Refurbished Condition Grades Explained: What Do Like New, Very Good and Acceptable Mean?

The biggest difference when buying refurbished is not the technology, but the appearance. The technology is fully tested on every device; the condition grade only describes how many traces its previous life has left. If you understand the grades, you save with precision.

One principle first: the technology is always tested

No matter which condition grade: every device at remarket.ch goes through an 80-point diagnosis with the PhoneCheck software, an independent industry standard. Among the items tested are the display, camera, microphones, speakers, sensors, Face ID or Touch ID, Wi-Fi, mobile network and the battery. Only devices that pass the test go on sale, with a 1-year warranty and a 14-day right of return. So the grades only differ in appearance, never in function.

The condition grades at a glance

• New in box: Original packaging, unopened, a brand-new device at a better price.
• New with film: Unboxed but unused, the protective film is still on.
• Like New: Used, but without visible signs of use. Practically indistinguishable from a new device.
• Light signs of use: Fine scratches you have to look for, usually on the frame or the back. The display is flawless.
• Acceptable: Visible signs of use, the device has lived a life. Technically just as tested and guaranteed, but the cheapest.

We show transparently what the grades look like in practice with sample photos right on the product page; under condition examples you can see the same device in every grade.

Battery health: stated separately

The battery has its own indicator, independent of the cosmetic grade: every device lists its measured maximum capacity in percent. From around 85 percent you are in the green zone. That way you know exactly where you stand before buying, with no surprises after two weeks.

Which grade suits you?

Maximum looks: Like New, if you want a flawless device but don't want to pay the new price.
Best value for money: Light signs of use; the difference from Like New is small, the price gap often significant.
Maximum savings: Acceptable, ideal if the device is going into a case anyway. With a case and screen protector, nobody will see the difference.

Conclusion

The condition grade is a price lever, not a quality risk. Technology, warranty and right of return are identical across all levels. Choose the look that fits your budget; in our shop you can filter directly by condition.