Refurbished Samsung Galaxy S21 Series UK: Buy S21, Plus, Ultra & FE

If you're weighing up a refurbished Samsung Galaxy S21, S21+, S21 Ultra or S21 FE, the short version is this: all four are 2021-era flagships (the FE followed in January 2022) with 120Hz AMOLED screens, the Exynos 2100 chipset in the UK for the standard S21 line, 5G, IP68 water resistance and genuinely strong cameras — and buying refurbished from The Tech Gadgets gets you into one for a fraction of the original launch price, fully tested, unlocked, and backed by a 12-month warranty. The real decision isn't whether these phones are still capable in 2026 (they are, for everyday use), it's which model fits your budget and which features you actually need: screen size, camera zoom, battery life, or storage. This guide walks through the verified specs, the trade-offs between each model, and exactly what "refurbished" and each condition grade mean before you buy. Every fact below is either pulled directly from Samsung's published specifications or from what The Tech Gadgets currently has listed in stock — nothing here is guessed, and where a detail (like battery health or exact box contents) isn't published, we say so plainly rather than filling in the gap.

Shop Refurbished Galaxy S21 Series

Prices vary by storage size and condition grade: Like New costs the most, then Excellent, then Very Good, and Fair is the cheapest. Check each product page for live stock and today's price, as this fluctuates.

Comparison: Galaxy S21 vs S21+ vs S21 Ultra vs S21 FE

Samsung specifies the Exynos 2100 chipset across the UK/European Galaxy S21, S21+ and S21 Ultra. The Galaxy S21 FE is the exception: Samsung specifies the Snapdragon 888 chipset for UK and European FE units, while Exynos 2100 FE variants were reserved for markets including India and Australia — so despite sharing a chip family name with the rest of the S21 line, UK-spec FE units run different silicon under the hood.

Buyer Match: Which Galaxy S21 Fits You?

• Want the smallest, most pocketable flagship and don't need the biggest screen? The Galaxy S21 is your pick.
• Want a bigger screen and longer battery life without paying Ultra money? The Galaxy S21+ is the middle ground.
• Want the sharpest screen, the longest camera zoom, and don't mind paying more? The Galaxy S21 Ultra is the one to buy.
• Want the lowest entry price with a slightly bigger battery than the standard S21? The Galaxy S21 FE makes the most financial sense.

Which Should You Buy?

For most buyers browsing refurbished flagships in 2026, the decision comes down to budget versus camera ambition. If you just want a reliable, fast, good-looking phone with a smooth 120Hz screen and don't care about long-range zoom, the S21 FE is currently the cheapest way in and gives up very little in daily use. If screen size for video and gaming matters more than price, the S21+ adds a bigger, brighter canvas and a noticeably larger battery. If photography — particularly zoom range — is the priority, the S21 Ultra's quad-camera system with 10x optical zoom and 100x Space Zoom remains genuinely competitive against phones several years newer, and its QHD+ display is the sharpest of the four. The standard S21 sits as the compact option for anyone who finds modern phones too large.

Galaxy S21

The standard Galaxy S21 remains one of the more balanced flagships Samsung has made: a 6.2-inch 120Hz Dynamic AMOLED 2X display, a genuinely capable triple-camera system (12MP wide, 12MP ultra-wide, 64MP telephoto with hybrid optic zoom), and the Exynos 2100 chipset with 8GB RAM. Samsung specifies a 4000mAh battery with 25W wired charging plus 15W wireless charging and Wireless PowerShare. The Tech Gadgets currently lists it in Phantom Gray, Phantom White, Phantom Violet and Phantom Pink, in 128GB and 256GB storage, across all four condition grades. It's the compact choice in this line-up — smaller in the hand than the S21+ or Ultra, but built to the same flagship standard, with a glass-and-metal chassis and Gorilla Glass Victus front glass. Full details, live stock and pricing are on the Galaxy S21 product page. Design-wise, the S21 introduced Samsung's distinctive contour-cut camera housing, which blends the camera bump into the aluminium frame rather than sitting as a separate raised block — a look Samsung has refined in every generation since. Samsung specifies Night Mode and Single Take video across the camera system, both useful for low-light shooting and quickly capturing multiple photo/video formats from one take.

Galaxy S21+

The Galaxy S21+ takes the same internals as the standard S21 — Exynos 2100, the same triple camera array, the same 120Hz Dynamic AMOLED 2X panel technology — and stretches the screen to 6.7 inches while bumping the battery to 4800mAh, still on 25W wired charging. It's the pick for anyone who found the standard S21 a little small for video or gaming but doesn't want to pay Ultra pricing or carry the Ultra's larger footprint. The Tech Gadgets currently lists it in Phantom Black, Phantom Silver, Phantom Violet and Phantom Pink, in 128GB and 256GB. See current stock and today's price on the Galaxy S21+ product page. Like every model in this range, Samsung specifies 15W wireless charging alongside the 25W wired option, plus Wireless PowerShare, which lets the phone act as a charging pad for compatible earbuds, watches or other phones.

Galaxy S21 Ultra

The Galaxy S21 Ultra was Samsung's flagship-of-flagships for this generation, and it's the clear outlier in this line-up on paper. Samsung specifies a 6.8-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X display at QHD+ resolution with a 120Hz adaptive (LTPO) refresh rate — noticeably sharper than the FHD+ panels on the other three models. The camera system steps up to four rear lenses: a 108MP wide sensor, a 12MP ultra-wide, a 10MP telephoto with 3x optical zoom, and a second 10MP telephoto with 10x optical zoom, combining for up to 100x digital Space Zoom. It also supports the S Pen as an accessory — sold separately, and unlike later Ultra models there's no built-in silo to store it in the phone body. Samsung specifies a 5000mAh battery, the largest in the range, with 25W wired and 15W wireless charging. UK units typically run 12GB or 16GB RAM depending on configuration. The Tech Gadgets currently lists it in Phantom Black, Phantom Silver, Phantom Titanium, Phantom Navy and Phantom Brown, in 128GB, 256GB and 512GB. Check live stock and today's price on the Galaxy S21 Ultra product page.

Galaxy S21 FE

The Galaxy S21 FE (Fan Edition) arrived a year later, in January 2022, as Samsung's attempt to distil the S21 experience into a more affordable package. Samsung specifies a 6.4-inch Dynamic AMOLED display with FHD+ resolution and a 120Hz refresh rate, plus a triple rear camera of 12MP wide, 12MP ultra-wide and an 8MP telephoto with 3x optical zoom — a step down from the standard S21's 64MP telephoto sensor, but still capable for everyday shooting. The notable spec difference: Samsung specifies the Snapdragon 888 chipset for UK and European S21 FE units, rather than the Exynos 2100 used across the rest of the UK S21 range. Battery capacity is 4500mAh with 25W wired charging plus 15W wireless charging — bigger than the standard S21's cell. The Tech Gadgets currently lists it in Graphite, Olive, Lavender and White, in 128GB and 256GB, and it's the cheapest entry point into this refurbished range. See the Galaxy S21 FE product page for current stock and today's price.

Galaxy S21 vs S21 FE

These two sit closest in price, so the comparison matters. The standard S21 has a smaller 6.2-inch screen against the FE's 6.4-inch, a smaller 4000mAh battery against the FE's 4500mAh, but a notably stronger telephoto camera (64MP hybrid zoom versus the FE's 8MP/3x optical). The S21 also runs the Exynos 2100 in the UK, while the FE runs the Snapdragon 888. Neither chipset is meaningfully better for everyday use — both handle multitasking, apps and moderate gaming comfortably. If camera zoom quality is your priority, the standard S21 has the edge; if battery life and a marginally bigger screen matter more, and you want the lowest price in this range, the FE is the better buy.

Galaxy S21+ vs S21 Ultra

Both are large-screen phones, but they serve different buyers. The S21+ shares the standard S21's camera hardware in a bigger body with a bigger battery — a good pick if screen size and stamina are what you're after, without paying for camera hardware you won't use. The S21 Ultra costs more but adds a sharper QHD+ display, a genuinely different camera system with 10x optical zoom and S Pen support, and the largest battery in the line-up at 5000mAh. If you photograph or film regularly, especially at a distance, the price gap to the Ultra is easy to justify. If you mainly want a big, smooth screen for browsing, streaming and messaging, the S21+ delivers that for less.

Is the Ultra Worth It?

For most buyers, the S21 Ultra is worth the premium only if you'll actually use its camera zoom or the S Pen. The 100x Space Zoom is a genuine differentiator that no other model in this range — or many current mid-range phones — matches, and the QHD+ display is visibly sharper if you're particular about screen quality. But if your phone use is mostly messaging, social media, streaming and light photography, the S21+ or even the standard S21 will feel just as fast day-to-day, at a lower price. The Ultra is a considered upgrade for people who know they want its specific strengths, not a default "buy the best one" choice.

Best Camera?

On paper and in practice, the Galaxy S21 Ultra has the strongest camera system here: four rear lenses including two telephoto lenses (3x and 10x optical), a 108MP main sensor, and Space Zoom up to 100x. The standard S21 and S21+ share an identical triple-camera setup with a 64MP telephoto lens offering solid hybrid zoom, a genuine step up from typical mid-range phones of this era. The S21 FE has the most modest zoom hardware of the four, with an 8MP telephoto capped at 3x optical zoom, though its wide and ultra-wide sensors match the rest of the range for everyday shooting. If zoom range and low-light versatility are what you care about, the Ultra wins; for general photography, all four perform well.

Storage Size?

Storage tiers vary by model: the S21, S21+ and S21 FE are available in 128GB or 256GB, while the S21 Ultra additionally offers 512GB. Which you need depends on how you use your phone.

Storage Match

• 128GB — comfortably covers apps, photos, streaming and everyday use for most people, especially if you rely on cloud storage or stream rather than download.
• 256GB — worth it if you keep a large photo library, download music or video for offline use, or install several large games.
• 512GB (Ultra only) — aimed at anyone shooting a lot of 8K video, storing large offline media libraries, or who simply never wants to think about storage again.

Check each product page for current storage availability, as stock varies by condition grade and colour.

What Does Refurbished Mean?

Every Galaxy S21, S21+, S21 Ultra and S21 FE sold by The Tech Gadgets is refurbished and unlocked — never new. That means each device is a previously owned phone that has been professionally tested, inspected, and restored to a fully working condition before resale. Refurbished does not mean faulty or repaired-after-damage; it means pre-owned, checked, and graded for cosmetic condition, then sold at a significant discount to the original retail price. All four condition grades — Like New, Excellent, Very Good and Fair — refer to cosmetic appearance, not function; every unit sold is confirmed to work fully regardless of grade. This is a meaningfully different proposition from buying second-hand privately, where there's no formal testing process, no standardised grading, and typically no warranty — the professional refurbishment process, combined with a 12-month warranty and 30-day return window, is what separates a retailer like The Tech Gadgets from a marketplace listing of unknown provenance.

Conditions Explained

The Tech Gadgets grades every device into one of four condition tiers: Like New, Excellent, Very Good, or Fair. These grades describe the cosmetic state of the phone. If you need the precise grading criteria for a specific tier before you buy — for example, exactly what kind of wear is acceptable under "Very Good" — contact The Tech Gadgets directly at info@thetechgadgets.co.uk or via WhatsApp at +44 7563 734444 before ordering, as exact criteria per grade are not published on the product pages.

Are They Unlocked?

Yes — every Galaxy S21, S21+, S21 Ultra and S21 FE sold by The Tech Gadgets is sold SIM-free and fully unlocked. That means they work on EE, O2, Vodafone, Three, and any smaller UK network or MVNO that runs on their infrastructure (including networks like giffgaff, Tesco Mobile, Sky Mobile, Smarty, and others). There's no network restriction to remove and no unlocking process required — simply insert your SIM card and the phone is ready to use.

What's Included?

Exact box contents are not confirmed on the product pages and can vary by unit. If you specifically need a charger, cable, or — for the S21 Ultra — an S Pen included in the box, contact The Tech Gadgets before ordering to confirm what will be included with your specific purchase. Don't assume accessories are included by default.

Battery Health?

Battery health percentage is not published on any of the four product pages. As with any refurbished device several years old, battery condition can vary between individual units, and if this matters to your decision — for example, if you need confirmation the battery holds a certain percentage of its original capacity — check with The Tech Gadgets directly before ordering. It's also worth noting that The Tech Gadgets' 12-month warranty covers manufacturing defects and functional faults, but explicitly excludes battery degradation, along with physical damage, water damage, and electrical or short-circuit damage.

Still Worth Buying in 2026?

Honestly assessed: the Galaxy S21 series is now five years old (the S21 FE, four), and Samsung's official software support has run its course. Samsung committed to three years of major Android version upgrades and five years of security updates for this generation. The S21 line launched on Android 11, was updated through One UI 6 (Android 14) by December 2023, and received its final major OS update — Android 15 with One UI 7 — in May 2025. Samsung's five-year security update commitment for the S21 series concluded in January 2026, meaning these phones have now aged out of Samsung's official update roster entirely. For day-to-day speed, screen quality and camera performance, all four models remain genuinely capable in 2026 — the 120Hz displays, solid RAM allocations and flagship-grade cameras hold up well against far newer mid-range phones. But buyers should go in with clear eyes: you won't receive further Android version upgrades, and security patch support has now ended. If you replace your phone every 2-3 years and want flagship performance at a steep discount right now, these remain a smart buy. If you want a device that will keep receiving security updates for years to come, a newer refurbished model — such as the Galaxy S23 or Galaxy S24 series — is the safer long-term choice.

Why Refurbished Instead of New?

Buying refurbished rather than new gets you flagship hardware — glass-and-metal build quality, 120Hz AMOLED displays, multi-lens cameras, IP68 water resistance — at a fraction of the phone's original launch price. Every unit The Tech Gadgets sells has been tested and inspected before resale, is unlocked for any UK network, and comes with a 12-month warranty and 30-day return window, which closes much of the risk gap between buying new and buying used. For buyers who don't need the very latest software updates or the newest camera sensor, refurbished flagships like the S21 series offer considerably better value per pound than a new mid-range phone at a similar price point. There's also an environmental angle worth mentioning: choosing a refurbished device keeps a functional phone in circulation for longer, reducing electronic waste compared to buying new and retiring an otherwise working handset. For anyone weighing up a brand-new budget phone against a refurbished flagship at a similar price, the refurbished flagship almost always wins on build quality, display technology and camera hardware — the trade-off is simply that you're buying a phone that's a few years into its life cycle rather than one at the start of it.

How Much Does It Cost?

Pricing depends on model, storage size and condition grade: Like New costs the most, then Excellent, then Very Good, and Fair is the cheapest. Prices change with stock levels and condition availability, so check the live price on each product page before ordering: Galaxy S21, Galaxy S21+, Galaxy S21 Ultra, Galaxy S21 FE.

Where to Buy in the UK

The Tech Gadgets is a Manchester-based UK retailer at 01 Broughton Lane, Manchester, M8 9TY, specialising in refurbished, unlocked electronics. Orders placed before 3pm Monday to Friday are dispatched the same day. You can browse the full Galaxy S21 range, plus other refurbished Samsung models, in the refurbished Samsung phones collection, or see every refurbished handset in stock across the full mobile phones collection.

Buying Check

Before you check out, run through this quick list:

• Model — confirmed you've picked S21, S21+, S21 Ultra or S21 FE based on screen size, camera and budget?
• Storage — enough for your photo, app and media habits, with room to spare?
• Condition grade — happy with Like New, Excellent, Very Good or Fair, and clear on what that means cosmetically? Ask The Tech Gadgets if unsure.
• Colour — confirmed availability for your preferred colour in your chosen storage and condition combination.
• Network — confirmed you're on EE, O2, Vodafone, Three or a compatible MVNO (all four models are unlocked, so this should be a non-issue).
• Box contents — if you need a charger, cable or S Pen included, confirmed with The Tech Gadgets before ordering.
• Battery expectations — aware that battery health isn't published and that battery wear isn't covered under warranty.
• Warranty and returns — read the warranty policy and refund policy so you know what's covered.

Common Mistakes

• Assuming all four models use the same chipset in the UK — the FE runs Snapdragon 888 while the rest of the range runs Exynos 2100.
• Buying the Ultra purely because it's the most expensive, without needing its zoom or S Pen.
• Assuming a charger and cable are included in the box without checking first.
• Not confirming battery health before ordering if that matters to you.
• Expecting battery wear to be covered under the 12-month warranty — it isn't.
• Confusing condition grade with functional quality — every grade is a fully working, tested phone; the grade only reflects cosmetics.
• Assuming these phones will keep receiving major Android updates — Samsung's official update cycle for the S21 series has now ended.
• Not checking storage availability for your preferred colour and condition combination before assuming it's in stock.
• Overlooking the S21 FE as a "lesser" model — it shares the same core chipset tier and a bigger battery than the standard S21 at a lower price.
• Forgetting that the S21 Ultra's S Pen is sold separately and has no built-in storage silo in the phone body.
• Ordering after 3pm on a Friday and expecting same-day dispatch — same-day dispatch applies Monday to Friday, before 3pm.
• Sending a return without contacting The Tech Gadgets first — the 30-day return window requires contact before you send anything back.
• Assuming "refurbished" means "repaired after a fault" — it means professionally tested and cosmetically graded, not new.
• Not comparing per-GB value across storage tiers before choosing — the price jump between 128GB and 256GB varies by model.
• Buying based on launch-era specs without checking what's actually in stock right now — colours, storage and condition availability shift constantly.

Frequently Asked Questions

What's the difference between the Galaxy S21, S21+ and S21 Ultra?

Screen size (6.2", 6.7" and 6.8" respectively), camera hardware (the Ultra has a distinct quad-camera system with 10x optical zoom versus the S21/S21+'s shared triple camera), display resolution (the Ultra is QHD+, the others FHD+), and battery capacity (4000mAh, 4800mAh and 5000mAh).

Is the Galaxy S21 FE the same as the Galaxy S21?

No. The FE has a slightly larger 6.4-inch screen, a bigger 4500mAh battery, a more modest telephoto camera, and — in the UK — runs the Snapdragon 888 chipset rather than the Exynos 2100 used in the standard S21.

Are these phones unlocked?

Yes, all four models are sold SIM-free and unlocked, compatible with EE, O2, Vodafone, Three and any UK MVNO.

Do they support 5G?

Yes, all four models support 5G alongside 4G LTE.

What chipset does the Galaxy S21 Ultra use?

Samsung specifies the Exynos 2100 for UK Galaxy S21 Ultra units, paired with 12GB or 16GB RAM depending on configuration.

Does the S21 Ultra have a built-in S Pen slot?

No. The S21 Ultra supports the S Pen as a separately sold accessory, but unlike later Ultra models, there's no built-in silo in the phone body to store it.

What's the battery capacity on each model?

Samsung specifies 4000mAh for the S21, 4800mAh for the S21+, 5000mAh for the S21 Ultra, and 4500mAh for the S21 FE.

Are these phones waterproof?

All four carry an IP68 water and dust resistance rating as specified by Samsung, though this rating can degrade over the life of a refurbished device and isn't covered under warranty if it fails.

What condition grades are available?

Like New, Excellent, Very Good and Fair. These describe cosmetic condition only — every unit is fully tested and functional regardless of grade.

Is battery health confirmed before I buy?

No, battery health percentage is not published on the product pages. Contact The Tech Gadgets before ordering if this is important to you.

Does the warranty cover battery issues?

No. The 12-month warranty covers manufacturing defects and functional faults, but excludes battery degradation, physical damage, water damage, and electrical or short-circuit damage.

What's the return policy?

30 days from delivery. Contact The Tech Gadgets before sending anything back — see the refund policy for full details.

How fast is dispatch?

Orders placed before 3pm Monday to Friday are dispatched the same day.

Do these phones come with a charger?

Box contents are not confirmed on the product pages and can vary — check with The Tech Gadgets before ordering if a charger or cable is essential.

Which model has the best camera?

The Galaxy S21 Ultra, thanks to its quad-camera system with dual telephoto lenses offering 3x and 10x optical zoom and up to 100x Space Zoom.

Which model has the biggest screen?

The Galaxy S21 Ultra, at 6.8 inches, followed by the S21+ at 6.7 inches, the S21 FE at 6.4 inches, and the standard S21 at 6.2 inches.

Which storage size should I choose?

128GB suits most everyday users; 256GB suits anyone with a large photo or video library; 512GB (available on the S21 Ultra only) suits heavy 8K video shooters or anyone with a large offline media collection.

Will these phones keep getting Android updates?

No. Samsung's official update cycle for the Galaxy S21 series has concluded — the final major update was Android 15/One UI 7 in May 2025, and the five-year security update commitment ended in January 2026.

Is the Galaxy S21 series still worth buying in 2026?

For budget-conscious buyers who want flagship-level performance, cameras and displays at a steep discount and don't need years of future software updates, yes. If ongoing security updates matter more to you, consider a newer model such as the Galaxy S23 or Galaxy S24.

Where can I buy a refurbished Galaxy S21 in the UK?

From The Tech Gadgets, a Manchester-based UK retailer. Browse the full range in the refurbished Samsung phones collection.

Who do I contact with questions before ordering?

Email info@thetechgadgets.co.uk or message The Tech Gadgets on WhatsApp at +44 7563 734444.

Do these phones support wireless charging?

Yes. Samsung specifies 15W wireless charging and Wireless PowerShare across the Galaxy S21, S21+, S21 Ultra and S21 FE, alongside 25W wired charging.

What colours are available?

The Tech Gadgets currently lists the S21 in Phantom Gray, White, Violet and Pink; the S21+ in Phantom Black, Silver, Violet and Pink; the S21 Ultra in Phantom Black, Silver, Titanium, Navy and Brown; and the S21 FE in Graphite, Olive, Lavender and White. Availability varies by storage and condition, so check the product page for live stock.

How much RAM does each model have?

UK stock typically runs 8GB RAM on the S21 and S21+, 6GB or 8GB on the S21 FE, and 12GB or 16GB on the S21 Ultra depending on configuration.

Can I get a refurbished Galaxy S21 with a large screen and a small budget?

The Galaxy S21 FE is the closest match — a 6.4-inch display at the lowest starting price in this range.

Does The Tech Gadgets ship same day?

Yes, for orders placed before 3pm Monday to Friday. Orders placed after 3pm or over the weekend are dispatched the next working day.

Ready to Buy?

Browse and buy any of the four models directly:

• Shop the Galaxy S21
• Shop the Galaxy S21+
• Shop the Galaxy S21 Ultra
• Shop the Galaxy S21 FE

Or browse the wider range: the refurbished Samsung phones collection, or every device in the full mobile phones collection.

Comparing generations? See our guides to the Galaxy S22 series, Galaxy S23 series, Galaxy S24 series, and Galaxy S25 series. You might also like our guides to the Galaxy A series, iPhone 13, iPhone 15, Google Pixel, OnePlus and Nothing Phone ranges.

Before you buy, read our warranty policy and refund policy, or get in touch via the contact us page, email info@thetechgadgets.co.uk, or WhatsApp +44 7563 734444.