Old Samsung phones still worth buying in 2023

While you consider Android OEMs, there’s a great probability that Samsung could be close to the highest of that psychological listing. The Korean agency has made among the greatest Android telephones, with the newest Galaxy S23 sequence setting the benchmark for others to observe. However what should you don’t have the capital to buy the newest flagships however desire a machine that’ll nonetheless present near-flagship caliber efficiency? Let’s flip again the clock and take a look at some outdated Samsung telephones nonetheless value their salt and your money.

Why you need to take into account an outdated Samsung cellphone

We perceive the attract of shopping for the newest flagship telephones. You might be an influence consumer craving the newest chipsets, digital camera {hardware}, and software program help or just need the newest and best accessible. Nevertheless, shopping for the latest machine accessible doesn’t at all times make sense financially. The Galaxy S23 sequence begins at a lofty $799 and runs as much as $1,199 for the Galaxy S23 Extremely. You’ll want way more to snag a Galaxy Z Fold 4 or Z Flip 4. You’ll be able to, nevertheless, skirt these pricing penalties by contemplating a cellphone only a few months older.

Because the regulation of diminishing returns hits trendy expertise, we’ve seen more moderen Samsung flagships take an iterative improve method over sweeping, significant modifications. For example, past chipset, sturdiness, and selfie digital camera upgrades, there aren’t many big-ticket modifications between the S22 and S23. Because of this choosing a barely older cellphone affords you many nice options that lots of Samsung’s present flagships boast.

In fact, like shopping for a used automotive, contemplating an outdated cellphone comes with wonderful print. Software program help turns into a priority the older the machine is. Samsung has promised that new flagships telephones from the Galaxy S22 sequence can be supported for 5 years with 4 main Android releases, however some telephones, just like the Galaxy S10 sequence, have already seen their final replace. You might get a shock patch often, however be aware that Samsung now not helps many older gadgets.

Secondhand merchandise are usually dangerous buys, as you’re counting on the unique proprietor to be a cautious consumer. These gadgets could have hidden points or extra noticeable aesthetic issues. You received’t have to fret about this with model new gadgets. Moreover, should you injury your discontinued machine in any means, there could now not be a dependable inventory of alternative parts.

In the end, we predict the dangers are value it. Some older telephones can nonetheless afford customers glorious worth, particularly contemplating many flagships from only a few years in the past can now be had for brand new mid-range gadgets.

The Samsung Galaxy S22 Plus is without doubt one of the greatest examples of an older flagship that’s nonetheless value shopping for. We had only a few criticisms of the machine when it launched in early 2022. The cellphone definitely lacked the drama of the Galaxy S22 Extremely however included a specs sheet that supplied nice worth for the money it demanded. It’s the bowl of porridge that Goldilocks would love.

The 6.6-inch 120Hz AMOLED display screen is especially spectacular, yielding a delightful coloration profile proper out of the field. It’s brilliant, too, with our reviewer Eric Zeman stating it’s one of many brightest cellphone screens he has ever used. The panel helps intensify the snaps garnered by the dependable 50MP principal, 12MP ultrawide, and 10MP 3x telephoto digital camera array.

We expect all three Galaxy S22 sequence fashions are value shopping for in 2023, however the Plus provides the most effective worth. Yow will discover it for as little as $450 — barely pricier than the Google Pixel 6a — at some retailers. For that worth, particularly contemplating its pending years of software program help, it’s the most effective outdated Samsung cellphone you should purchase in 2023.

Our readers voted 2021’s Galaxy S21 Extremely because the Android cellphone of that yr, and that’s no shock. Two years later, the enormous machine remains to be a formidable piece of equipment and falls nicely inside Samsung’s five-year software program replace program.

In contrast to older Samsung flagships, the Galaxy S21 Extremely’s battery life is one in every of its extra spectacular options. We garnered as much as two days on a single cost throughout our evaluation, which for its 6.8-inch display screen and Snapdragon 888 is spectacular. This is without doubt one of the first Samsung telephones to not characteristic a charging brick within the field, however this shouldn’t be a difficulty should you’re shopping for the cellphone pre-owned.

Why is it nonetheless value shopping for? Properly, one in every of our greatest points at launch was its worth. The Galaxy S21 Extremely as soon as retailed for $1,199. Now you can discover it for as little as $370 at some retailers. In essence, it’s now competing in opposition to the Google Pixel 6a and the Galaxy A53. Sure, the latter will embrace longer software program help, however the Galaxy S21 Extremely is smart for these craving a kitchen sink-packing handset that does nearly every thing nicely.

For a extra trendy answer that now performs within the funds area, take into account the Galaxy S20 FE. The “Fan Version” fashions had been created to plug the area of interest between the premium Galaxy S line and the mid-range A sequence. Age has been sort to the cellphone’s worth.

The Galaxy S20 FE shades among the Galaxy S20 Plus’ specs, together with the beneficiant 4,500mAh battery and 6.5-inch AMOLED display screen. Past these, the machine was nothing spectacular and Samsung made loads of sacrifices for its decrease retail worth.

Arriving over 4 years in the past, the Galaxy S10 performs second fiddle to the premium Plus mannequin. The cellphone could seem a curious inclusion as its prolonged replace help interval simply ended. Nevertheless, we predict the Galaxy S10 nonetheless has a distinct segment attraction that might make the proper backup cellphone.

With a 19:9 side ratio and 6.1-inch show, it’s nonetheless one of many smaller, extra pocket-friendly trendy telephones Samsung produced. It contains loads of design quirks, from the horizontal digital camera bar on the rear, particular version sweet colorways, and that digital camera cutout on the top-right of the display screen. You additionally get a headphone jack and helpful reverse charging performance.

Since launch, the Galaxy S10 has been swamped by extra trendy competitors and even trendy mid-range telephones, however we’ve discovered it for as little as $145 on eBay. You would get a Motorola G Energy (2022) at that worth, which can solely beat the Galaxy S10 on battery endurance.

OK, hear us out. The Samsung Galaxy Be aware 9 is the oldest cellphone on this listing. Launched in 2018, this was the final fully-featured Be aware with a microSD card slot and headphone jack. Sure, it’s decidedly dated and now not garners software program help from Samsung. Nevertheless, the Be aware 9 should still make sense for some looking for a big cellphone with oodles of storage for media consumption, content material creation, or writers.

On the time of our evaluation, we couldn’t get sufficient of its massive AMOLED display screen with improved S Pen smarts, and the beneficiant inside storage choices. 5 years later, the chipset is beginning to present its age, and its digital camera efficiency can’t stack up in opposition to trendy Samsung fashions. Nevertheless, we’d warning in opposition to nixing it out of your purchasing listing.

Positive, it would solely have collector’s attraction in 2023, however with the 512GB storage mannequin going for as little as $250, it could be the proper choice for mass-storage media lovers. Pair it with a microSD card to retailer every thing you can ever need.

Samsung has steadily improved its foldable platform for the reason that unique Galaxy Fold, however its sequel stands out as the one to think about. When the Galaxy Z Fold 2 launched in 2020, we known as out the steep asking worth. Nevertheless, that is now not a difficulty — yow will discover it for round $280 on websites like eBay. For that cash, it makes this the most effective outdated Samsung foldable cellphone you should purchase.

For the value, you get a Snapdragon 865 Plus, 12GB of RAM, and 256GB of inside storage in a cellphone that features a a lot bigger display screen if required. Lumping within the 7.6-inch foldable show makes this an important devoted sport emulation station or cross-continental vacationers.

The Galaxy Z Fold 2 is a major instance of how looking for an outdated Samsung cellphone makes loads of monetary sense. You’ll be able to’t discover a like-for-like various on this class and at this worth. Nevertheless, contemplating the character of its design, assume twice earlier than shopping for a secondhand foldable cellphone.

We wouldn’t name the Galaxy Z Flip 3 an outdated Samsung flip cellphone, but it surely’s not the brand new wine it as soon as was. Nonetheless, contemplating its worth used, it’s nicely value a punt should you like a very compact kind issue.

There’s not a lot you’re lacking out on going with the Galaxy Z Flip 3 as a substitute of the Flip 4. The previous packs a 6.7-inch AMOLED principal display screen, as much as 256GB of inside storage, the Snapdragon 888 SoC, and a pair of dependable 12MP major cameras. Battery life might be higher, however the cellphone stays a strong bundle.

Now, for the value. The Galaxy Z Flip 3 launched at a lofty $999, however we’ve discovered it for as little as $270 on eBay. For that worth, you may snag a Motorola G Stylus (2022) and a Google Pixel 6a should you get fortunate or can stretch your funds. However can you discover one other flip cellphone value shopping for at this worth in 2023? Not going.

We listed the most effective outdated Samsung telephones value shopping for in 2023, however there are many different gadgets it’s possible you’ll be contemplating. Right here’s what that you must learn about every:

• Samsung Galaxy S22 (Test pricing): The extra compact Galaxy S22 mannequin is value shopping for in 2023 because of its compact measurement, still-fresh Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 chipset, and 4 pending years of software program help.
• Samsung Galaxy S22 Extremely (Test pricing): Final yr’s Samsung flagship stays among the finest Samsung telephones you should purchase, even in 2023. It contains Be aware-inspired styling with an embedded S Pen, nice efficiency, and a flexible digital camera setup. Nevertheless, even used fashions calls for a excessive worth.
• Samsung Galaxy S21 FE (Test pricing): You’ll discover minor upgrades to the chipset, digital camera efficiency, and design with the Galaxy S21 FE over the S20 FE. Yow will discover it for round $230 on retailer websites. At that worth, it’s value contemplating should you worth an extra yr of software program help.
• Samsung Galaxy S21 (Test pricing): We’re not loopy about its styling, however yow will discover pre-owned Galaxy S21 fashions throughout the $200-300 bracket, making the compact flagship a succesful outdated Samsung cellphone to purchase in 2023, and one that offers newer mid-range Samsung telephones a run for his or her cash.
• Samsung Galaxy S21 Plus (Test pricing): Samsung’s latest iterative improve philosophy is clear with the Galaxy S21 Plus. Contemplating that the Galaxy S22 Plus makes for a significantly better purchase in 2023, we suggest choosing that cellphone as a substitute.
• Samsung Galaxy S20 and S20 Plus (Test pricing): Now three generations outdated, the Galaxy S20 and Galaxy S20 Plus are now not value shopping for when contemplating the Galaxy S22 lineup.
• Samsung Galaxy S20 Extremely (Test pricing): The S20 Extremely launched at $1,149, making it one of many dearer flagships you can purchase in 2020. In 2023, the 128GB storage mannequin could be had for round $300 renewed. That’s nonetheless expensive contemplating the Galaxy S21 Extremely is a extra rounded machine for a couple of bucks extra.
• Samsung Galaxy Be aware 20 sequence (Test pricing): The final Samsung Galaxy Be aware line can have some collector’s attraction, however is it value shopping for in 2023? In actuality, the Galaxy S21 Extremely makes extra sense because of its extra trendy {hardware} and longer software program help interval.
• Samsung Galaxy Be aware 10 sequence (Test pricing): The usual Be aware 10 could be had for beneath $200 should you’re fortunate, and that’s a wonderful worth for a cellphone with a stylus in 2023.
• Samsung Galaxy Be aware 8 (Test pricing): We don’t suggest shopping for the Galaxy Be aware 8 in 2023. Positive, it makes for a enjoyable artifact, however its chipset, battery life, and digital camera efficiency all fall brief in comparison with trendy rivals.
• Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 3 (Test pricing): If you happen to’re on the lookout for a more moderen foldable cellphone that doesn’t demand 4 figures, the Galaxy Z Fold 3 is an efficient machine to purchase if in case you have round $900 in your again pocket. We’d look forward to it to drop in worth earlier than pouncing, although.
• Samsung Galaxy Fold (Test pricing): Samsung’s unique foldable cellphone had many first-edition issues. We don’t suggest shopping for it as a severe each day driver in 2023.
• Samsung Galaxy Z Flip (Test pricing): Just like the Galaxy Fold, Samsung’s first foldable flip cellphone is greatest admired from afar. There are higher choices in 2023.
• Samsung Galaxy S9 (Test pricing): Not supported by Samsung, the Galaxy S9 and S9 Plus aren’t value shopping for in 2023, even when yow will discover it for round $100 on eBay.
• Samsung Galaxy S8 (Test pricing): The Galaxy S8 is simply formally upgradable to Android 9. The six-year-old cellphone will seemingly wrestle in opposition to most mid-range gadgets on processing energy and battery life stakes. We don’t suggest shopping for it in 2023.
• Samsung Galaxy A02S (Test pricing): Accessible for round $70, the A02S remains to be value shopping for in 2023 should you can stay with out a fingerprint sensor and processing energy.
• Samsung Galaxy A03S (Test pricing): The A03S provides a fingerprint reader and slightly extra RAM to Samsung’s funds line for round $120. It’s a great entry-level cellphone value shopping for in 2023 supplied you retain your expectations in verify.
• Samsung Galaxy A13 (Test pricing): Launched in 2022, the 6.6-inch quad-camera cellphone remains to be value shopping for in 2023, although the Galaxy A14 is now accessible.
• Samsung Galaxy A23 (Test pricing): Priced at $299, an outdated Samsung cellphone (just like the Galaxy S20 FE) could be value contemplating as a substitute of the Galaxy A23 in 2023.
• Samsung Galaxy A53 (Test pricing): The Galaxy A53 remains to be a wonderful mid-range cellphone. Nevertheless, with its worth hovering across the $350 mark, it might be value contemplating a barely older Samsung flagship or the ever-reliable Google Pixel 6a as a substitute.