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This is the only refurbished Samsung phone I’d buy in 2026
One specific model is the best bang for buck.
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Robert Triggs / Android Authority
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Samsung’s Certified Re-Newed program has finally arrived on Amazon, bringing in 14 refurbished Galaxy phones across two generations. The list starts at $489 for the Galaxy S24 FE (128GB) and goes as high as $1,029 for the Galaxy S25 Ultra (512GB). This gives Amazon customers a wide range of older flagships to choose from.
These aren’t just any kind of refurbished phones, either. Samsung uses its own 147-point quality test to ensure everything works like new before labeling them as Certified Re-Newed. It’s not just a battery replacement; Samsung adds a one-year warranty and even slaps on a new IMEI number. In other words, it’s cheaper than buying a brand-new flagship, yet safer than settling for a second-hand phone.
Buying a refurbished flagship isn’t about choosing the newest or absolute cheapest, however. The 14 Galaxy phones currently listed on Amazon each have their own pros and cons. After going through the list, I found one model that hits the sweet spot in terms of price, features, and software support.
How likely are you to buy a refurbished phone?
This is the phone I’d buy
Robert Triggs / Android Authority
Of the 14 Certified Re-Newed models to choose from, the $549 Galaxy S24 (256GB) is the only one I would seriously consider. The Galaxy S24 was released in January 2024 as the base model of Samsung’s flagship series. The 256GB variant originally retailed at $859, making the refurbished model $310 cheaper for the exact same specifications and features. In our initial review of the Galaxy S24, we highlighted its strong battery life, solid overall performance, and premium build quality.
The Galaxy S24 is sandwiched between other tempting offers on this list. The first is the Galaxy S24 FE, which has the most affordable 256GB storage at $519. For just $30 more, the Galaxy S24 (256GB) delivers noticeably faster performance with a Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 over the Galaxy S24 FE’s Exynos 2400e. The Galaxy S24 is also equipped with better LTPO display technology, wireless Samsung Dex, and an ultrasonic fingerprint sensor. The Galaxy S24 FE comes with a larger display (6.7 inches versus 6.2 inches) and a bigger battery (4,700mAh versus 4,000mAh), though, if that matters more to you.
I consider the upgrades too minor to spend $80 more.
Conversely, the Galaxy S24 undercuts the $629 Galaxy S25 (256GB). Although the Galaxy S25 has a newer chipset in the Snapdragon 8 Elite and a more refined physical design, spending the extra $80 is difficult to justify when comparing two refurbished flagships. On one hand, the Galaxy S25 has an additional year of software support; on the other, everything else about the Galaxy S25 is nearly identical to the Galaxy S24, from the display tech and camera setup, to the battery capacity and charging speed. I consider the upgrades too minor to spend $80 more.
Choosing between 128GB and 256GB
While the $519 Galaxy S24 (128GB) is the more money-saving choice over its 256GB counterpart, I would argue that spending the extra cash goes a long way. You get literally double the storage for only $30 more. Considering how expensive it is to buy additional storage, whether it’s physical hardware or on the cloud, I would take the added 128GB in a heartbeat, considering how little it costs in this case.
You also have to factor in the Galaxy S24’s seven-year software support. Having 256GB of storage would carry the Galaxy S24 well into 2031 when its Android updates end. Utilizing 128GB may seem like enough for now, but apps are getting larger, and it may be difficult to hold hundreds, if not thousands, of media files without deleting anything several years down the road.
You get literally double the storage for only $30 more.
Another factor to think about: The 128GB variant of the Galaxy S24 uses slower UFS 3.1 storage. In comparison, the 256GB model uses the newer UFS 4.0 standard, which delivers around double the data transfer speed of its predecessor. Again, the performance gain may seem negligible at first, but once you transfer large media files or install big apps, the difference in speed is noticeable. UFS 4.0 is also more energy-efficient, which would help prolong battery life.
Samsung Certified Re-Newed offers great value
Galaxy phones under Samsung’s Certified Re-Newed program receive a one-year warranty, genuine part replacement, and a new IMEI, on top of the fresh battery. Regular refurbished phones from third-party suppliers normally only get a battery replacement and minor cosmetic fixes. Of course, Samsung’s own refurbished phones come in a new box with a charging cable, SIM ejector tool, and user manual. Galaxy phones under this program are also sold unlocked and are eligible for Samsung Care+.
Aside from Samsung’s Certified Re-Newed phones having great value compared to brand-new flagships, they also hold up well against modern-day mid-range phones. For example, the Google Pixel 10a retails at $699 for its 256GB variant, and the Galaxy A57 (256GB) costs only a little less at $679. Samsung’s refurbished Galaxy S24 has better raw performance than either of these mid-range phones for only $549 on Amazon. The Galaxy S24 also has a telephoto camera and premium build quality that the Pixel 10a and Galaxy A57 can’t match.
With flagship prices going up each year and second-hand phones lacking quality assurance, purchasing a refurbished device makes more sense today than it ever has before. Samsung’s Certified Re-Newed program isn’t a new concept, but its products should garner stronger consideration now, especially when they’re so easy to purchase on Amazon.
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