They actually don’t care. The trade ins are handled by brightbox who give EE a fixed amount based on the model. This covers all conditions except broken, which is why all they ask you is if it works and is the screen cracked etc.
Essentially brightbox give you grade C price no matter what.
You can upgrade without trade in right from the outset too and pay a fee. I’ve never tried it that way though because the price EE give over the phone when you upgrade is always higher. I’ll give you last years example…
iPhone 14 pro max 512gb - had a case and screen protector so in A grade.
When I did the anytime upgrade EE said it would cost £740 if I didn’t trade in, or didn’t return the phone after 30 days from the pack arriving.
I got the pack and EE sent me a reminder SMS saying I would be charged £550.
i sold it to Music Magpie for £684
2 months later got billed £550.
same 2 years in a row (2 phones each year)
