Clear, honest advice on choosing refurbished devices, testing smartphones in-store, understanding cosmetic grades, and verifying warranties before you buy.
Foundational guidance for comparing refurbished, used, and new electronics.
A refurbished device is a pre-owned product that has been cosmetically graded, functionally evaluated, and prepared for resale by a professional store, often with a seller warranty. In contrast, used devices are sold as-is without standardized condition disclosure or accountability, while new devices come unopened at full retail price.
Practical, step-by-step checklists for testing phones and verifying details in-store.
Inspect a refurbished phone in six steps: 1) check the body and glass against its cosmetic grade; 2) test display touch response, colour uniformity, and brightness; 3) review battery health percentage; 4) dial *#06# to match the IMEI against system settings and seller invoice; 5) test cameras, speakers, microphones, and charging; and 6) confirm seller warranty terms.
To verify a phone's IMEI: 1) Open the phone dialler and dial *#06# to display the 15-digit hardware IMEI; 2) Compare this number with the IMEI listed in the device's system settings under About Phone; 3) Match both against the seller's purchase invoice; and 4) Confirm that the seller provides a valid shop invoice with the device IMEI documented.
To buy refurbished phones safely: 1) purchase from verified businesses with a physical storefront; 2) review cosmetic grade and battery health before visiting; 3) test all hardware functions in person; 4) verify the device IMEI matches the seller invoice; and 5) obtain a written store warranty. Avoid unverified peer-to-peer sellers requesting advance online payments.
Understanding cosmetic grades, battery health tiers, and diagnostic test reports.
Cosmetic grades describe the external physical condition of a device, not its internal functionality. Grade A+ represents like-new condition with no visible scratches. Grade A indicates excellent condition with minor signs of use. Grade B reflects good condition with visible light wear. Grade C shows noticeable cosmetic marks. Functional status and battery health are disclosed separately.
When battery health is disclosed, TrueVolt categorises it into clear tiers: 90–100% is Like New, 80–89% is Excellent, 70–79% is Acceptable, and 60–69% is Fair. Battery health represents remaining maximum capacity compared to a new battery. Devices without disclosed battery health should be evaluated with extra care.
Warranty on refurbished devices depends on the individual listing. Some devices retain an active OEM (manufacturer) warranty, while others include a Shop Warranty provided directly by the seller. Shop warranties typically last 1 month, though duration varies by seller. TrueVolt is a marketplace and does not provide a platform-wide warranty.
The TrueVolt Pro Diagnostic is an optional 32-point automated test suite evaluating six core hardware categories: Buttons, Display, Sensors, Cameras, Audio & Haptics, and Power & Connectivity. When attached to a listing, it provides an objective, sensor-measured summary of device functionality. Diagnostics are optional and not present on every listing.
Explore our central FAQ hub for direct answers on store verification, battery testing, and marketplace policies.
