Flagship power at mid-range prices. Buy refurb, save big.
Pros & Cons
Why We Like It
Should You Buy This Or New?
| Cost | Refurbished: $334.00 | New: $766.00 |
|---|---|---|
| Performance | Same chip, screen, and cameras | Same phone hardware |
| Software | Security support until 2031 | Same software support |
| Savings | $432.00 | $0 saved |
Unless you specifically need a sealed retail box, buying refurbished is the better-value move here.
Key Specs
| Display | 6.2-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X, 120Hz, 2340 x 1080 |
| Processor | Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 |
| RAM | 8GB |
| Main Camera | 50MP + 12MP + 10MP triple camera |
| Battery | 4000 mAh, wireless charging |
| Weight | 167g |
| Water Resistance | Not specified in available data |
Our Review
The Galaxy S24 is a genuinely capable flagship smartphone. It runs Snapdragon 8 Gen 3, the same processor you'd find in phones costing £1,000+, paired with 8GB of RAM and a 4000 mAh battery that gets you through a full day of heavy use without breaking a sweat. The 6.2-inch Dynamic AMOLED display is bright, sharp, and responsive at 120Hz—good enough that you won't feel like you're missing out versus larger flagships. Samsung's put real thought into this design: it's light at 167g and feels premium in hand, with the refined engineering you expect from their S-series.
Day-to-day performance is exactly what you'd expect from a flagship in 2026. Apps launch instantly, multitasking is seamless, and gaming performance is rock solid. The Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 is still more than capable of handling anything Android throws at it, and software updates should keep this phone relevant for several years. You won't notice yourself waiting for anything to load or respond.
The camera setup is genuinely good. A 50MP main sensor with optical stabilisation handles most situations well, backed by a 12MP ultrawide and 10MP telephoto. In good light it's sharp and punchy; in low light you'll see the difference versus the S23 Ultra's 200MP sensor, but it's honest and detailed enough for most users. Battery life is solid but not exceptional—you're getting a day's use in normal conditions, maybe stretching to a day and a half if you're careful. The 4000 mAh capacity is the main constraint here.
Here's where the refurbished angle makes real sense: buying from Back Market at $304–$505 saves you hundreds versus a new S24. You're getting a flagship processor and build quality without the new-phone premium. The only genuine drawback is that Samsung's software support policy isn't as generous as Google's—you're looking at around four to five years of updates, not the six to seven years Pixels get. That's still solid, but worth knowing if longevity is your priority.
Full Specifications
Frequently Asked Questions
Absolutely. The Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 is still fast enough to handle demanding games, heavy multitasking, and anything else you throw at it. Performance isn't the reason to upgrade—if your current phone works, the S24 won't feel dramatically faster. But as a mid-range refurbished buy, it's a solid, future-proof choice that'll serve you well for several years.
our recommended retailers grades refurbished phones into categories like 'Like New', 'Good', and 'Fair'—each comes fully tested, professionally cleaned, and with replacement parts as needed. You'll get the phone in working condition with minimal cosmetic wear, though the specific grade affects price. Check the listing for the exact condition grade of the unit you're buying.
You're looking at £200–£300+ in savings depending on condition and storage. our recommended retailers' refurbished S24 ranges from roughly £305–£505, versus £700+ for a new unit. That's a real saving without sacrificing performance or reliability—this is where the refurbished angle genuinely makes financial sense.
our recommended retailers typically includes a 30-day return window and their standard warranty on refurbished devices. The exact terms depend on the grade purchased, so check your order details. This protection gives you peace of mind if something's wrong, though in practice these phones are well-tested before shipping.
The S24 comes in 256GB and 512GB variants. For most users, 256GB is plenty unless you're storing lots of videos or photos locally—cloud storage handles most needs these days. The price difference between storage tiers is usually significant enough that 256GB makes sense unless you specifically know you'll fill it.
If you want a fast, reliable Android phone with excellent cameras and don't need the latest model, the S24 refurbished is a smart choice—especially if you're upgrading from a phone that's three or four years old and want real performance without the flagship price tag.
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