What you need to know
- Samsung has added the Galaxy Z Fold 7 and Flip 7 to its Certified Re-Newed program, but the current math doesn’t work.
- In a strange pricing twist, a new base Z Fold 7 or Flip 7 currently costs between $40 and $100 less than their refurbished counterparts.
- The Re-Newed program only makes financial sense if you are looking for high-capacity models, like the 1TB Fold 7.
If you have been interested in the latest folding technology but I haven’t had the luxury of spending a lot of money, Samsung just made things interesting. The company has now included the Galaxy Z Fold 7 and Galaxy Z Flip 7 in its Certified Re-Newed program in the US. However, calling them “cheap” may be a stretch.
Samsung’s program for refurbished phones sounds promising: These are phones that the Korean tech giant has recovered, given new batteries, repaired and tested. You usually get the same warranty as a new phone, but not the new feel.
However, refurbished base models currently cost $100 more than new devices, as noted 9to5Google.
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Renovated costs more than new
Let’s analyze it. A renovated Galaxy Z Fold 7 with 256GB of storage costs $1,699 through the Re-Newed program. That’s $300 less than the original price of $1,999. It sounds good at first, but there’s more to the story.
At the moment, Samsung’s own store offers a new and sealed product. Z Fold 7 (256GB) for $1,599. That’s not a mistake. In fact, you pay less for a new device than for a refurbished one.
Android Central’s opinion
Samsung’s efforts to promote a circular economy and reduce e-waste are commendable. However, charging more for a refurbished device than a new one does not equate to genuine sustainability. It’s just putting a “certified” label on a bad business and hoping people don’t shop around.
The same happens with the Flip 7– The refurbished base model costs $939, while a new one costs discounted to $899.
However, if you need a lot of storage, the numbers change. The refurbished 1TB Fold 7 costs $1,879. Compared to the current new price of $2,099, the refurbished option actually saves you money. For those who need plenty of space for offline videos and maps, the renewed deal makes sense.
However, for most people, this price doesn’t add up. Samsung probably created this program for buyers who don’t compare prices. If you’re a careful shopper, you’ll simply find the lowest price on the new phone and choose that instead.
