Our refurbishment process
10 stages50+ individual checks
What happens to a phone before we put it on sale.
Every phone we sell goes through a structured refurbishment process before it is listed. Verify the device, test the hardware, check the battery, remove previous user data, grade the cosmetic condition, confirm it is ready for everyday use.
The detail
The ten stages, in full
This is the long version. For the checklist at a glance, see our 10 Step Refurb Check. If you are still deciding whether refurbished is right for you, start with our Refurbished Phone Guide.
IMEI and lock status
We check the device identity and status before any refurbishment work continues, which lets us identify handsets that should not proceed to resale at all. Checks include IMEI verification against the CheckMend register, run through our MobiCode diagnostics, along with network status and confirmation that iCloud and FRP locks are clear and the handset is suitable for further testing.
Visual inspection
The frame, rear housing, display, camera surrounds, charging port and buttons are inspected for damage, signs of previous repair and general wear. We are looking for cracks, impact damage, poor previous repairs, loose components, and anything that could affect reliability later.
Screen and touch
We test the screen for touch response, brightness, colour consistency and visible defects. On OLED devices we also look for image retention and display wear. Where a screen has been replaced previously, the question that matters is whether display and touch performance meet our functional standards.
Buttons and ports
Power, volume and mute controls, the charging port and the SIM tray are each tested. These are everyday functions that a quick visual inspection misses entirely, and a worn charging port or a sticky volume button makes a phone frustrating to live with.
Cameras and audio
Front and rear cameras are checked for focus, still capture and video operation. Speakers, microphones and vibration are tested at the same time, since a fault in any of them is immediately obvious to the next owner.
Face ID and Touch ID
Biometric recognition is tested where the model supports it. This is a common weak point on handsets that have had a previous screen or camera-module repair, so it is checked separately rather than assumed.
Connectivity
Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, GPS and mobile-network operation are tested, along with charging itself. Where the model supports it, wireless charging is checked too.
Sensors
Proximity, accelerometer and gyroscope are checked. A failed proximity sensor is the reason a screen stays lit against your ear during a call, and it is the sort of fault that only shows up if you go looking for it.
Battery health
Battery condition is checked because a heavily worn battery makes an otherwise good phone poor value. Every phone we sell has a minimum of 85% battery health, and eligible devices carry 12-month battery cover alongside the main device warranty.
Wipe, grade and pack
Previous user data is securely wiped using MobiCode and the device factory reset, then prepared for a clean setup by the next owner.
Once functionality is confirmed, the phone is graded on cosmetic appearance. The grade describes visible wear, not whether the phone works — those are deliberately separate judgements. For a full explanation of our condition levels, see our grading guide.
A final check then confirms the phone matches its description, grade and storage, and that everything tested earlier still works. The device is cleaned and prepared for resale.
When something fails
What happens if a phone fails our checks?
A phone that does not meet our functional, battery or condition standards is not simply passed through for sale. Depending on the issue, it may be repaired and retested, or removed from sale entirely.
This is the practical difference between buying from a professional refurbisher and buying a handset privately with little or no testing history behind it.
Function and appearance are graded separately
A phone either works or it does not — that is the functional standard, and it is not negotiable. How it looks is a separate judgement, described by the grade. Keeping the two apart is what lets you buy a well-worn phone with confidence, or pay more for a pristine one knowing exactly what the difference buys.
What you get
Battery, warranty and returns standards
For the formal terms, see our Returns Policy. For practical help starting a return or fault claim, see Returns & Refunds.
Related pages
How this differs from our other quality pages
Four pages cover our standards, each doing a different job. This one is the detailed explanation of the process itself.
10 Step Refurb Check
The same ten stages as this page, condensed into a checklist you can scan in under a minute.
Refurbished Phone Guide
Written for buyers still deciding whether a refurbished phone is the right choice at all.
Quality Guarantee
The standards and aftercare we commit to, and what happens if a device does not meet them.
Ready to compare refurbished phones?
Browse our current range, or go straight to a model-specific category to find the right storage, colour and condition grade.
