Refurbished Samsung Galaxy S24 vs S24+ UK: Which to Buy?

If you're trying to decide between a refurbished Samsung Galaxy S24 vs S24 Plus UK, you're choosing between two exceptional refurbished flagships that share the same processor, cameras, and seven-year software update promise — but differ significantly in screen size, battery, and charging speed. This guide gives you every detail you need to pick the right one for your budget and lifestyle.

Samsung Galaxy S24 vs S24+: Key Specs at a Glance

Display: Where the S24+ Pulls Ahead

This is the biggest visible difference between the two phones. The Galaxy S24 features a 6.2-inch FHD+ Dynamic AMOLED panel at 416ppi — crisp, punchy, and excellent for everyday tasks. The Galaxy S24+ steps up to a 6.7-inch QHD+ AMOLED display at 513ppi, offering noticeably sharper text, more detail in photos, and a more immersive experience for video streaming.

Both use Dynamic LTPO technology to scale the refresh rate between 1Hz and 120Hz depending on what's on screen, saving battery intelligently. The S24+ display is objectively superior, but unless you regularly watch long-form video or read extensively on your phone, the S24's screen is more than capable for daily use.

Battery Life and Charging Speed

The S24+ wins decisively on battery. Its 4,900mAh cell outlasts the S24's 4,000mAh by a meaningful margin — heavy users typically see 7–8 hours of screen-on time versus 5–6 hours on the S24. For most people, both phones comfortably last a full day, but the S24+ consistently pushes into the next morning.

Charging speed matters too. The S24+ supports 45W Super Fast Charging, getting you from empty to around 65% in 30 minutes. The S24 is capped at 25W, which means noticeably longer charge times when you're in a hurry. If you frequently need a quick top-up before heading out, this is a real-world difference worth considering.

Performance: Identical Chips, But the S24+ Has More RAM

Both phones run on the same Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 — one of the fastest mobile chips ever made. Gaming, video editing, multitasking, and running Galaxy AI features all feel equally smooth on either device.

The key difference is RAM: the S24 carries 8GB while the S24+ has 12GB. For the vast majority of users this won't be noticeable day-to-day, but if you're a power user who keeps many apps open simultaneously, or you plan to hold onto the phone for five-plus years and run increasingly demanding AI features, the extra memory is a useful buffer.

Cameras: Identical on Both Models

Here's the great equaliser — if cameras are your priority, both phones are identical:

• 50MP main camera with optical image stabilisation (OIS)
• 12MP ultrawide camera with a 120° field of view
• 10MP 3x optical telephoto with OIS
• 12MP selfie camera

Both also benefit from Samsung's ProVisual Engine and the full suite of Galaxy AI camera tools — including Generative Edit, Instant Slow-mo, and Photo Remaster. You will not take a better photo on the S24+ than on the S24. The camera system is completely identical.

Storage: S24+ Reaches 512GB

The S24 is available in 128GB and 256GB configurations. The S24+ starts at 256GB and goes up to 512GB. Neither phone includes a microSD card slot, so if you shoot lots of 4K video or prefer to keep files local, the S24+ gives you significantly more long-term headroom. For most users who rely on Google Photos or Samsung Cloud, 128–256GB is more than sufficient.

Design, Size, and Ergonomics

The S24 is a noticeably more pocketable phone at 167g and a narrower 70.6mm width. The S24+ weighs 196g and spans 75.9mm — it's a large phone that will challenge smaller hands or tighter pockets. Both share Samsung's flat-edge aluminium frame, Gorilla Glass Victus 2 front and back, and an IP68 water resistance rating — covering submersion up to 1.5 metres for 30 minutes.

Galaxy AI and Software Support: Both Get Seven Years

Samsung's landmark commitment to seven years of Android OS upgrades and security patches — guaranteed until 2031 — applies equally to both models. This makes either phone an outstanding long-term investment in the refurbished market, especially compared to older Samsung devices that maxed out at four years of support.

Both models support the full Galaxy AI feature set: Circle to Search, Live Translate, Chat Assist, Note Assist, and AI-powered photo editing tools. As Samsung expands its Galaxy AI capabilities with each software update, both phones will keep getting smarter throughout their supported lifespan.

Refurbished Prices in the UK (July 2026)

With the S24 series well into its lifecycle, refurbished prices have dropped considerably — making both phones exceptional value for flagship-level performance:

• Refurbished Galaxy S24 128GB (Grade A): from approximately £260
• Refurbished Galaxy S24 256GB (Grade A): from approximately £290–£330
• Refurbished Galaxy S24+ 256GB (Grade A): from approximately £360–£400
• Refurbished Galaxy S24+ 512GB (Grade A): from approximately £420–£450

Both models are available at refurb-phone.com, where every device is fully tested, professionally cleaned, and backed by a warranty. A Grade A refurbished model looks and performs like new at a fraction of the original retail price.

Which Should You Buy? Our Verdict

Choose the Refurbished Galaxy S24 if:

• You prefer a compact, lightweight phone that's easy to hold and pocket
• Your budget is around £260–£290
• You charge overnight and rarely need a mid-day top-up
• You don't regularly watch long-form video on your phone
• You want the best value entry point into flagship Samsung performance with Galaxy AI

Choose the Refurbished Galaxy S24+ if:

• You want a bigger, sharper QHD+ screen for video streaming, reading, and gaming
• Battery life is a daily priority and you want to comfortably last past midnight
• Faster 45W charging fits your on-the-go lifestyle
• You want up to 512GB of storage without relying on the cloud
• You're a power user who benefits from 12GB of RAM for multitasking

For most UK buyers deciding between a refurbished Samsung Galaxy S24 vs S24 Plus UK, the S24 is the smarter pick if budget and portability matter most. But if you can stretch to around £360, the S24+ is arguably the better long-term phone — larger screen, bigger battery, faster charging, and more RAM, all sharing the same seven-year software update guarantee.

Browse both models today at refurb-phone.com — choose your grade and storage option, and get a professionally refurbished Samsung flagship delivered to your door.