Grading Standards
Transparent grading, buyer satisfaction.
Secure competitive deals from a vetted seller network on a single platform. Cellbie partnered with CTIA to align grading standards in the industry, putting trust above one-off transactions.
Working and Broken
from Like New to Recycle
CTIA-inspired
industry-standard definitions
< 1% dispute rate
avoiding RMA costs
Flawless
An apparently untouched device in perfect condition. No signs of wear or scratches. Kitted with basic accessories.
Screen
No scratches or blemishes.
No screen burn or dead pixels.
Body
No scratches or blemishes.
Frame cannot be bent. Back cannot be broken. Hinged devices must open flat.
Functionality
100% functional. Battery ≥ 90%.
Excellent
Very light signs of use, but no signs of wear or scratches when held at arm's length.
Screen
Minimal light scratches, invisible when screen is on.
No dead pixels or screen burn.
Body
Minimal light scratches, no impact signs.
No dents or gaps. Frame cannot be bent. Back cannot be broken. Hinged devices must open flat.
Functionality
Battery ≥ 80%.
Passes key functional tests.
Good
Signs of wear from consistent use, but not visible when the screen is on. Scratches cannot be felt with touch. No dents, gaps, or drop damage.
Screen
Several visible but minor scratches.
No dead pixels or screen burn.
Body
Visible scratches, no impact dents or gaps.
Slight fading allowed. Frame cannot be bent. Back cannot be broken. Hinged devices must open flat.
Functionality
Battery ≥ 80%.
Passes key functional tests.
Worn
Fairly worn but fully functional. Good candidate for buff or reglass. Deep scratches, marks, dents, and worn corners are allowed — they do not affect functionality.
Screen
Deep scratches allowed, no cracks. Up to 3 dead pixels.
Buff/reglass candidate.
Body
Heavy scratching, up to 3 minor dents.
Small and light engraving allowed on tablets. Frame cannot be bent. Back cannot be broken. Hinged devices must open flat.
Functionality
Battery ≥ 70%. Missing SIM tray or pen allowed.
Passes key functional tests.
Repairable
Device must power on for diagnostic testing. Defects are allowed until they reach a non-economical repair price point.
Screen
Can be cracked, loose, or badly scratched.
Missing pixels, lines, burn-in, or discoloration allowed.
Body
Heavy scratches, up to 4 major dents.
Back and camera lens can be cracked. Bent smartphones → Recycle. Hinged devices must open flat. Engraving allowed.
Functionality
Must power on.
No FaceID or SIM detection → Recycle. Intermittent restarts or activation-stuck → Recycle.
Parts Only
Device is not economically repairable. Suitable for parts harvesting and responsible recycling only.
Screen
Any issue allowed.
Body
Any condition accepted.
Functionality
Any issue allowed.
How it works
How grading is enforced.
Mystery shopping
Devices go through Cellbie's 3PL operation to verify grades match expectations.
Seller vetting
In-person warehouse visits from the Cellbie business teams.
Grade mapping
Any unmapped condition from a seller's stock won't flow through the marketplace.
CTIA-inspired standards
Cellbie is a proud participant in the CTIA effort to align grading across the industry.
Rules & Disclaimers
Additional grading policies.
Device locks affect grading regardless of physical condition.
- Carrier-locked devices are graded as Unacceptable (Grade E) unless the seller unlocks them before listing.
- All other locks (MDM, FMiP, Google, iCloud, Passcode) automatically downgrade a device to Recycle (Grade R), regardless of physical condition.
Unlock carrier-locked devices before listing to increase recovery.
Secure predictable, quality devices.
Join a trusted B2B marketplace where every device is graded and verified. Pay upon delivery, with effortless IMEI-level reconciliation.
FAQ
Common questions about grading
How many conditions does Cellbie use?
Cellbie uses a 6-tier grading system: Grade A (Like New), Grade B (Very Good), Grade C (Good), Grade D (Acceptable), Grade E (Unacceptable), and Grade R (Recycle). Each grade has defined standards for screen condition, body condition, functionality, and battery health. The system is aligned with CTIA standards.
What does Grade D (Acceptable) condition mean on Cellbie?
Acceptable devices on Cellbie are fully functional but show visible wear — deep scratches, minor dents, worn corners. Battery health must be at least 70%. These devices are good candidates for buff or reglass. Batches are capped at 30% combined defects to protect buyer satisfaction.
How does Cellbie enforce grading accuracy?
Cellbie enforces grading through four mechanisms: mystery shopping tests through a 3PL operation, seller vetting before onboarding, grade mapping enforcement (blocking devices that cannot be mapped to Cellbie's standards), and CTIA-inspired condition definitions. The result is a platform-wide dispute rate below 1%.
What happens to locked devices on Cellbie?
Carrier-locked devices are graded as Unacceptable (Grade E) unless the seller unlocks them. All other locks (MDM, FMiP, Google, iCloud, Passcode) automatically downgrade to Recycle (Grade R). Sellers should unlock carrier-locked devices before listing for better pricing.
Can I buy lower-grade devices on Cellbie?
Cellbie's marketplace includes all 6 grades — from Like New (A) down to Recycle (R). Enterprise, and Managed Services are interested in pre-owned hardware procurement for device activations. Many Wholesalers and Retailers source Unacceptable (Grade E) devices for their repair and refurbishment operations. Grade R units are limited to trusted R2 Recyclers, hand picked by Cellbie. Buyers set prices per condition and get matched when supply arrives.