The purchase price on a refurbished flagship is only part of the real cost of owning one. What happens if the screen cracks eighteen months in, or the battery starts fading faster than you'd like? This guide looks honestly at what The Tech Gadgets' 12-month warranty actually covers on the Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra, the Galaxy S22 Ultra and the Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max — and, just as importantly, what it doesn't cover, and roughly what you'd be looking at if you ever need a screen or battery replaced outside that cover. Repair pricing sits with independent UK repair specialists and the manufacturers themselves, not with The Tech Gadgets, so every figure below is sourced and linked rather than invented — treat them as a planning guide, not a quote.
See it in action: the Galaxy S24 Ultra, refurbished, 12-month warranty included — check today's price on the product page.
The iPhone 16 Pro Max, refurbished, 12-month warranty included — check today's price on the product page.
Quick Verdict
All three phones carry the same protection from The Tech Gadgets: a 12-month warranty against manufacturing defects and functional faults, excluding battery, physical and water damage, plus 30 days to return the phone if it isn't right. That warranty structure is identical across all three, so it doesn't change the comparison between them — what does change the real cost of ownership is repair pricing once you're outside that cover, and that's where the S Pen-equipped Ultra models and the titanium-framed iPhone diverge. In short: expect broadly similar total cost of ownership across all three once you factor in a case and screen protector from day one, since none of the three warranties cover accidental damage.
What the 12-Month Warranty Actually Covers — and Doesn't
On all three phones, The Tech Gadgets' warranty covers manufacturing defects and functional faults: problems that exist because of how the phone was built or refurbished, not problems caused by how you use it afterwards. It explicitly excludes battery wear, physical damage (cracked screens, dents, drops) and water damage. That's a meaningful distinction to understand before you buy: a phone that develops a genuine fault — a component failing, a button sticking, a charging port not working — is covered. A phone with a screen you crack yourself, or a battery that's simply degraded from age and use, is not. On top of the warranty, you have 30 days from delivery to return the phone if something's wrong or it isn't as described.
Screen Repair Costs: What to Expect
Screen repair is the single biggest accidental-damage cost on any of these three phones, and pricing varies a lot depending on whether you go through the manufacturer or an independent specialist.
For the iPhone 16 Pro Max, Apple's own published out-of-warranty screen replacement fee has been reported at around £389 including parts and labour, while independent UK repair shops such as PhoneRepair.co.uk quote significantly lower rates, from roughly £130–£170 for a standard or premium aftermarket screen. The trade-off is genuine: Apple's price includes an original-spec display and official calibration; independent screens are cheaper but quality varies by provider.
For the Galaxy S24 Ultra and S22 Ultra, Samsung doesn't publish a single fixed UK price list in the way Apple does — official pricing is generated per-device through Samsung's own repair booking. Independent UK specialists such as Celltech Mobile Repairs quote roughly £200–£235 for an Ultra-model screen at the time of writing, and note that Ultra screens typically cost 40–60% more than the standard S-series equivalent — because the Ultra's screen has an extra digitiser layer built in to support the S Pen. That's a genuine, structural reason Ultra repairs cost more, not just a premium-branding markup.
These figures move over time and vary by provider, so treat them as a planning range rather than a quote — always get a live price from Apple, Samsung, or your chosen independent repairer before booking.
Battery Replacement Costs: What to Expect
Battery wear is universal — every lithium-ion battery degrades with charge cycles, and it's excluded from the warranty on all three phones regardless of manufacturer.
Apple's out-of-warranty battery replacement pricing for current iPhone models has generally sat in the £69–£99 range, with independent UK shops typically undercutting that by £20–£40. For the Galaxy S24 Ultra and S22 Ultra, independent UK specialists commonly quote in the region of £50–£60 for an S-series battery swap, generally cheaper than an equivalent iPhone battery replacement. None of these figures are quoted by The Tech Gadgets directly — they're third-party market rates included here so you can budget realistically, not commitments from us or the manufacturers.
Can You Add AppleCare+ or Samsung Care+ to a Refurbished Phone?
This is worth knowing before you buy, because the honest answer disappoints a lot of people: in most cases, no. AppleCare+ enrolment is normally tied to a 60-day window from the phone's original activation date — not from when you buy it secondhand — and Apple generally only extends fresh eligibility to devices bought through its own Apple Certified Refurbished store, not third-party refurbishers. Samsung Care+ works similarly: eligibility is generally tied to a short window after the device's original activation (commonly within its first few months), not the date you personally bought the phone. In practice, that means a refurbished S24 Ultra, S22 Ultra or iPhone 16 Pro Max bought from The Tech Gadgets is unlikely to qualify for either manufacturer's extended care plan, since the eligibility clock started when the phone was first activated, long before it reached you. It's always worth checking directly with Apple or Samsung using your specific device's IMEI/serial number, since eligibility rules do shift — but budget on the assumption that manufacturer extended cover won't be available, and look at third-party gadget insurance instead if you want protection beyond the 12-month warranty.
Why Ultra and Pro Max Models Cost More to Repair
There are real, structural reasons the higher-tier models in this comparison cost more to fix than a mid-range phone, beyond simply being more expensive to begin with. The Galaxy Ultra models' screens carry an embedded digitiser layer to support the S Pen, which is a genuinely more complex (and more expensive) component than a standard touchscreen. Both the S24 Ultra and the iPhone 16 Pro Max use titanium frames rather than aluminium, which Apple and Samsung both market as tougher against bending and scratching — but titanium is also a harder, more specialised material to work with during a repair, which independent shops generally reflect in labour pricing versus an aluminium-framed phone. None of this is a reason to avoid these models; it's simply the trade-off for premium materials and Ultra-tier features, and worth budgeting for with a case from day one.
Does Condition Grade Affect Future Repair Risk?
It's a reasonable question: does buying "Fair" instead of "Like New" mean you're more likely to need a repair sooner? Not necessarily. Condition grading at The Tech Gadgets refers to cosmetic wear, not functionality — every grade is fully function-tested before dispatch, and the same 12-month warranty applies regardless of grade. A Fair-grade phone with visible scuffs isn't inherently more failure-prone than a Like New one; it simply looks more used. What condition grade doesn't tell you is remaining battery health, which isn't published per-unit on any of the three listings — if battery life is a top priority, ask The Tech Gadgets to confirm what they can about a specific unit before you order, regardless of which condition grade you're considering.
Total Cost of Ownership: Indicative Comparison
| Factor | iPhone 16 Pro Max | Galaxy S24 Ultra / S22 Ultra |
|---|---|---|
| Warranty (The Tech Gadgets) | 12 months, excludes battery/physical/water damage | 12 months, excludes battery/physical/water damage |
| Returns | 30 days from delivery | 30 days from delivery |
| Manufacturer screen repair (indicative, official) | ~£389 (Apple, reported) | Priced per-device via Samsung's own booking tool |
| Independent screen repair (indicative) | ~£130–£170 | ~£200–£235 (Ultra premium vs standard S-series) |
| Battery replacement (indicative) | ~£69–£99 (Apple), less independently | ~£50–£60 independently |
| Manufacturer extended care (AppleCare+/Samsung Care+) | Unlikely to be available on a refurbished third-party unit | Unlikely to be available on a refurbished third-party unit |
| Why repairs cost more here than a mid-range phone | Titanium frame, complex OLED assembly | S Pen digitiser layer (Ultra), titanium frame (S24 Ultra) |
All repair figures above are third-party market rates at the time of writing, not prices set or guaranteed by The Tech Gadgets — always get a current quote before assuming a number.
How to Protect Your Investment
- Buy a case and screen protector on day one — none of the three warranties cover accidental drops or cracked screens, and this is the single cheapest way to avoid the biggest repair cost on this page.
- Consider third-party gadget insurance if manufacturer extended care isn't available on your refurbished unit — compare it against the likely repair costs above to see if it's worth it for your usage.
- Avoid extreme temperature exposure and full submersion regardless of the IP68 rating — that rating is the manufacturer's original new-device spec and hasn't been independently re-verified on any refurbished unit sold here.
- If battery longevity matters most to you, ask The Tech Gadgets to confirm what they can about the specific unit's battery health before ordering — it isn't published per-listing on any of the three products.
- Keep proof of purchase from The Tech Gadgets — you'll need it for warranty claims and it may also help if you ever want to check manufacturer repair or care-plan eligibility directly with Apple or Samsung.
Buying Checklist
- Understand that the 12-month warranty covers manufacturing defects and functional faults only — not battery wear, drops or water damage — before you rely on it for accidental damage.
- Budget for a case and screen protector as part of your total purchase cost, not an optional extra.
- Don't assume AppleCare+ or Samsung Care+ can be added after buying a refurbished phone from a third-party retailer — check directly with Apple or Samsung using the device's IMEI/serial number before assuming either is available.
- Get a live repair quote from your preferred manufacturer or independent specialist before budgeting a specific figure — the ranges in this guide are indicative, not fixed prices.
- Ask The Tech Gadgets about battery health on your specific unit before ordering if that's a priority — condition grade (Like New, Excellent, Very Good, Fair) reflects cosmetic wear, not battery life.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does the 12-month warranty cover a cracked screen?
No. Physical damage, including cracked screens, is explicitly excluded from The Tech Gadgets' 12-month warranty on all three phones, along with battery wear and water damage. The warranty covers manufacturing defects and functional faults only.
How much does it cost to replace an iPhone 16 Pro Max screen in the UK?
Apple's own out-of-warranty fee has been reported at around £389; independent UK repair specialists typically quote lower, from roughly £130–£170 depending on the parts and provider. Always get a current quote before booking, as pricing changes.
How much does it cost to replace a Galaxy S24 Ultra or S22 Ultra screen in the UK?
Samsung prices repairs per-device through its own booking tool rather than a fixed public list. Independent UK specialists commonly quote around £200–£235 for an Ultra-model screen, typically 40–60% more than a standard (non-Ultra) Galaxy S-series screen because of the S Pen digitiser layer built into the display.
Can I add AppleCare+ to a refurbished iPhone 16 Pro Max bought from The Tech Gadgets?
Almost certainly not through the standard route. AppleCare+ enrolment is generally tied to a 60-day window from the phone's original activation date, not your purchase date, and Apple typically only offers fresh eligibility on devices bought through its own Apple Certified Refurbished programme. Check directly with Apple using the phone's serial number to be certain.
Can I add Samsung Care+ to a refurbished Galaxy S24 Ultra or S22 Ultra?
Unlikely for the same reason as AppleCare+ — Samsung Care+ eligibility is generally tied to a short window after the device's original activation date, not when you bought it secondhand. Confirm directly with Samsung using the device's IMEI if you want a definitive answer.
Is battery health confirmed before I buy?
No. None of the three listings publish a battery health percentage. If this matters to your decision, contact The Tech Gadgets before ordering and ask them to confirm what they can about the specific unit.
Does the condition grade (Like New, Excellent, Very Good, Fair) affect how likely the phone is to need a repair?
Not directly. Condition grading reflects cosmetic wear, and every unit is functionally tested before dispatch regardless of grade, with the same 12-month warranty applying across all four grades. A lower cosmetic grade doesn't indicate a higher functional failure risk.
Which of the three phones is cheapest to keep running long-term?
Based on the indicative third-party repair rates in this guide, the standard (non-Ultra) battery and screen repair costs for Samsung's S-series tend to run lower than Apple's official iPhone pricing, and Ultra-model Samsung repairs sit roughly in between the two. But the gap is narrow enough, and repair pricing changes often enough, that it shouldn't be the deciding factor between these three phones on its own — ecosystem and features matter more for most buyers.
Related Content
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- Is a Refurbished Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra Worth Buying in 2026?
- Is the Refurbished Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra Still Worth Buying in 2026?
- Where to Buy an iPhone 16 Pro Max 256GB in the UK: 2026 Buyer's Guide
Before you buy, check our warranty policy and refund policy for the exact terms that apply to your order, or get in touch via our contact page with any questions about a specific unit's condition or battery health.