Refurbished Samsung prices move fast, and our last check found some listings months out of date. This guide uses live pricing pulled directly from our comparison data, so every figure below reflects what's actually available right now - not what a phone cost back in the spring.
Right now, the range runs from £49.95 for a Galaxy A21s in Good condition up to £249.95 for a Galaxy S22 Ultra or S23+ - the full spread of what's available under £250 today, verified against 22 real, currently-listed devices.
One honest note before the list: this comparison currently draws from two recyclers - UR and Grademobile - not GadgetRank's full 30+ network on the Sell side. We're actively expanding refurbished coverage, but for now, treat these as verified real prices from two established sellers, not a complete market sweep.
All prices below are for Good condition (visible wear, fully functional) - the third of four grades, sitting between Excellent and Fair. Several devices are also available in higher grades at a modest premium, noted where relevant.
How much do you actually save buying refurbished?
It's worth putting these numbers in context. The Galaxy S22 launched in February 2022 at £769 for the base 128GB model. Today, refurbished in Good condition, it's £139 - a genuine 82% saving, three and a half years on. That's not an isolated case: the S21 Ultra launched at over £1,100 and now sits at £179, an 84% drop.
This is the real logic of buying refurbished at this budget tier: you're not compromising on a "cheap phone" so much as buying yesterday's flagship at today's mid-range price. A Galaxy S21 for £119.95 outperforms most brand-new phones at that exact price point on camera hardware, display quality, and build.
Under £100
- Galaxy A21s - £49.95, 32GB
- Galaxy A13 - £54.95, 32GB
- Galaxy A12 - £54.95, 32GB
- Galaxy A14 - £64.95, 64GB
- Galaxy A71 - £79.95, 128GB
- Galaxy A32 - £79.95, 64GB
- Galaxy A52s - £89.95, 128GB
- Galaxy A52 - £89.95, 128GB
At this end, you're mostly choosing within Samsung's A-series budget line - solid daily phones, but don't expect flagship cameras or processors. The A52s and A52 are the standouts: both launched as genuinely capable mid-rangers with OIS-stabilised cameras and 120Hz displays, and at under £90 in Good condition, that's real value for what you get.
£100 - £150
- Galaxy A53 - £99.95, 128GB
- Galaxy A33 - £99.95, 128GB
- Galaxy A51 - £99.95, 128GB
- Galaxy A34 - £109.95, 128GB
- Galaxy S21 FE - £114.95, 128GB
- Galaxy S21 - £119.95, 128GB
- Galaxy S21+ - £129.00, 128GB
- Galaxy S22 - £139.00, 128GB
This is genuinely the sweet spot of this list. The Galaxy S21 at £119.95 gives you a proper 2021 flagship - Snapdragon 888 or Exynos 2100 depending on region, a triple camera system, AMOLED display - for barely more than a mid-range A-series phone. Step up to £139 for the S22, and you get Samsung's first Gorilla Glass Victus+ protection and a slightly newer camera sensor, though the core experience is close enough that the S21 remains the better value pick for most buyers.
£150 - £200
- Galaxy S23 FE - £159.95, 128GB
- Galaxy S21 Ultra - £179.00, 128GB
- Galaxy S23 - £184.95, 128GB
- Galaxy S22+ - £189.00, 128GB
The Galaxy S21 Ultra at £179 deserves specific attention - it launched as Samsung's top-tier flagship in early 2021 with a 108MP camera, S Pen support, and a 5000mAh battery, and at this price it genuinely undercuts the standard S23 while offering a more premium spec sheet from just two generations back. If you want the Ultra experience without the Ultra price, this is the pick. The S23 itself brings a real generational jump worth knowing about: Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 (versus the S22's Gen 1), Gorilla Glass Victus 2, and a larger 3,900mAh battery with faster 25W charging.
£200 - £250
- Galaxy S23+ - £249.95, 256GB
- Galaxy S22 Ultra - £249.95, 128GB
At the top of this budget, you're choosing between a newer S23+ with double the storage (256GB vs 128GB), or the S22 Ultra's built-in S Pen and 108MP camera system with genuine telephoto zoom. Both are current-feeling flagships, not compromises - the real decision comes down to whether S Pen support or extra storage matters more for how you'll use the phone.
Which one should you actually buy?
Three practical filters, rather than one "best overall" pick:
Tightest budget, still need it to work well: the Galaxy A52s (£89.95) is the strongest all-rounder under £100 - OIS-stabilised camera, 120Hz display, and enough performance headroom for daily use without feeling dated.
Best value overall: the Galaxy S21 (£119.95) is genuinely hard to beat. You're getting a proper flagship camera system and premium build for barely more than a budget phone, and it comfortably outperforms anything new at this price point.
Camera and zoom matter most to you: the Galaxy S21 Ultra (£179) or Galaxy S22 Ultra (£249.95) both include genuine telephoto zoom and S Pen support - features that don't exist on Samsung's current budget or mid-range lines at any price. If photography is the priority, paying up for an older Ultra beats a newer standard model.
Battery life and screen size are the priority: the Galaxy S22+ (£189) and Galaxy S23+ (£249.95) both have larger displays and bigger batteries than their standard counterparts, without the Ultra's premium.
What to check before buying refurbished
A few practical things matter more than the headline price:
- Battery health. Ask (or check the listing) for battery health percentage where available - anything above 80% is considered healthy for a used device. A cheap phone with a degraded battery isn't actually cheap once you factor in a replacement.
- Storage capacity. Most listings here default to base storage (often 128GB). If you need more, check the device page for higher-storage variants before assuming the listed price is your only option.
- Network compatibility. Confirm the phone is unlocked (most refurbished listings are) rather than tied to a specific network, especially if you're switching providers.
- Warranty length. A 12-month warranty is standard across most reputable refurbishers and covers functional faults - worth confirming before you buy, not after.
What "Good" condition actually means
Recyclers grade refurbished phones on a scale - GadgetRank's Buy Refurbished pages use Premium, Excellent, Good, and Fair. "Good," the tier every price above reflects, means the phone shows visible wear (light scratches, minor marks) but is fully functional with no faults. It's not cosmetically pristine, but it works properly and hasn't been patched up after a fault. If a spotless screen matters more to you than saving a further 10-20%, most of these models are also listed in Excellent condition at a moderate premium - worth checking on the individual device page before you buy.
For a full breakdown of what each condition tier actually covers, see our condition guide. And if you're new to buying refurbished generally, how GadgetRank's comparison works explains the process end to end - how we pull live prices, how deep links work, and what to expect from checkout to delivery.
Frequently asked questions
Is a refurbished Samsung as reliable as a new one?
Reputable refurbishers test and repair devices before resale, and most include a 12-month warranty covering functional faults. The main tradeoff versus new isn't reliability - it's cosmetic condition, which is exactly what the grading tiers communicate honestly.
Should I buy Good or pay more for Excellent?
If the price difference is small (often £10-20), Excellent is usually worth it for the better cosmetic condition. If you're planning to use a case anyway, Good condition offers the better value, since the visible wear won't be seen day-to-day.
How much can I really save versus buying new?
Substantially, and the gap widens the older the model. A Galaxy S22 that launched at £769 is now £139 refurbished - an 82% saving. Even the newer S23, at £184.95 against its roughly £850 launch price, represents a genuine 78% discount.
Why are there only two retailers in this comparison?
GadgetRank's Buy Refurbished coverage is actively expanding. Right now, UR and Grademobile are the two verified retailers feeding this specific comparison - we'll broaden this as more partners come online.
Are these prices likely to change?
Yes - refurbished stock and pricing shift regularly based on availability. The prices above reflect our most recent verified data; always check the live price on the device page before buying, since stock-dependent pricing can move day to day.
Related guides: Best Refurbished iPhones to Buy, Best Refurbished Google Pixel Phones, Best Refurbished Phones Under £200, Cheap Unlocked Smartphones UK
Frequently asked questions
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