Grade Mobile Review

Grade Mobile is a UK-based refurbished phone retailer founded in 2014, operating from Folkestone, Kent. The company handles all refurbishment in-house...

4.0/5

Refurbished Phone Retailer

Free Delivery

View Deals

1,036

Total Deals

Phones Available

£99

Cheapest SIM Free

Pros & Cons

Pros

In-house refurbishment with 60+ point quality checks, robot-assisted inspection, and third-party battery testing ensuring minimum 80% capacity
Free next-business-day tracked delivery as standard on all orders with no minimum spend
Three clear condition grades with different pricing so you choose the quality-to-value balance that suits you
Unique device lease model from under five pounds per month gives access to flagship phones without a large upfront cost or credit agreement

Cons

12-month warranty is shorter than competitors like MusicMagpie and CEX which both offer 24 months
Customer service is weekday only from 9am to 5pm with no live chat and some reports of slow email responses
Trade-in valuations can be significantly reduced after device inspection, causing frustration for sellers
Multiple sub-domains for different services can be confusing when navigating between lease, refurb purchase, and trade-in

Overview

Grade Mobile is a UK-based refurbished phone retailer founded in 2014, operating from Folkestone, Kent. The company handles all refurbishment in-house, with devices passing a 60+ point quality check including robot-assisted cosmetic inspection and third-party battery lab testing to ensure minimum 80% capacity.

Grade Mobile sells SIM-free unlocked handsets across three condition tiers: Grade A (Excellent), Grade B (Very Good), and Grade C (Good), with different pricing for each grade. The range covers Apple iPhones from the 6S through to the 17 Pro Max, Samsung Galaxy S20 through S26 Ultra, and Google Pixel 9 series.

What sets Grade Mobile apart from other refurbished retailers is their device lease model. Alongside standard outright purchases, customers can rent a refurbished phone on a 12 or 24-month lease agreement starting from under five pounds per month, with optional EE SIM bundles. The company is FCA authorised and regulated as a credit broker, with financing provided through Affirm.

Delivery

Free

Delivery

Yes

Next Day

Free next-business-day tracked delivery on all orders via Royal Mail Tracked 24. Orders placed before 2pm Monday to Friday ship same day. Full tracking included.

Cashback & Offers

Grade Mobile is listed on Quidco with cashback of up to 8% on purchases. Regular discount codes offering 5-15% off are also available through affiliate and voucher sites. Newsletter sign-up provides an immediate discount code.

Our Verdict

Grade Mobile offers a well-structured refurbished phone buying experience with its three-tier grading system and in-house refurbishment pipeline. The free next-day delivery and 30-day returns make the purchase low-risk, and the device lease model is a genuine differentiator that no other major UK refurbished retailer currently matches.

The main concerns are the shorter 12-month warranty compared to competitors offering 24 months, and the limited customer service hours. The trade-in side of the business has attracted complaints about reduced valuations after inspection, though this is separate from the buying experience which reviews more positively.

For outright refurbished phone purchases, Grade Mobile is a solid choice with competitive pricing and rigorous quality control. The lease option makes it particularly attractive for customers who want a flagship phone without a large upfront cost.