Best Refurbished Samsung Phones to Buy in the UK in 2026: Flagship and Value Picks

Choosing the Right Refurbished Samsung Galaxy

Samsung's refurbished range spans nearly a decade of hardware, from the S10 through to the S25, plus a full A-series line-up built for tighter budgets. That range is useful, but it also means "which refurbished Samsung should I buy?" doesn't have one answer — it depends on budget, how much camera you need, and whether an S Pen or a 5x zoom lens actually matters to your day-to-day use. This guide works through five real, currently in-stock models across three price tiers — budget A-series, mid-range S-series, and flagship Ultra — with links to live UK prices for each, so you can see exactly what your money buys before you commit. Jump to the comparison table if you want the short version, or read on for the full breakdown of the Galaxy S24 Ultra and Galaxy S22 Ultra against three other models we stock.

Quick Verdict: If You Only Read One Section

Short of time? Here's the summary.

• Best overall / best flagship: Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra — titanium build, 200MP camera, built-in S Pen.
• Best value flagship: Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra — the first S Pen Ultra, and the value route into Ultra-tier features.
• Best budget pick: Samsung Galaxy A16 5G — 5G connectivity and a 6.7" Super AMOLED screen on a tight budget.

If none of those quite fit, the Galaxy S23 and Galaxy A56 5G below fill the gap between them.

Best Flagship: Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra

The Galaxy S24 Ultra is Samsung's 2024 flagship and the newest phone in this line-up. It's built around a titanium frame and a 6.8" QHD+ Dynamic AMOLED 2X display running at up to 120Hz, protected by Corning Gorilla Armor glass — Samsung's own spec sheet lists 2600 nits peak brightness, which is genuinely useful for reading the screen in bright UK daylight. It runs on the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 for Galaxy chipset, and the rear camera system pairs a 200MP main sensor with a 50MP 5x periscope telephoto, a 10MP 3x telephoto and a 12MP ultra-wide — Samsung's most capable camera array before the S25 series. A built-in S Pen slots into the chassis, and the 5,000mAh battery supports 45W wired charging.

The Tech Gadgets sells the S24 Ultra fully refurbished and unlocked, professionally graded and functionally tested before dispatch, at a price considerably below its original launch price. If you want the newest hardware in Samsung's refurbished range and don't want to wait for S25 Ultra prices to fall further, this is the model to look at. Read our full Galaxy S24 series buying guide for a breakdown against the S24 and S24+.

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The S24 Ultra is the phone to choose if you photograph a lot, use the S Pen for notes, or simply want the newest available hardware in our refurbished range — everyone else has a genuinely competitive alternative below.

Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra Unlocked Refurbished UK

Current price: see today's price on the product page — varies by storage and condition grade
Condition: Like New, Excellent, Very Good, Fair
Storage: 256GB, 512GB, 1TB
Warranty: 12 months (manufacturing defects & functional faults; excludes battery, physical & water damage)
Returns: 30 days from delivery

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Best Value Flagship: Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra

The Galaxy S22 Ultra was the phone that first brought the S Pen into Samsung's Ultra line, and it's aged into the most affordable way onto that platform. It shares the S24 Ultra's 6.8" Dynamic AMOLED 2X display at 120Hz and its 5,000mAh battery with 45W charging, and runs on a Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 or Exynos 2200 chipset depending on manufacturing region. The camera system is a 108MP main sensor alongside a 12MP ultra-wide, a 10MP 3x telephoto and a 10MP 10x periscope telephoto, with a 40MP front camera — one of the highest-resolution selfie cameras Samsung has shipped on any phone.

What stands out is the value. Our Galaxy S22 Ultra is priced well below its original launch price, despite being a proper Ultra-tier flagship with a 10x periscope zoom and a built-in S Pen. If a stylus and long zoom range matter to you but the S24 Ultra is more than you want to spend, this is genuinely the better-value route into that feature set. See our Galaxy S22 series buying guide for the full range comparison, or the Galaxy S20 series guide if you want to go even further back for an even lower entry price.

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Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra Unlocked Refurbished UK

Current price: see today's price on the product page — varies by storage and condition grade
Condition: Like New, Excellent, Very Good, Fair
Storage: 128GB, 256GB, 512GB, 1TB
Warranty: 12 months (manufacturing defects & functional faults; excludes battery, physical & water damage)
Returns: 30 days from delivery

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Best Budget Pick: Samsung Galaxy A16 5G

The Galaxy A16 5G is the most affordable Samsung phone we currently stock, and the one to consider if your priority is simply a reliable, modern Android phone at the lowest possible price. Samsung specifies a 6.7" Super AMOLED display at 90Hz — a genuinely good screen for the price point — running on a MediaTek Dimensity or Exynos 1330 chipset with 5G support. The triple rear camera pairs a 50MP main sensor with a 5MP ultra-wide and a 2MP macro lens, and the 5,000mAh battery matches the capacity found in Samsung's flagship phones, just charging more slowly at 25W.

Refurbished A16 5G units are priced for tight budgets — check today's price on the product page. It won't match a flagship for camera zoom or raw processing speed, but for calls, messaging, social media and everyday browsing on a modern 5G-ready Samsung, it's hard to beat on price. Our Galaxy A series buying guide covers how the A16 compares with the A17, A26, A36 and A56 in more depth.

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Best Near-Flagship on a Budget: Samsung Galaxy A56 5G

Sitting above the A16 in Samsung's A-series, the Galaxy A56 5G is the closest thing to a flagship experience in the budget tier. It uses a 6.7" Super AMOLED display at 120Hz (a notably smoother panel than the A16's 90Hz), an Exynos 1580 chipset, and a stronger triple camera — a 50MP main sensor with optical image stabilisation, a 12MP ultra-wide and a 5MP macro. It also carries an IP67 rating and 45W charging, both steps up from the A16.

It's worth comparing today's price on the A56 5G and our Galaxy S22 Ultra before you decide between the two. If a smoother 120Hz screen and a better camera matter more to you than S Pen support and a periscope zoom, the A56 is the better fit; if you want the S Pen and longer zoom, the S22 Ultra is the one to pick. Full detail is in our Galaxy A series buying guide, including our dedicated Galaxy A26 5G price, storage & colour guide if the mid-tier A26 is more your budget than the A56.

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Best Mid-Range: Samsung Galaxy S23

The standard Galaxy S23 is the compact model in Samsung's 2023 flagship line — smaller and lighter than the S23+ or S23 Ultra, but running the same Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 for Galaxy chipset used across the whole S23 family, so day-to-day speed isn't compromised for the smaller size. Samsung specifies a 6.1" Dynamic AMOLED 2X display at up to 120Hz, a 50MP main camera with OIS, a 10MP 3x telephoto and a 12MP ultra-wide, and a 3,900mAh battery with 25W wired charging.

Refurbished S23 units are available across several condition grades — check today's price on the product page. It sits in an odd but useful spot in our range: newer silicon than the S22 Ultra, in a genuinely one-handed size, without the bulk or price of an Ultra model. If you've found the S22 Ultra or S24 Ultra too large to use comfortably, or you don't need a periscope zoom or S Pen, the S23 is worth comparing before you commit to an Ultra. Our Galaxy S23 series guide covers the full S23, S23+ and S23 Ultra line-up if you want to compare sizes directly.

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Samsung Refurbished Range Compared

Every figure below comes from Samsung's own published specifications — nothing here is estimated.

All five are sold unlocked with a 12-month warranty and 30-day returns; storage, colour and grade selection changes the exact price shown at checkout.

How to Choose Between Samsung Generations

Samsung's numbering makes generation-hopping straightforward once you know what changes each year: chipset speed, camera resolution and — every couple of years — the screen technology. Practically, that means an older Ultra (like the S22 Ultra) can comfortably outperform a newer non-Ultra phone (like the base S23) on camera versatility and S Pen support. If raw year-on-year newness matters to you, prioritise the S24 Ultra or check our Galaxy S25 series guide. If price-to-feature ratio matters more, an older Ultra usually wins.

For a cheaper starting point still, the Galaxy S20 series and Galaxy S10 series guides cover our oldest refurbished stock — useful if your budget is tight but you'd still rather have S-series hardware than A-series.

What Condition Grading Means

Every phone in this guide is sold in one of several condition grades, generally Like New, Excellent, Very Good, and Fair as the entry tier. All grades are functionally tested before dispatch; the difference between them is cosmetic condition, not whether the phone works. Like New units show minimal to no visible wear; lower grades may show light scratches or marks consistent with previous use. If cosmetic condition matters to you specifically, it's worth checking the product photos for your selected grade before ordering, or contacting The Tech Gadgets directly.

Warranty and Returns

Every refurbished Samsung phone sold by The Tech Gadgets carries a 12-month warranty covering manufacturing defects and functional faults. This warranty excludes battery wear, physical damage and water damage — battery capacity naturally reduces with use on any secondhand device, so this exclusion is standard across the refurbished market, not specific to this store. You also have 30 days from delivery to return your phone; contact The Tech Gadgets before sending anything back.

Unlocked and Network Compatibility

All five phones in this guide are sold unlocked and SIM-free, and should accept a SIM from EE, O2, Vodafone, Three, or any UK MVNO built on their networks, subject to normal compatibility. This also means you can bring an existing SIM straight over when your new phone arrives, without contacting your network first — though it's always worth confirming your specific tariff supports SIM swaps before you do.

Who Should Buy Which Tier

• Photography-focused buyers: the Galaxy S24 Ultra's 200MP main sensor and 5x periscope give the most detail and reach; the Galaxy S22 Ultra's 10x periscope zoom is unmatched at its price point in this range.
• Performance-focused buyers: the S24 Ultra's Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 is the fastest chipset here, with the S23's Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 close behind in a smaller phone.
• Budget-conscious buyers: the Galaxy A16 5G is the lowest entry price for a modern 5G Samsung; the Galaxy S22 Ultra is the better spend if you can stretch your budget further and want flagship features.
• Longevity-focused buyers: newer chipsets and software generally mean longer useful life before updates stop — the S24 Ultra and A56 5G are the newest phones here.
• Everyday, low-fuss use: the Galaxy A56 5G balances a smooth 120Hz screen and solid camera without S-series pricing.
• Premium buyers who don't need the biggest phone: the Galaxy S23 delivers flagship-class performance in a genuinely compact, one-handed body.

Buying Checklist

• Decide your budget tier first — A-series, mid-range S-series, or Ultra flagship — then pick the model within it.
• Check which condition grade (Like New, Excellent, Very Good, Fair) is in stock at your storage size before ordering.
• Confirm the storage tier suits your photo, video and app usage — higher-resolution cameras like the S24 Ultra's 200MP sensor fill storage faster.
• Check the phone is listed as unlocked (all five in this guide are) before assuming network compatibility.
• Note that battery wear, physical damage and water damage sit outside the 12-month warranty on every refurbished unit.
• Keep the 30-day return window in mind and contact The Tech Gadgets before returning anything.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best refurbished Samsung phone to buy in the UK right now?

It depends on budget. For the newest hardware and best camera, the Galaxy S24 Ultra is our top pick. For the best value flagship experience, the Galaxy S22 Ultra is the one to look at. For the tightest budget, the Galaxy A16 5G is our pick. Check today's price for each in the comparison table above.

Is a refurbished Samsung Galaxy Ultra worth buying over a new mid-range phone?

Often, yes. Our refurbished Galaxy S22 Ultra can cost less than a brand new mid-range phone from most manufacturers, while offering a 108MP camera, 10x periscope zoom and built-in S Pen, features that don't typically appear until much higher price points on new hardware.

What's the difference between the Galaxy S22 Ultra and Galaxy S24 Ultra?

The S24 Ultra has a newer Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 chipset, a higher-resolution 200MP main camera versus the S22 Ultra's 108MP, a titanium frame instead of Armor Aluminium, and Samsung's Galaxy AI features. The S22 Ultra keeps the S Pen, a 10x periscope zoom, and the same 5,000mAh battery capacity.

Are refurbished Samsung phones from The Tech Gadgets unlocked?

Yes. Every Samsung phone in this guide, and across The Tech Gadgets' catalogue, is sold unlocked and SIM-free, compatible with EE, O2, Vodafone, Three and other UK or international networks, subject to normal compatibility.

What warranty comes with a refurbished Samsung Galaxy phone?

Every unit carries a 12-month warranty covering manufacturing defects and functional faults. This excludes battery wear, physical damage and water damage. You also have 30 days from delivery to return the phone if it isn't right for you.

Is the Galaxy A16 5G or A56 5G the better budget buy?

The A16 5G is the cheaper option and covers calls, messaging and browsing comfortably. The A56 5G adds a smoother 120Hz display, a stronger camera with optical image stabilisation and faster 45W charging — worth the difference if your budget stretches that far.

Should I buy the Galaxy S23 or the Galaxy S22 Ultra?

The S23 has a newer chipset and a smaller, lighter body. The S22 Ultra adds a built-in S Pen, a 10x periscope zoom and a larger 6.8" display. Choose the S23 for size and newer silicon, the S22 Ultra for camera reach and stylus support.

What condition grade should I choose on a refurbished Samsung phone?

Like New offers the closest-to-new cosmetic condition; Excellent and Very Good show progressively more light wear; Fair (the lowest tier) offers the lowest price with visible cosmetic wear. All grades are functionally tested regardless of cosmetic condition.

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