What you need to know
- Samsung has added the Galaxy Z Fold 7 and Flip 7 to its Certified Re-Newed program, but the existing math is broken.
- In a strange price swing, a brand new base Z Fold 7 or Flip 7 is currently $40 to $100 cheaper than their refurbished counterparts.
- The Refurbished program only makes financial sense if you’re looking for high-capacity models like the 1TB Fold 7.
If you were wondering the latest folding technology but didn’t have the luxury to spend top dollar, Samsung just did interesting things. The company has now included the Galaxy Z Fold 7 and Galaxy Z Flip 7 in the Certified Re-Newed program in the US, but calling them “cheap” might be a stretch.
Samsung’s refurbished phones program sounds promising: these are phones that the Korean tech giant has taken back, given new batteries, repaired and tested. You usually get the same warranty as a new phone, it just doesn’t feel like new.
However, the updated base models are currently $100 more than the new devices, as he points out 9 to 5 Google.
Article continues below
Repairs are expensive again
Let’s break it down. Updated Galaxy Z Fold 7 It’s $1,699 with 256GB of storage through Re-Newed. That’s $300 less than the original $1,999 price. It sounds good at first, but there is more to the story.
Currently, Samsung’s own store is offering new, sealed Z Fold 7 (256GB) for $1,599. This is not a mistake. You pay less for a new device than a refurbished one.
Android Central’s Take
Samsung’s efforts to promote a circular economy and reduce e-waste are commendable. However, charging more for a refurbished device compared to a new one does not equate to true durability. It’s just putting a “certified” label on a bad deal and hoping people don’t compare prices.
The same thing happens with Flip 7: Refurbished base model is $939, new Up to $899 off.
But if you need a lot of storage, the numbers change. The updated 1TB Fold 7 is priced at $1,879. Compared to the current $2,099 new price, the refurbished option actually saves you money. For those who need a lot of space for videos and offline maps, the Remastered deal makes sense.
For most people, this cost doesn’t add up. Samsung probably created this app for shoppers who don’t compare prices. If you’re a careful shopper, you’ll find a lower price on a new phone and go for it instead.
