Will a Refurbished Phone Have Scratches? A Grade-by-Grade Guide

18 May 2026

It is the question that makes refurbished buyers hesitate: will the phone be scratched? The honest answer is that it depends entirely on the grade you choose, and grading exists precisely so you know what to expect. Here is a grade-by-grade guide to cosmetic condition.

Scratches are a grade choice, not a surprise

When you buy refurbished from a professional seller, you are not gambling on appearance. Every device is graded by cosmetic condition before it is listed, so the grade tells you in advance how much wear to expect. A higher grade means fewer marks; a lower grade means more, for a lower price.

The most important thing to understand: scratches are surface-level only. They do not affect how the phone works, because every grade passes the same functional testing. For the full picture, see our pillar guide refurbished phone quality explained.

Grade-by-grade cosmetic expectations

Grade	Also called	Scratches to expect
A / Excellent	Like-new, pristine	Minimal to none, looks close to new
B / Good	Very good	Light marks, mostly hidden by a case
C / Fair	Acceptable	More visible scratches and wear

Like-new or excellent: minimal to no marks

If a flawless look matters most, this is your grade. Devices here show minimal to no visible marks and look closest to a brand-new phone. You pay a little more for that pristine appearance. To understand how close this gets to new overall, see is a refurbished iPhone as good as new.

Good: light marks, easily covered

Expect light signs of use, perhaps a few small marks visible up close. In daily life, most of these disappear behind a case and screen protector. This grade is the value sweet spot because you get the same full functionality for less, which we explore in best value refurbished iPhone.

Fair: more visible wear

A fair-grade phone shows more noticeable scratches and wear that you can see in the light. If your priority is the lowest price and you do not mind visible marks, especially with a case on, this grade delivers a fully working phone for less.

Why scratches do not equal lower quality

It is worth repeating, because it is the heart of the matter: a scratch is cosmetic. A fair-grade phone with visible marks has passed exactly the same tests as a pristine one, including a confirmed healthy battery. The grade describes the outside, not the inside. Learn how the whole scale works in refurbished grades explained.

How to choose with scratches in mind

Ask yourself one question: how much do you look at the bare phone?

If you keep it caseless and want it pristine, choose like-new or excellent.
If you use a case and screen protector anyway, a good grade saves money with marks you will rarely see.
If you want the lowest price and are relaxed about appearance, fair works fully.

A simple tip: a case and a screen protector instantly hide most light marks, which is why so many buyers happily pick a lower grade and pocket the saving.

The takeaway

Whether a refurbished phone has scratches is your choice, set by the grade. Like-new grades show minimal to no marks; lower grades show more, for less money. In every case the phone is fully tested, working and backed by a warranty, so a scratch only ever affects looks, never performance.

Pick the look and price that suit you. Browse the YesAgain range by grade, each device sold with a warranty and UAE VAT invoice.

Frequently asked questions