Key takeaways
- Beauty does not prove the radio works.
- Function does not prove the glass is intact.
- Photograph cosmetics. Log functions as pass, fail, or not tested.
- Do not let “100% working” replace a test list.
- Locks and IMEI are identity and policy, not either grade.
One letter cannot describe a scratch and a failed microphone. Wholesale needs two grades because those failures have different buyers and different prices.
The two axes
| Axis | Question | Evidence |
|---|---|---|
| Cosmetic | What does the housing, glass, paint, and ports look like? | Photos on a written scale |
| Functional | Do named tests pass? | Pass / fail / not tested |
| Outside both | Can this unit be sold at all? | IMEI, locks, account, MDM, parts labels |
R2v3 does not give you this table. It is a facility reuse standard. Your lot still needs the axes in the order.
Cosmetic grade
Record what a customer will see in the first ten seconds:
- Front glass and coating
- Back glass or paint
- Frame dents and gaps
- Port and button wear
- Missing trays, screws, or cameras
Use the A/B/C page only after those items are defined. A crack belongs here, with a photo, even if every test passes.
Functional grade
List tests. A useful minimum for phones you will resell:
- Power on and charge
- Display, touch, dead pixels
- Front and rear cameras, flash
- Earpiece, speaker, microphones
- Buttons, haptic, biometrics
- Cellular attach, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth
- Charging port and included cable
Write pass, fail, or not tested. “100% working” is a slogan.
iPhone Parts and Service History is not a functional grade. A Genuine repair can still fail a camera test. An Unknown part can still make calls.
Why mixing the axes fails
A supplier who says “Grade A, 100% working” has given you neither axis. You cannot reject a dead proximity sensor against a photo of a clean back. You cannot reject heavy paint wear against a call test.
Accept / Clarify / Reject
| Evidence | Accept | Clarify | Reject |
|---|---|---|---|
| Two named grades | Both defined | One letter for both | “Quality phones” |
| Cosmetic photos | Match the scale | Stock collage | No photos allowed |
| Functional list | Tests named | “Fully tested” | No list after you asked |
| Failed radio, clean glass | Functional fail, cosmetic A | Relabeled as B | Sold as A working |
Related checks
Frequently asked questions
Can a cracked phone be functionally Grade A?
Yes, if your functional list passes and the crack is in the cosmetic grade. Write both. Do not call that unit Grade A with no crack note.
Is a factory reset a functional test?
No. A reset is a state change. Functional grading is a list of hardware and radio checks you can repeat.
Sources and methodology
- Welcome to R2v3 — Sustainable Electronics Recycling International Accessed August 22, 2026.
- iPhone Parts and Service History — Apple Support Accessed August 22, 2026.
Update history
- — First published. Official sources on this page were accessed on this date unless a later note says otherwise.
Factual corrections after publication are listed on the corrections page. There is no separate reviewer identity on this desk. See the editorial policy.
About the author
Frank Dean
Frank Dean researches manufacturer, standards, and trade documents for PhoneBulk, then turns them into accept / clarify / reject buying guidance for resellers.
- Source-backed wholesale research
- Claim-level fact review
- Separation of official rule and trade practice