Just in time for Earth Day 2023, Samsung has announced that it will be selling the Samsung Galaxy S22 in a refurbished store – and at a bargain price.
Starting April 21, the Samsung Galaxy S22 will be available for $619, the Samsung Galaxy S22 Plus for $769, and the Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra for $919 from the Samsung US store (no UK or Australian launch yet). All phones are the base 128GB models, but if you pay extra you get the S22 Ultra with 256GB.
These aren’t the best prices we’ve ever seen for a Samsung phone, but they’re not far off – with the regular S22 model being the best deal.
In our four-star review of the Samsung Galaxy S22, we called it a “solid Android device” and a phone that would “quickly become a trusted companion” thanks to its handy 50MP main camera, well-performing chipset, and decent 12 hours of battery life based on our testing.
Why buy a refurbished phone instead of a brand new model?
There are some pretty compelling reasons to choose a refurbished model over a new phone.
Firstly, refurbished phones are usually cheaper than their brand new counterparts. Second, they’re more environmentally friendly – new parts are reused rather than sent to landfill, and new materials and energy don’t have to be harvested to keep the phone running.
You’ll also find that when it comes to the product you get your hands on, there are very few differences between new and refurbished tech (at least as far as Samsung’s official store is concerned). That’s because many parts are brand new, even if the whole refurbished phone is not generic.
According to the official Samsung website (opens in a new tab), the phone will get a brand new battery, new unique identifiers, and (if necessary) replace the screen, camera and speakers. As if that wasn’t enough, each certified refurbished smartphone will go through a series of tests to make sure it performs “like new”. Finally, it will arrive in a brand new box with a user manual, a one-year warranty card, and a charging cable.
That said, there are some distinct downsides to using a refurbished gadget. The main one is that you’re stuck with older hardware as brands rarely sell their latest hardware through refurbished programs as soon as they go live.
The Galaxy S22 is far from ancient, but it is over a year old and was supplanted by the Samsung Galaxy S23 earlier this year. Don’t get us wrong, the S22 is still a very solid gadget – and it’s a great choice at this affordable refurbished price – but if you like having the latest and greatest tech, you may find that buying refurbished isn’t for you.
Also, not all refurbished phones are created equal. The Samsung store is likely to get you a solid product, but third-party refurbished stores may be less consistent with the testing and refurbishing process. Therefore, before buying a used smartphone, it is worth making sure that there is a long warranty and a comprehensive return process.
You can also check out all the latest Samsung promo codes to save even more money on your next purchase from the manufacturer’s official store.