Samsung is now selling refurbished Galaxy Z Fold 7 and Flip 7 phones — but there’s a catch

Source: Android Authority

TL;DR

• Samsung is now selling refurbished Galaxy Z Fold 7 and Galaxy Z Flip 7 units through its Certified Re‑Newed program, but there’s a pricing problem.
• While the certified refurbished models undercut official retail prices, the Certified Re‑Newed base models cost more than their new counterparts.
• Certified refurbished Galaxy Z Fold 7 and Galaxy Z Flip 7 variants are only cheaper than new models in higher‑storage configurations.

There are a handful of ways to save on a new Android flagship, including waiting for post‑launch discounts, taking advantage of pre‑order savings, and agreeing to carrier trade‑in promotions. Usually, buying an Android phone in certified refurbished condition is a solid way to save on a flashy new device. These are typically devices opened and returned to a retailer, and they’re backed by the usual warranties and return policies.

Samsung is now offering “Certified Re‑Newed” Galaxy Z Fold 7 and Galaxy Z Flip 7 models for purchase, but in a shocking twist, they won’t save you a dime compared to buying new. In fact, going with a certified refurbished Galaxy Z Fold 7 or Galaxy Z Flip 7 will run you more than choosing a brand‑new device. Samsung’s newsroom post announcing Certified Re‑Newed availability for its latest foldables makes the deal sound enticing at first glance.

The refurbished Galaxy Z Fold 7 takes $300 off the usual sticker price, while the refurbished Galaxy Z Flip 7 costs $160 less than retail.

However, the Galaxy Z Fold 7 and Galaxy Z Flip 7 are both more than six months old, and that means post‑launch discounts are everywhere. As first outlined by 9to5Google, current Galaxy foldable discounts position the new models cheaper than the certified refurbished ones. It ends up creating a puzzling lineup that gives discount shoppers little reason to pick a Certified Re‑Newed foldable over a brand‑new one.

Pricing Details

• New Galaxy Z Fold 7 (256 GB): $1,599.99 on Samsung’s online store (a $400 discount off the usual retail price).

• Certified Refurbished Galaxy Z Fold 7 (256 GB): $300 off the sticker price, resulting in a cost $100 higher than the new discounted model.

• Base‑model Galaxy Z Flip 7 (256 GB): currently discounted to $899.99.

• Certified Refurbished Galaxy Z Flip 7 (256 GB): priced at $939, $40 more than the new discounted price.

The deal starts to make a bit more sense if you need a higher storage capacity:

• Refurbished Galaxy Z Fold 7 (512 GB): $1,879, down from the current new price of $2,099.99 (original MSRP $2,499.99).

Still, when you can get a brand‑new Galaxy foldable complete with its original packaging for cheaper than a refurbished model, is there any point in opting for a Certified Re‑Newed device instead?