Samsung Galaxy S25 Refurbished: Is It Worth It in 2026?

Key points
- The refurbished Samsung Galaxy S25 costs approximately €450 at iOutlet, compared to €1,099 for a new one
- Retains 90% of the S25 Ultra’s performance for less than half the price, but loses the 100x optical zoom
- The S25 receives Samsung updates until 2031, with seven years confirmed by the brand
- The 4,000 mAh battery is the Achilles’ heel: identical to the S24, with no gain over the previous generation

In this article

1. Samsung Galaxy S25: what changed from the S24
2. Price: where the refurbished S25 wins
3. Performance: Snapdragon 8 Elite in refurbished
4. Cameras: the real gain over the S24
5. Battery: the S25's weak point
6. Refurbished S25 vs new S24: which to choose
7. S25 vs iPhone 16: catalogue comparison
8. What conditions to check before buying
9. Frequently asked questions
10. Is it worth buying a refurbished Galaxy S25 in 2026?
11. How much does a refurbished Galaxy S25 cost in Portugal?
12. What is the difference between a refurbished Galaxy S25 and a new one?
13. Refurbished S25 or new S24?
14. How long does the refurbished Galaxy S25 battery last?
15. How long does the Galaxy S25 receive updates for?
16. Where to buy a refurbished Galaxy S25 with a warranty in Portugal?
17. Verdict: yes, it is worth it

Samsung Galaxy S25: what changed from the S24

Samsung launched the Galaxy S25 in January 2025 with the Snapdragon 8 Elite for Galaxy, a 50 MP camera with a larger sensor, and a slimmer body (7.2 mm vs 7.6 mm on the S24). The battery remains at 4,000 mAh, which is honestly frustrating.

The real-world gain over the S24 is 15-20% in raw performance, according to AnTuTu tests published in February 2025. In daily use the difference is rarely noticeable. The camera improved in low light and in 4K 60 fps video with refined optical stabilisation.

_{Reference date: iOutlet prices as of 25 July 2026. Check the current catalogue.}

buy refurbished Samsung Galaxy S25

Price: where the refurbished S25 wins

For a phone released 18 months ago, paying £450 instead of £1,099 saves £649. It is half the price of a new iPhone 16, but with hardware equivalent in performance.

Performance: Snapdragon 8 Elite in refurbished

The Snapdragon 8 Elite for Galaxy delivers a peak of 3.5 GHz, Adreno 830 GPU. In AnTuTu v11 tests it scores 1.7 million points, 23% above the S24 with 8 Gen 3.

For demanding games (Genshin Impact, Call of Duty Warzone) the S25 maintains 60 fps at 1080p without overheating excessively. The S24 drops frames due to thermal management that lowers brightness. The difference is noticeable.

Quote: The refurbished Samsung Galaxy S25 offers a Snapdragon 8 Elite for Galaxy chip with 1.7 million AnTuTu points, maintaining 60 fps in AAA games without excessive heating, for approximately £450 at iOutlet (July 2026), half the price of new and 23% faster than the Galaxy S24.

Cameras: the real gain over the S24

The main camera keeps 50MP but with a larger sensor (1/1.56" vs 1/1.65" on the S24). Translation: 24% more light in low-light conditions. Night mode is visibly better in urban night photography.

The 12MP ultra-wide and 10MP telephoto (3x optical) return from the S24. The main evolution lies in software: Galaxy AI processing with improved skin and sky retouching.

Battery: the S25's weak point

4,000 mAh. The same capacity as the S24. For 2026 this is low when the iPhone 16 has 3,561 mAh but optimised by iOS, and the Google Pixel 9 has 4,700 mAh.

In real-world use: 5 to 6 hours of screen-on time with moderate use (WhatsApp, Instagram, GPS navigation, music streaming). On a working day, leaving at 8 am and returning at 7 pm with 25% battery remaining. Not enough for a day of heavy use.

25 W fast charging included. Full charge in 1 hr 15 min. No full charge in 30 minutes like the Pixel or OnePlus.

If battery is a priority, consider the S25+ (4,900 mAh) or the S25 Ultra (5,000 mAh).

Refurbished S25 vs new S24: which to choose

The common question when buying: is a refurbished S25 worth it versus a new S24?

For most, the refurbished S25 wins thanks to a £250 saving and three extra years of updates.

S25 vs iPhone 16: catalogue comparison

The classic debate. Refurbished, the iPhone 16 costs around £750 at iOutlet; the S25 sits at £450.

The difference is personal. iOS offers a better Apple ecosystem; Samsung gives a 120Hz screen, real optical zoom, and a saving of 300 euros.

What conditions to check before buying

Before accepting a refurbished Galaxy S25, confirm:

1. Cosmetic grade: iOutlet uses grades A (no visible marks), B (minor marks), C (visible wear). For a recent S25, grade A is possible without a large price difference.
2. Battery: tested with professional diagnostic software before sale.
3. Network unlock guarantee: SIM-free for any UK network. iOutlet supplies only unlocked phones.
4. Screen free from burn-in: OLED can develop burn-in on display models. Confirmed during diagnostics.
5. Charger included: Samsung does not include a charger with the new S25. iOutlet supplies a USB-C cable and 25W adapter sold separately or as a bundle.

how the iOutlet warranty works

Frequently asked questions

Is it worth buying a refurbished Galaxy S25 in 2026?

Yes. The refurbished S25 costs around €450 at iOutlet, compared to €1,099 for a new one. It retains 90% of the S25 Ultra’s performance, an improved 50MP camera over the S24, and 7 years of Samsung updates until 2031. In 2026 it is the best-value flagship Samsung in Portugal.

How much does a refurbished Galaxy S25 cost in Portugal?

Approximately €450 for the 128GB version and €520 for the 256GB version at iOutlet, with a 24-month warranty and a 14-day exchange period. Ultra versions cost between €750 and €830 depending on capacity.

What is the difference between a refurbished Galaxy S25 and a new one?

Practically none visibly. The refurbished unit has passed 40 diagnostic tests and may show minor signs of wear (Grade A: no visible marks). Functionally identical. 24-month warranty, only the packaging differs, and the price is 50-60% lower.

Refurbished S25 or new S24?

Refurbished S25. For £250 less, you get 3 extra years of Samsung updates (until 2031), a 23% faster chip, and an improved camera. The S24 stops receiving updates in 2028.

How long does the refurbished Galaxy S25 battery last?

4,000 mAh, corresponding to 5 to 6 hours of screen-on time with moderate use. Full charge in 1h 15min with a 25W charger. For heavy use consider the S25+ (4,900 mAh) or S25 Ultra (5,000 mAh).

How long does the Galaxy S25 receive updates for?

Samsung confirmed 7 years of security and Android updates for the S25, until January 2031. It launched with Android 15 and will receive Android 16, 17 and 18. With a refurbished device the clock does not reset; the total of 7 years counts from January 2025.

Where to buy a refurbished Galaxy S25 with a warranty in Portugal?

iOutlet.pt offers the refurbished Galaxy S25 with a 24-month warranty, 40 diagnostic checkpoints, 14 days for exchange, and delivery in up to 8 working days. National stock, company based in Coimbra, 100% online, Portugal. Alternatives include Worten Outlet and Amazon Renewed.

Verdict: yes, it is worth it

For £450 you get a smartphone that cost £1,099 18 months ago. It retains the 7 years of updates. Camera better than the S24. Premium build with aluminium and Gorilla Glass Victus 2.

The Achilles heel is the 4,000 mAh battery. If intensive use is part of your day, investing in the S25+ or S25 Ultra is justified.

For the price, it is the best Samsung you can buy without paying the new launch price.

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