Pondering Points before Procuring a Revamped Samsung Galaxy S21
For folks who aren't swimming in coins for a fresh flagship device, Samsung is now offering "reconditioned" versions of the Galaxy S21 series from last year at a reduced cost. Yes, they spell it that way.
These revamped Galaxy S21 gadgets are now up for pre-purchase in the Samsung Revitalized Store. The store offers smartphones at an affordable price for those on a budget who desire flagship features and aren't fussed about wielding the previous generation's hardware. The options for pre-purchase include the Galaxy S21, Galaxy S21+, and the Galaxy S21 Ultra.
Samsung declares that its Revitalized smartphones undergo "detailed examination and upgrade to nearly-new condition" in their factories. Only Samsung-approved parts and batteries are used to refurbish the devices. Each device in the program comes with a one-year warranty, identical to that which covers new Galaxy smartphones.
The basic Galaxy S21 model with 128GB storage starts at $675 when purchased via the Revitalized plan, which is approximately $124 less than the MSRP for a new device. The Galaxy S21+ and Galaxy S21 Ultra, both with 128GB of base storage, start at $850 and $1000 respectively. Samsung is offering a $100 credit to those who pre-order before April 21.
Should I Purchase a Revitalized Samsung Galaxy?
If this seems like a bargain, there are few factors to consider before buying a revitalized smartphone. Firstly, last year's Galaxy S21 Ultra is not identical to this year's Galaxy S22 Ultra, which means you're not getting the Galaxy Note successor, complete with a stylus included. The revitalized program does include the Note 10 in its lineup, but I would caution against a two-year-old device considering Samsung's approach to software updates. The more recent you buy a new smartphone, the less time you have until software updates are no longer available, even with Samsung's promise of three generations of software updates and four years of security updates.
You'll also want to conduct a price comparison if you're considering this year's and last year's Samsung flagship models. For instance, if you find the aesthetic of the S21 Ultra appealing and aren't bothered about the lack of an integrated S Pen, $1000 is not a steep price for a device with similar camera capabilities as its successor, which starts at $200 more with just 8GB of RAM. The S21 Ultra also has 12GB of RAM as standard, which I always recommend for power users seeking longevity. In a nutshell, that extra RAM helps immensely in the long term.
As for choosing between the regular Galaxy S21 and S22 series, first assess how much you can lower the cost of the latter through device trade-in. The S22 features an upgraded camera system from the S21, a longer-lasting battery, and its new look and colorways might appeal to you more. The S22 series starts at $800 and $1000. Swapping to the Galaxy S22+ by trading in an old smartphone could help bring down the cost to a point where you wouldn't need to consider the regular Galaxy S21 for $850.
The revitalized program does not include the Galaxy S21 FE, or “Fan Edition,” which is a line that provides premium hardware at a more reasonable price point. As I noted in my review of the device, it's not worth investing in last year's pared-down specs, even at $700.
The Galaxy S21 and S21 Ultra are now available for pre-purchase through the Revitalized program. They'll officially go on sale starting April 22 on Samsung.com and at select retailers starting April 28.
The pre-purchase period for the tech-upgraded Galaxy S21, S21+, and S21 Ultra in the Samsung Revitalized Store extends into the future, offering flagship features at budget-friendly prices. With Samsung's commitment to using only approved parts and batteries during refurbishment, these devices come equipped with a one-year warranty just like new Galaxy smartphones.
Moving forward, Samsung's Revitalized program provides an opportunity to acquire last year's Galaxy S21 models at a lower cost, starting from $675 for the basic Galaxy S21. Considering the reduced price and comparable camera capabilities, the S21 Ultra could be an attractive choice, especially for power users who value the device's 12GB of RAM.
