Refurbished Samsung Galaxy S10 Series UK: Buy S10, S10+ & S10e

If you're looking at a refurbished Samsung Galaxy S10, S10+ or S10e in 2026, let's be straightforward about what you're buying: this is 2019 hardware, now six to seven years old, and it's the oldest Samsung phone family The Tech Gadgets sells. It is not a current flagship, it will not get any more Android updates, and it should not be your only or primary phone if you rely on a device for banking, work, or anything security-sensitive. What it is: a genuinely well-built, glass-and-metal Samsung phone — with a headphone jack, expandable storage, and IP68 water resistance, all things Samsung has since removed from its current line-up — available at a fraction of what a modern phone costs. Think of the S10 series as a budget, backup, or "get a reliable Android phone working today without spending much" purchase, not a phone you're future-proofing against. If that's the brief, this guide covers exactly what you're getting, what's changed since 2019, and which of the three models — S10, S10+, or S10e — fits your situation.

Shop Refurbished Galaxy S10 Series

Prices vary by storage and condition grade (Like New costs the most, then Excellent, then Very Good, and Fair is the cheapest) and can change — always confirm the live price and available grades on the product page before ordering.

Comparison: Galaxy S10 vs S10+ vs S10e

Buyer Match: Which Galaxy S10 Fits You?

• "I want the cheapest usable Samsung flagship, full stop." → Galaxy S10e. It's the entry point of the range and still gets you a genuine glass-and-metal Samsung phone with a headphone jack.
• "I want a phone that fits comfortably in one hand." → Galaxy S10e. Its 5.8" flat screen is noticeably more compact than the other two.
• "I want the best balance of screen size, camera and price." → Galaxy S10. The 6.1" curved display and triple-camera system with 2x optical zoom is the middle ground.
• "I want the biggest screen and the most storage headroom." → Galaxy S10+. Its 6.4" display and up to 1TB storage configurations were the range-topper in 2019.
• "I take a lot of selfies or video calls." → Galaxy S10+. It's the only model with a dual front camera for better depth-sensing portrait shots.
• "I want the longest battery life of the three." → Galaxy S10+, thanks to its larger 4100mAh cell.
• "I just need a reliable backup or second phone." → Any of the three — this is exactly the use case the whole range is best suited to at this age.

Which Should You Buy?

Treat this less as "which flagship should I buy" and more as "how much screen and camera do I need for a low-cost, no-frills Android phone?" If budget is the only factor, the S10e is the obvious pick. If you want a bit more screen and the sharper QHD+ resolution without stepping up to the largest size, the standard S10 costs a little more for a meaningfully bigger, curved display and a longer zoom camera. If you specifically want the largest screen, the most storage, or you video call a lot and want the dual front camera, the S10+ is still very affordable for what was Samsung's 2019 flagship. Whichever you choose, go in expecting a phone that's frozen in software time — no more Android updates — rather than a phone that's still growing.

Samsung Galaxy S10

The standard Galaxy S10 was the phone that introduced the punch-hole camera and in-display fingerprint sensor to the S-series, replacing the notch and rear-mounted scanner used before it. Samsung specifies a 6.1-inch curved Dynamic AMOLED display at QHD+ resolution, protected by Gorilla Glass with an aluminium frame sandwiching it. UK retail stock runs the Exynos 9820 chipset with 8GB RAM — the Snapdragon 855 variant was sold in the US and China, not the UK — paired with a triple rear camera: a 12MP wide lens, a 12MP telephoto lens with 2x optical zoom, and a 16MP ultra-wide lens, plus a single 10MP front camera. Samsung specifies a 3400mAh battery with 15W wired and wireless charging, and Wireless PowerShare to top up other Qi devices from the phone's own battery. It's rated IP68 for water and dust resistance, keeps its 3.5mm headphone jack, and supports microSD expansion alongside its 128GB (or 512GB, in some markets) of built-in storage. It's a 4G LTE-only device — the Galaxy S10 5G was a genuinely separate model with different internals, not a variant of this phone, and this listing is the standard 4G unit. The Tech Gadgets currently lists the Galaxy S10 across Prism White, Prism Black, Prism Green, Prism Blue and Flamingo Pink, each fully tested, unlocked and covered by a 12-month warranty.

Samsung Galaxy S10+

The Galaxy S10+ was 2019's range-topping Samsung flagship, and even six-plus years on it's still a genuinely large-screen, well-specced phone for the price. Samsung specifies a 6.4-inch curved Dynamic AMOLED display at QHD+ resolution — noticeably larger than the standard S10 — with the same in-display ultrasonic fingerprint sensor and glass-and-metal build. UK stock runs the Exynos 9820 chipset, with 8GB or 12GB RAM depending on the storage tier. The rear camera system matches the standard S10 (12MP wide + 12MP telephoto 2x + 16MP ultra-wide), but the S10+ is the only model in the range with a dual front camera — a 10MP RGB sensor paired with an 8MP depth sensor — for better background-blur selfies and video calls. Samsung specifies a larger 4100mAh battery with 15W wired/wireless charging and PowerShare, and the S10+ was sold in configurations up to 1TB of storage, plus microSD expansion on top of that. It's IP68 rated, keeps the headphone jack, and — like every phone in this range — is 4G LTE only, with no 5G or eSIM support. The Tech Gadgets currently lists the Galaxy S10+ in Prism White, Prism Black, Prism Green, Prism Blue, Ceramic White and Ceramic Black, fully tested, unlocked, with a 12-month warranty.

Samsung Galaxy S10e

The Galaxy S10e is the compact, value-oriented member of the family, and it's the one genuine practical trade-off in this line-up rather than just a smaller screen. Samsung specifies a 5.8-inch flat Dynamic AMOLED display at FHD+ resolution — unlike the curved screens on the S10 and S10+ — and, more importantly, it swaps the in-display fingerprint sensor for a side-mounted capacitive scanner built into the power button. That's a real usability difference: some buyers find a side sensor faster and more reliable day-to-day, others prefer the in-display sensor's placement — it's worth knowing before you buy rather than discovering it after. The camera system is also trimmed: a dual rear setup of 12MP wide and 16MP ultra-wide, dropping the telephoto lens found on the other two models, plus a single 10MP front camera. UK stock typically runs 6GB or 8GB RAM on the Exynos 9820 chipset. Samsung specifies a smaller 3100mAh battery with 15W wired/wireless charging and PowerShare, reflecting its smaller body. It's IP68 rated, keeps the headphone jack, and supports microSD expansion. The Tech Gadgets currently lists the Galaxy S10e in Prism White, Prism Black, Prism Green, Prism Blue, Canary Yellow and Flamingo Pink, fully tested, unlocked, with a 12-month warranty.

Galaxy S10 vs S10e: What Actually Changes?

The price gap between the S10 and S10e is small, but the practical differences are more than "one has a slightly bigger screen." The S10e's display is flat rather than curved, which some people actually prefer for accidental-touch avoidance and screen protector fitting. More significantly, the S10e uses a side-mounted fingerprint sensor in the power button rather than the S10's in-display ultrasonic sensor — this changes how you naturally pick up and unlock the phone, and it's a genuine ergonomic difference, not just a spec-sheet footnote. The S10e also drops the telephoto lens, so you lose 2x optical zoom, and its battery is meaningfully smaller (3100mAh vs 3400mAh). If none of that matters to you and the lower price is the deciding factor, the S10e is the better buy. If you want the bigger curved screen, the zoom lens, and an in-display sensor, the standard S10 is worth the extra.

Galaxy S10 vs S10+: What Actually Changes?

Here the difference is more straightforwardly about scale. The S10+ has a larger 6.4" display versus the S10's 6.1", a bigger 4100mAh battery versus 3400mAh, and storage configurations that go all the way up to 1TB versus the standard S10's 128GB (512GB in some markets). Both share the same curved QHD+ display type, in-display fingerprint sensor, and rear camera system. The one feature genuinely exclusive to the S10+ is its dual front camera with a depth sensor, useful if you take a lot of selfies or make a lot of video calls and want better subject-background separation. If screen size, battery life and storage headroom matter more to you than the extra cost, the S10+ is the sensible upgrade; if you want a slightly more pocketable phone for less, the standard S10 covers the same core experience.

Best Camera in the Range?

For photography, the Galaxy S10 and S10+ share the strongest rear camera system in the range — the same 12MP wide, 12MP telephoto (2x optical) and 16MP ultra-wide combination, which the S10e doesn't get (it drops the telephoto lens entirely). Between the S10 and S10+, rear photo quality is essentially identical since the hardware matches; the S10+ pulls ahead only for selfies and video calls thanks to its dual front camera with a dedicated depth sensor. If rear camera versatility — especially having a real zoom lens — matters most, avoid the S10e and go for the S10 or S10+. If front-camera quality for calls and selfies is the priority, the S10+ is the only one of the three with the dual setup.

Storage Size: How Much Do You Need?

All three models support microSD expansion, which takes some pressure off the built-in storage decision — but it's still worth thinking about, especially since none of these phones support cloud-native app data the way current phones increasingly assume.

Storage Match

• 128GB — fine for most users: apps, photos, messaging and moderate media use, especially if you're using this as a secondary or backup phone.
• 256GB (S10e) — worth it if you keep a large offline photo or music library and don't want to rely on microSD.
• 512GB (S10, S10+ where available) — for buyers who want generous headroom without touching microSD at all.
• 1TB (S10+ where available) — a genuinely huge amount even by 2026 flagship standards; only worth the premium if you have a specific reason to need it, such as large offline video files.

Check the product page for each model to see which storage tiers are currently in stock, as availability varies.

What Does Refurbished Mean?

Every Galaxy S10, S10+ and S10e sold by The Tech Gadgets is a genuine, previously-owned device that has been professionally tested, functionally verified and cosmetically graded before resale — never a new, sealed-box unit. Refurbished does not mean faulty or "used as-is": each phone is checked for functionality across its core hardware (screen, buttons, cameras, charging, connectivity) before it's listed for sale. It's a straightforward way to get a working Samsung flagship at a fraction of its original launch price, which matters even more on a six-to-seven-year-old device where the original £669–£999 launch pricing is long irrelevant.

Conditions Explained

The Tech Gadgets grades every phone into one of four cosmetic condition tiers: Like New, Excellent, Very Good, or Fair. These grades relate to cosmetic condition rather than functionality — every unit sold, regardless of grade, has been tested and confirmed to work. The precise criteria distinguishing each grade are not published on the product pages; if the exact cosmetic condition matters to your purchase, contact The Tech Gadgets before ordering for more detail on what a specific grade means for the unit in stock.

Are They Unlocked?

Yes — every Galaxy S10, S10+ and S10e sold by The Tech Gadgets is SIM-free and unlocked, meaning it isn't tied to any single network. That includes full compatibility with EE, O2, Vodafone, Three, and any UK MVNO built on their infrastructure (such as Giffgaff, Tesco Mobile, iD Mobile, Smarty and others). Simply insert a compatible nano-SIM and the phone will connect to your chosen network — there's no unlocking process required on your end.

What's Included?

Box contents are not confirmed on the product pages for the S10, S10+ or S10e — check with The Tech Gadgets directly before ordering if you need a charger, cable or original packaging included. What we can confirm from verified specifications: all three phones use a physical nano-SIM tray (none support eSIM — that arrived with the Galaxy S20 in 2020), and all three retain the 3.5mm headphone jack, so you won't need a USB-C-to-headphone dongle if you want wired audio, unlike Samsung's current range.

Battery Health?

This is worth taking more seriously on the S10 series than it would be on a newer refurbished phone. Battery health percentage for individual units is not confirmed on the product pages — check with The Tech Gadgets before ordering if this is important to you. But the underlying point stands regardless of what any individual unit tests at: these batteries are six to seven years old. Lithium-ion batteries degrade with age and charge cycles regardless of how well a phone has been looked after, and a battery that tests fine today will hold less charge than it did in 2019 and will continue to degrade. If all-day battery life on a single charge matters to you, budget for the likelihood of needing a battery replacement sooner than you would on a two- or three-year-old refurbished phone, and note that our 12-month warranty explicitly excludes battery wear — it covers manufacturing defects and functional faults, not natural battery degradation.

Still Worth Buying in 2026?

Only for the right use case, and it's important to be honest about this. Samsung's official support for the Galaxy S10 series ended in April 2023, with the March 2023 patch being the last scheduled security update — Samsung delivered on its original promise of three years of Android version updates and four years of security patches for this range, and that commitment is now fully used up. That means these phones have received no security patches for well over two years as of 2026, and there's no indication Samsung will resume support outside of an exceptional emergency fix. Realistically, that puts the S10 series firmly in "budget or backup phone" territory rather than "daily driver you trust with banking and passwords." It's a genuinely good fit if you want a cheap, functional Android phone for basic calls, messaging, browsing and apps that don't require the latest OS version — or as a spare device, a phone for a child, or a temporary phone while you save for something newer. We wouldn't recommend it as your only phone if you handle sensitive data on it. If you want something with active security support, look at our newer Galaxy generations instead.

Why Refurbished Instead of New?

This question needs reframing for the S10 series, because Samsung doesn't sell it new any more — it hasn't for years. So the real comparison isn't "refurbished vs new S10," it's "why buy this legacy hardware at all, refurbished, instead of a newer phone?" The answer is simple: price. A refurbished S10e gets you a genuine Samsung flagship-grade build — glass, metal, AMOLED, IP68 — for less than a fraction of what any current-generation phone costs, refurbished or otherwise. If your requirement is "a working Android phone that isn't going to fall apart," and you don't need 5G, the latest security patches, or a modern camera system, buying this generation refurbished is simply the cheapest way to get there without buying a new budget phone with a plastic body and a worse screen. Just go in with clear eyes about the software support situation above.

How Much Does It Cost?

Prices vary by model, storage size and condition grade — Like New costs the most, then Excellent, then Very Good, and Fair is the cheapest — and stock levels shift, so always check the live price on the product page before ordering:

• Check Galaxy S10e price & stock
• Check Galaxy S10 price & stock
• Check Galaxy S10+ price & stock

Where to Buy in the UK

All three models are in stock now at The Tech Gadgets, based in Manchester (01 Broughton Lane, Manchester, M8 9TY). Orders placed before 3pm Monday to Friday ship same day, typically arriving the next working day. Browse the full range in our refurbished Samsung phones collection, or see our complete range of devices across all mobile phones.

Buying Check

• Confirm the specific storage size and condition grade in stock before ordering.
• Decide upfront whether you need the S10+'s dual front camera, the S10's zoom lens, or the S10e's lower price and compact size.
• Contact The Tech Gadgets before ordering if battery health, exact grading criteria, or box contents matter to your decision.
• Confirm your network (EE, O2, Vodafone, Three, or an MVNO) — all units are unlocked and compatible.
• Understand this phone won't receive further Android security updates, and plan accordingly for how you'll use it.
• Check our 30-day return window and 12-month warranty terms before you buy.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

1. Assuming any S10-series phone supports 5G — none of the standard UK units do; only the separate Galaxy S10 5G model did.
2. Overestimating remaining software support — Samsung's official updates for this range ended in April 2023, and no further Android versions or routine security patches should be expected.
3. Buying this as your only phone for banking or sensitive work without weighing the lack of ongoing security patches.
4. Assuming the S10e has an in-display fingerprint sensor like the S10/S10+ — it doesn't, it uses a side-mounted sensor.
5. Assuming all three models have the same rear camera — the S10e drops the telephoto lens the S10 and S10+ both have.
6. Expecting eSIM support — none of the standard S10-series phones support it; only a nano-SIM tray is fitted.
7. Forgetting to check current battery health with The Tech Gadgets if all-day battery life matters to you.
8. Assuming the warranty covers battery degradation — it explicitly doesn't; it covers manufacturing defects and functional faults only.
9. Not confirming the exact condition grading criteria before ordering if cosmetic condition is important to you.
10. Assuming box contents (charger, cable) are included without checking — this isn't confirmed on the product pages.
11. Confusing the S10+ storage tiers — not every colour/condition combination is available at every storage size; check the live listing.
12. Assuming a 120Hz display — all three models run a standard 60Hz refresh rate, as this predates Samsung's move to higher refresh screens.
13. Overlooking that this generation isn't sold new any more, so "refurbished vs new" isn't really the comparison to make — it's refurbished-legacy vs a newer phone entirely.
14. Skipping the 30-day return window — contact The Tech Gadgets before sending anything back.
15. Not deciding between screen size and price upfront — pick based on features you'll actually use, not just cost.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the Samsung Galaxy S10 series still worth buying in 2026?

Only as a budget or backup phone. It's a genuine, well-built Samsung device at a very low price, but Samsung's software support ended in April 2023, so treat it as settled hardware rather than a growing platform.

What's the difference between the Galaxy S10, S10+ and S10e?

The S10e is the smallest and cheapest, with a flat screen, side-mounted fingerprint sensor and a simpler dual-camera. The S10 has a larger curved screen, in-display fingerprint sensor and triple camera with zoom. The S10+ is the largest, with the biggest battery, highest storage ceilings and a dual front camera.

Do any of these phones support 5G?

No. All three are 4G LTE-only devices. A separate Galaxy S10 5G model existed with different specifications, but it's not what's sold here.

Do they support eSIM?

No. None of the standard Galaxy S10-series phones support eSIM — Samsung introduced eSIM support starting with the Galaxy S20 in 2020. All three use a physical nano-SIM tray only.

Does the Galaxy S10e have an in-display fingerprint sensor?

No. Unlike the S10 and S10+, the S10e uses a side-mounted capacitive fingerprint sensor built into the power button.

Do these phones still have a headphone jack?

Yes. All three retain the 3.5mm headphone jack, one of the last Samsung flagship generations to keep it before it was dropped from later models.

Are they unlocked?

Yes, all units are SIM-free and unlocked, compatible with EE, O2, Vodafone, Three, and any UK MVNO built on their networks.

What condition are the phones in?

Each unit is graded Like New, Excellent, Very Good or Fair based on cosmetic condition. All grades are functionally tested; exact grading criteria aren't published, so contact us if this matters to you.

Will Samsung ever resume updates for the S10 series?

Unlikely for routine updates. Samsung completed its promised update cycle (three years of Android versions, four years of security patches) with the final patch around March 2023. Only an exceptional emergency fix would be likely going forward.

How much battery life can I expect?

Battery health for a specific unit isn't confirmed on the product page — check with The Tech Gadgets before ordering. As a general rule, expect noticeably reduced battery life versus when the phone was new, given these cells are six to seven years old.

Is there a warranty?

Yes, 12 months covering manufacturing defects and functional faults. It excludes battery wear, physical damage, water damage and electrical/short-circuit damage.

What's the return policy?

30 days from delivery. Contact The Tech Gadgets before sending anything back.

Does the box include a charger?

Not confirmed on the product pages — check with The Tech Gadgets before ordering if this matters to you.

Which model has the best camera?

The S10 and S10+ share the strongest rear camera system, including a 2x optical zoom lens the S10e doesn't have. The S10+ is the only model with a dual front camera for selfies and video calls.

Can I expand the storage with a microSD card?

Yes, all three models support microSD expansion in addition to their built-in storage.

Should I buy this or a newer Galaxy model?

If budget is your main constraint and you want a working Samsung phone for basic tasks, the S10 series is a reasonable choice. If you want ongoing security updates, 5G, or a more modern camera, consider a newer generation like the Galaxy S20 through S25, also available refurbished at The Tech Gadgets.

Is this a good phone for a child or as a spare device?

Yes — this is one of the strongest use cases for the S10 series at this age: a low-cost, functional Android phone for basic use where cutting-edge security support isn't essential.

Ready to Buy?

All three Galaxy S10-series phones are in stock now, fully tested, unlocked, and backed by a 12-month warranty and 30-day returns.

• Buy the Galaxy S10e
• Buy the Galaxy S10
• Buy the Galaxy S10+

Browse the full refurbished Samsung phones collection or all mobile phones. Want something newer? See our guides to the refurbished Galaxy S20, S21, S22, S23, S24 and S25 series for models with active software support and 5G.

Questions about warranty or returns? Check our warranty policy and refund policy, or contact us — call, email info@thetechgadgets.co.uk, or WhatsApp +44 7563 734444.