buttons and switches function correctly.
Connectivity: WiFi, Bluetooth, and GPS are working.
Sensors: Light and proximity sensors are functional.
SIM card detection is working.

Grade Fair (C) - Mobile Devices

Visual Grading

This grade is for a clearly used device with deeper dents and easily visible scratches. Devices with more considerable cosmetic wear are assessed under this grade.

Frame

Deeper scratches and dents are allowed.

Back Cover

Deeper scratches and dents are allowed.
Larger chips on the device are permitted.

Screen

Minor and deep scratching are acceptable, but deep scratches should not be detected by touch or fingernails over 1 cm in length.

Functional Grading

The device powers on and operates.
All features, such as the Home Button, Touch ID, Face ID, and NFC, are operational.
Battery Health: Must be at least 85% and no battery service message. (Will disqualified from this grade if the 85% is not met)
Original Parts: All components must be included with the water-tight seal intact on applicable models. (On Apple devices, there must be no "Non-genuine Parts" warning).
There is no evidence of water/moisture damage.
If applicable, the stylus should be included in the package. For flip/fold models, manufacturer screen protectors must still be installed on the device and be able to be fully opened.
Rear and front cameras (including video recording) are functioning.
LCD is intact and functioning.
The microphone and speakers are working.
Buttons and switches function.
Connectivity: WiFi, Bluetooth, and GPS are working.
Sensors: Light and proximity sensors are functional.
SIM card detection is working.

Grade Faulty - Mobile Devices

Visual Grading

This grade is for devices with significant damage, including multiple deep scratches, cracks, chips, and dents. Furthermore, the device may have further functionality faults and other issues that alter its normal usage.

Please note that any quote received for a ‘Faulty’ grade device when creating your trade-in is an up-to-price, and the number of defects will impact the device's actual value.

Frame

Multiple deep scratches, cracks, chips, and dents are allowed.

Back Cover

Multiple deep scratches, cracks, chips, and dents are allowed.
Devices with plastic frames may have minor cracks that do not affect the phone's usability.

Screen

Multiple deep scratches, cracks, chips, and dents are allowed.
Missing miniature fragments and slight discolouration are acceptable.

Functional Grading

The device powers on and operates.
Battery Health: Can be below 85% and/or have a battery service message.
Apple Only: The settings menu warns about non-genuine battery/screen/camera components.
Visible Damage: Heavy damage, including cracks, dents, and heavy wear.
Screen and Camera: Cracked screens, rear camera lenses, and housing are acceptable.
Display Issues: Cracks, white spots, screen burn, discolouration, dead pixels, or heavy scratches.
Water Damage: Evidence of water or liquid damage.

Screen Burn & Ink Spread

Screen Burn & Ink Spread are acceptable in this grade

Special Note:

If the device does not power up, or if Face ID/Touch ID is faulty (Apple Only), the maximum offer for the device will be £5.00.
If the device is associated with iCloud or Android Cloud accounts that cannot be removed, we are unable to offer compensation for them, and they will be recycled free of charge.