Galaxy S23 Plus – Black – 256GB

The Galaxy S23 Plus 256GB is worth considering in 2026, mainly because the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 has not aged badly. It handles current apps and games without slowing down, and 8GB of RAM means you can keep several things open at once without the phone struggling. The 6.6-inch 120Hz AMOLED screen still looks good next to newer phones at the same refurbished price. Colour accuracy is solid and outdoor brightness is high enough for most conditions. At a refurbished price, the value calculation is simple. You get 256GB of storage, a capable triple camera setup with a proper telephoto lens, IP68 water resistance, and 45W fast charging. The one-year warranty removes most of the risk. If you want a reliable large-screen Android without paying for a brand-new handset, the refurbished Galaxy S23 Plus is a reasonable pick right now.

The S23 Plus runs a 50MP main sensor with optical image stabilisation, and in decent light it produces clean, detailed shots. Colour handling leans slightly warm but stays natural rather than over-processed. The 12MP ultra-wide is useful for tight spaces and group shots, and distortion at the edges is controlled well. The 10MP telephoto offers genuine 3x optical zoom, which gives real flexibility for portraits or shooting subjects at a distance without heavy cropping. Low-light performance is reasonable. The main sensor handles most indoor situations, though very dark environments show the limits of the sensor even with night mode active. Video recording goes up to 8K at 30fps or 4K at 60fps, and stabilisation works reliably at 4K. The 12MP front camera is solid for video calls and everyday selfies. Auto-focus on the front camera is a practical detail that many phones at this price level leave out.

The 4700mAh battery in the S23 Plus is a step up from the base S23, and it shows in daily use. A full day of browsing, streaming, and some photography is manageable without worrying about finding a charger. Heavy days involving navigation, gaming, and long calls will likely need a top-up by evening. Refurbished units sold here have battery health checked as part of the grading process. Only handsets that meet a minimum health threshold are listed, so you are not buying a phone with a degraded cell. Charging at 45W wired is quick; the battery goes from around 20 percent to full in roughly 50 minutes. Wireless charging at 15W is slower but useful overnight. Reverse wireless charging at 4.5W is available if you want to top up earbuds or a compatible smartwatch from the phone.

A few things are worth checking before buying a refurbished Galaxy S23 Plus. First, confirm the listed grade. Grade A means minimal cosmetic marks, Grade B may have more visible scuffs. Both grades are fully functional, but knowing upfront avoids surprises when the phone arrives. The S23 Plus has no microSD card slot, so 256GB is the total storage available. That is enough for most users, but worth factoring in if you store a lot of video locally. Make sure the listing confirms the phone is unlocked. This unit is fully unlocked and works across all major UK networks. The IP68 rating covers dust and water resistance to 1.5 metres for 30 minutes under test conditions, but avoid deliberately submerging a refurbished unit. Samsung does not include a charger in the box for new S23 Plus phones, and refurbished units follow the same approach