Eleven months. That's how long it took for the Samsung Galaxy S25 to show up as a refurbished device in Germany. Normally it takes 14 to 16 months before Samsung flagships become available refurbished. This time it went much faster.
Since January 13, 2026, you can buy the S25 refurbished. The question is: Should you? Or are you better off with the cheaper S24 or S23?
Why Is the S25 Already Available Refurbished?
Samsung launched the Certified Re-Newed program in Germany, France, and the UK in January 2026. Hence the quick availability. It's not about mass returns, but the program launch itself.
The devices come from various sources: demo units from stores, returns within the withdrawal period, exchanges due to defects. Samsung promises top quality. Each device goes through over 100 tests before being sold. The warranty? Same as a new device: 1 year.
Consumer Reports tested it: Properly refurbished and renewed devices? Indistinguishable from new ones. At least performance-wise.
The Prices: This Gets Interesting
The current prices surprised me. And not in a good way.
Samsung S25 Refurbished (Certified Re-Newed):
S25 (256 GB): from €769
S25+ (256 GB): from €979
S25 Ultra (256 GB): from €1,239
€769 for a refurbished phone? Sounds like a bargain. It isn't always. Heise.de found out that new S25 models with carrier promotions or trade-in deals are sometimes cheaper.
For comparison: a refurbished S23 from third-party sellers like Refurbed or Back Market starts around €519. The S24 refurbished begins at roughly €600. You can compare current Samsung smartphone prices at refurbito to find the best deal.
Wait for S25 or Buy S24/S23 Now?
This question doesn't have a one-size-fits-all answer. I'll show you three scenarios:
Scenario 1: You Need a Phone and Want to Save
Buy the S23 refurbished. Seriously. That device has the best value right now. Compare S23 offers from the best sellers and save up to 40% compared to new devices.
Samsung delivers updates until 2029. Bonus: The S23 Ultra is the last Samsung flagship with true 10x optical zoom. Samsung removed it from the S24 and S25.
Scenario 2: You Can Wait Two to Three Months
Wait for new device promotions on the S25. With carrier deals, trade-in offers, or seasonal sales, you'll often save more than buying refurbished. Sounds crazy, but it's true: Heise.de proved exactly that.
Scenario 3: You Absolutely Want the S25 Refurbished
Then go for the Samsung Galaxy S25 refurbished. Quality is solid, warranty too. But do the price comparison first. Otherwise you'll kick yourself two weeks later over a €100 difference.
What Makes the S25 Better Than the S24 or S23?
If you're wondering whether to buy the S25 or S24 refurbished and whether the upgrades justify the price difference:
Processor: Snapdragon 8 Elite (faster, more energy-efficient)
RAM: 12 GB instead of 8 GB
AI Features: Galaxy AI is more refined
Updates: 7 years (until 2032)
The S24 gets updates until 2031, the S23 until 2029. For most users, that's plenty. Check out all Samsung Galaxy models compared to find the right generation for your needs.
The processor difference between S24 and S25 is barely noticeable in daily use. Unless you render 4K videos or game with maximum graphics settings.
Typical Refurbished Timeline: What's Next?
Samsung traditionally releases refurbished models around Earth Day in April. The S24 landed in the CRN program in April 2025. The S22 in April 2023.
My prediction: S25 prices at Samsung CRN will only really drop when the S26 gets announced. Probably early 2027. Until then, third-party sellers like Refurbed, Back Market, or Rebuy often offer better deals. In our comprehensive seller comparison, you'll find out which provider is best for you.
The refurbished market is growing, by the way. According to Mordor Intelligence, it will reach $96.99 billion by 2031. With 430 million devices sold worldwide. The demand is there.
My Verdict
The Samsung Galaxy S25 refurbished is here. Faster than expected. Quality is good, Samsung's CRN program has solid standards.
But: prices aren't where they should be yet. For true bargain hunters, the S23 or S24 refurbished is currently the better choice. Or wait for new device deals on the S25.
You absolutely want the S25 and value sustainability? Then the refurbished device fits. But do the price comparison first. Otherwise you'll kick yourself two weeks later over a €100 difference.
