Choosing a Second-hand Samsung Galaxy

Samsung sells more flagship Android phones than any other manufacturer, and second-hand prices have made them genuinely accessible. But the line-up is sprawling — S, S Ultra, FE, A-series, Z Flip, Z Fold — and choosing badly costs you hundreds of pounds. This guide walks through every second-hand Samsung worth buying in the UK in 2026.

Every Samsung listed here ships with our 12-month UK warranty, certified 85%+ battery health, free UK delivery, and a 45-day returns window. If you'd rather see the full catalogue first, take a look at the second-hand Samsung Galaxy range.

The 30-second answer

Samsung's ranges, decoded

Galaxy S — the flagship

Compact (S24/S25) at 6.2", Plus at 6.6", Ultra at 6.8". Top-tier chip, top-tier camera, top software-support window. The S24 and S25 share an almost identical chassis and most specs; we've covered the differences in the dedicated S24 vs S25 review.

Galaxy S FE — Fan Edition

Effectively a "value flagship" — most of the S-series experience, slightly older chip, plastic frame on some generations, larger screen, often better battery. Excellent second-hand-market value. The S24 FE in particular is one of the most underrated phones Samsung sells.

Galaxy A — mid-range

A50, A52, A53, A54, A55, A56 — yearly mid-range refresh. AMOLED displays, decent cameras, IP67 water resistance, microSD slot, dual SIM. Not as fast or photographically capable as the S-series but you get five years of software updates and long battery life.

Galaxy Z Flip / Fold — foldable

Z Flip is the clamshell that folds in half. Z Fold is the book-style foldable that opens to a 7.6" inner screen. Both are now genuinely refined — the Flip 5 and Fold 5 onwards are the first generations we'd recommend without caveat. Older Flip 3 makes for a fun novelty buy at £180–£220 if you don't mind the smaller cover screen.

By budget

Under £200

Galaxy A52 or Galaxy A54 in Very Good condition. Both have 120Hz AMOLED, 5G, and IP67 water resistance — class-leading at this price. The A54 is the more current pick.

£200–£300

Galaxy A55 Pristine (£240–£280) is the sweet spot. Aluminium frame instead of plastic, identical 120Hz AMOLED, five years of updates from launch. Best mid-range Samsung you can buy second-hand. The Galaxy S23 FE is the wildcard — older but with proper flagship internals.

£300–£500

Galaxy S24 at £380–£420 — full flagship at a sensible price. Alternatively the Galaxy S24 FE for around £350 if you prefer the larger battery.

£500–£700

Galaxy S25 (£540–£600) or Galaxy S24+ (£500–£560). The S24+ gives you the bigger 6.7" screen for less; the S25 gives you the newer chip and an extra year of software runway.

£700+

Galaxy S24 Ultra (£740–£820) or Galaxy S25 Ultra (£860–£940). The S Pen, 5x periscope, the brightest screens Samsung makes. The S24 Ultra is roughly £100 cheaper for 90% of the experience.

All recommended Samsungs at a glance

How to choose, step by step

1. Pick your range. S for flagship, FE for value flagship, A for mid-range, Z for foldable. Start here — it eliminates 80% of the catalogue.
2. Set your spend ceiling. Honest number, including case, glass and any warranty extension you want.
3. Check software runway. S24 onwards = 7 years updates from launch. S23 = 4 years remaining. A55 = 5 years remaining. Buy the runway you need.
4. Decide screen size. 6.2" S24/S25 is the smallest modern flagship; 6.6" standard for most A-series; 6.7"–6.9" Plus and Ultra. Hold one if possible.
5. Choose your condition grade. Pristine for near-new feel, Very Good for best value, Good if you're putting it in a case anyway.

Samsung vs iPhone vs Pixel

At any given price band, you're typically choosing between three phones:

• Samsung: the most spec for your money, the best screens, the longest software support window outside of Apple. Best Android ecosystem on the high street.
• iPhone: the longest practical software-update window, the best resale value, the easiest experience for non-technical users. The whole iPhone catalogue is worth comparing — we have a dedicated iPhone buying guide.
• Pixel: the best camera processing at any price band, the fastest Android security updates. Slightly shorter spec sheet, but feature-rich. The Pixel catalogue is consistently the best camera-per-pound choice.

What to avoid

• S20 series and older. Mostly out of software support; battery health on used cells is also typically poor. Save up another £80 for an A54.
• "Open box" listings without warranty detail. Open box should mean unopened; if it doesn't, ask why.
• A-series labelled below A52. The A11/A12/A21s are too compromised to enjoy in 2026 even at £80–£100.
• The first-gen Z Fold and Flip. Build issues are well-documented; screens are fragile. Stick to Fold 4/5 or Flip 4/5 onwards.

If you're cross-shopping

Worth comparing against the second-hand iPhone range and the second-hand Google Pixel range. We've also put together a list of the best second-hand phones under £300 if you want a cross-brand shortlist.

Frequently asked questions