Device Condition & Grading Guide

At TechUp New Zealand, every product is carefully assessed and clearly described so you can understand its condition before placing your order.

Our grades primarily describe a device’s cosmetic appearance. Pre-owned, open-box and refurbished products must also pass the relevant functionality checks unless a specific issue is clearly disclosed in the individual product listing.

Phones and tablets are tested using Phonecheck, which performs more than 40 functional checks. A Phonecheck certificate is available on request. Laptops and other devices are assessed through TechUp’s standard testing and inspection process.

Factory-sealed products are not opened solely for testing unless this is clearly disclosed in the listing.

Brand New

A product listed as Brand New is unused and has not been sold as a pre-owned device.

Brand-new products will generally include:

• An unused device
• Original retail packaging
• Manufacturer-supplied accessories
• No signs of previous use

Where a product is specifically described as Brand New – Sealed, the original manufacturer or distributor seal will be intact.

Retail packaging may occasionally have minor marks from storage or transportation. Any significant packaging damage, missing accessories or other important information will be disclosed in the individual product listing.

Manufacturer warranty coverage may vary depending on the product, original market, activation status and manufacturer records. Unless otherwise stated, TechUp’s 12-month warranty applies from the TechUp invoice date.

Brand-new sealed products are not eligible for a change-of-mind return once the original seal has been opened. This does not affect your rights if the product is faulty, incorrectly described or otherwise fails to meet applicable New Zealand consumer guarantees.

Open Box

A product listed as Open Box has packaging that has previously been opened.

This may be because the product was:

• Opened for inspection or verification
• Briefly handled or displayed
• Activated without regular ongoing use
• Supplied with opened or damaged retail packaging
• Returned before being offered for resale

Open-box products are inspected and tested where appropriate before sale. They are expected to have minimal signs of handling, although faint cosmetic marks may occasionally be present.

Depending on the individual product, an open-box item may include:

• Original retail packaging
• Opened, marked or replacement packaging
• Original or compatible accessories
• A previously activated manufacturer warranty

The exact condition, packaging and included accessories will be stated in the individual product listing.

Any remaining manufacturer warranty depends on the manufacturer’s records and original activation date and is not guaranteed unless specifically stated. Unless otherwise stated, open-box products include TechUp’s 12-month warrantyfrom the invoice date.

Premium Pre-Owned

Our highest pre-owned cosmetic grade.

Premium pre-owned devices typically have:

• No visible signs of previous use under normal viewing
• No cracks, chips or dents
• A clean, near-new overall appearance
• A minimum of 90% battery health where battery capacity can be reliably measured
• Completed functionality and cosmetic testing

Premium is ideal for customers who want a pre-owned device with the closest possible appearance to a new product.

Excellent Pre-Owned

A high-quality balance between cosmetic condition and value.

Excellent pre-owned devices may have:

• Light signs of previous use
• Faint surface marks visible under close inspection
• No cracks or dents
• No deep scratches
• A minimum of 80% battery health where battery capacity can be reliably measured
• Completed functionality and cosmetic testing

Excellent is ideal for customers who want a well-presented device while benefiting from additional savings.

Good Pre-Owned

Reliable technology at a more affordable price.

Good pre-owned devices may have:

• Minor scratches, scuffs or cosmetic marks
• Small dings or signs of everyday use
• No cracks
• A minimum of 80% battery health where battery capacity can be reliably measured
• Completed functionality and cosmetic testing

Good is best suited to customers who prioritise functionality and value over a near-new cosmetic appearance.

Acceptable Pre-Owned

Our most affordable pre-owned grade.

Acceptable pre-owned devices may have:

• Noticeable scratches, scuffs or cosmetic wear
• Small dents, dings or marks on the housing
• More visible signs of previous use
• No cracks
• A minimum of 80% battery health where battery capacity can be reliably measured
• Completed functionality testing

Acceptable is ideal for customers who want the lowest available price and are comfortable with more noticeable cosmetic wear.

Refurbished Devices

A device listed as Refurbished has been professionally restored and tested for functionality.

The refurbishment process may include:

• Replacement of faulty, worn or damaged components
• Professional cleaning and restoration
• Functionality and cosmetic testing
• Replacement batteries where stated in the product listing
• Genuine or high-quality compatible replacement parts where required

The individual product listing will state the device’s cosmetic condition and any important refurbishment details.

Where a product is advertised with a New Battery, this will be clearly stated in the product title or description.

Battery health for refurbished devices will be stated in the individual product listing where applicable.

Battery Health

Battery health and expected battery runtime are not the same.

Battery health indicates the device’s estimated remaining battery capacity compared with when the battery was new. Actual runtime can vary depending on factors such as:

• Screen brightness
• Applications and background activity
• Mobile signal strength
• Connectivity settings
• Operating system and software
• Charging habits
• General usage patterns

For pre-owned products that can reliably report maximum battery capacity, our minimum standards are:

• Premium: Minimum 90%
• Excellent: Minimum 80%
• Good: Minimum 80%
• Acceptable: Minimum 80%

Some laptops, Android devices, smartwatches and other products may not provide a directly comparable battery-health percentage. Where relevant and available, battery information will be included in the product listing.

Open-box and refurbished products may have different battery standards depending on the product and its restoration history. Any specific battery guarantee will be stated in the individual listing.

How We Test Our Products

Phones and Tablets

Phones and tablets are tested using Phonecheck, which performs more than 40 functionality checks.

Testing may include:

• Display and touchscreen
• Cameras
• Speakers and microphones
• Charging
• Buttons and switches
• Wi-Fi and Bluetooth
• Mobile connectivity
• Sensors
• Device identification and status

A Phonecheck certificate is available on request.

Laptops and Other Devices

Laptops, smartwatches and other technology are assessed through TechUp’s standard testing and inspection process.

Checks vary by product type and may include:

• Display
• Keyboard and trackpad
• Ports and charging
• Speakers and microphones
• Cameras
• Wireless connectivity
• Storage and memory
• Operating system functionality
• General physical condition

What TechUp Products Include

Unless otherwise stated in the individual product listing, TechUp products include:

• Relevant functionality testing or inspection before dispatch
• Clear condition and grading information
• Details of included packaging and accessories
• A 30-day change-of-mind return option on eligible products
• A 12-month TechUp warranty
• Covered return shipping for approved warranty claims

Testing requirements vary between Brand New, Open Box, Pre-Owned and Refurbished products.

For approved warranty claims, TechUp will provide a prepaid tracked return label after completing initial troubleshooting or verification. If our assessment confirms a covered fault, TechUp will pay shipping both ways.

Important Information

Condition Grades Primarily Describe Appearance

Premium, Excellent, Good and Acceptable grades primarily describe cosmetic condition. They do not indicate a difference in the required functionality of the device.

A lower cosmetic grade does not mean the device is intentionally sold with reduced functionality unless a specific issue is clearly disclosed in the listing.

Individual Devices May Vary

Pre-owned devices are individually inspected and graded. The number, type and location of cosmetic marks may vary between products within the same condition grade.

For example, two Good-condition devices may have different scratches or small cosmetic marks while still meeting the same overall grading standard.

Product Listings Take Priority

The individual product listing will disclose any material product-specific information.

Where a product listing provides more specific details than this general guide, the information in the individual product listing applies.

Product Images

Stock or representative images may be used for some product listings.

These images illustrate the product model and colour but may not show the exact individual device supplied unless the listing specifically states that actual-device photographs are being used.

Packaging and Accessories

Original retail packaging and original manufacturer accessories are not guaranteed for Open Box, Pre-Owned or Refurbished products unless stated in the listing.

Compatible accessories may be supplied where specified.

Please review the What’s in the Box section of the individual product page before purchasing.

Water Resistance

Any manufacturer water-resistance rating applied when the device was new.

Water resistance cannot be guaranteed on a pre-owned, open-box or refurbished product and may reduce over time through normal use, component ageing or previous repair.

Customers should not intentionally expose a pre-owned or refurbished device to water or other liquids.

Battery Runtime

Battery runtime varies according to the device’s settings, applications, age, network conditions and usage.

A battery-health percentage is an estimate and does not guarantee a specific number of operating hours between charges.

Second-Hand Consumer Rights

Products purchased from a New Zealand business, including second-hand products, are covered by applicable Consumer Guarantees Act protections. Expectations for a second-hand product can take account of its age, price, disclosed condition and normal wear.

Nothing in this guide excludes, restricts or limits any rights or remedies available under the Consumer Guarantees Act 1993, the Fair Trading Act 1986 or other applicable New Zealand law.

Need Help Choosing a Condition?

Our support team can help you understand the differences between Brand New, Open Box, Premium, Excellent, Good, Acceptable and Refurbished products.

Email: support@techup.nz
Phone: 09 218 7841
Support hours: Monday to Friday, 9:00 AM–5:30 PM
Closed: Weekends and public holidays