67% of 18-to-24-year-olds actively look for cheaper tech options. EE UK seems to have noticed. The British mobile carrier launched its new refurbished program on January 22, 2026. And the student deal is pretty solid.
What EE Is Offering
Starting at £31 per month, you can get refurbished smartphones on Flex Pay. That means installments spread over up to 36 months. The lineup includes the Samsung Galaxy S22, S23, and S24 plus the iPhone 12, 13, and 14.
Every device goes through a 53-point quality check. Battery, camera, ports, speakers. Everything gets tested. You also get genuine parts and a warranty that covers the entire contract period.
The Student Discount
Students get 40% off their monthly airtime costs. On a Samsung Galaxy S24, that's up to £12 saved each month. Over the full contract, you're looking at nearly £300 in savings.
The catch? You need a Student Beans account and must be registered at a UK university. Enter the code when ordering. Can't apply it later.
Why EE Is Doing This Now
Sharon Meadows, EE's marketing chief, put it this way: "Refurbished is now mainstream, with younger customers leading the way." The numbers back her up. 57% of young adults prefer buying refurbished tech because it's better for the environment. 55% actually feel proud about it.
EE calls this target group "Tech Thrifters." People who want to save on tech without sacrificing quality. The devices ship in recycled EE packaging with a genuine charging cable.
What This Means for the Market
The program is UK-only for now. But the trend is clear. Major mobile carriers are getting into the refurbished business. In Germany, specialized retailers like refurbed and Back Market have dominated this space so far.
If you're looking for refurbished phones in Germany, refurbito compares prices across the best retailers. Some offer student discounts too, just not quite as generous as EE's.
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