Considering a foldable smartphone but deterred by the premium price tag? Samsung has unveiled a significant new pathway into its cutting-edge foldable ecosystem. For the first time, the tech giant is offering “Re-Newed” versions of its popular Galaxy Z Fold 5 and Galaxy Z Flip 5. This launch expands Samsung’s trusted refurbishment program to foldables, presenting a compelling, more affordable option for those eager to experience the future of mobile tech. But are these refurbished models a smart investment, especially with newer and competing devices on the market? Let’s dive deep into what these “Re-Newed” devices offer and whether they align with your needs.
Understanding Samsung’s Certified Re-Newed Program
Samsung’s “Certified Re-Newed” program isn’t new; it’s long been a reliable source for previous-generation flagship smartphones, typically rolled out around Earth Day. However, the inclusion of foldables marks a strategic shift. When you purchase a “Re-Newed” device, you’re not just getting a used phone. Samsung assures buyers that each unit is meticulously serviced by Samsung specialists, using 100% genuine Samsung parts, including a certified new battery. Every “Re-Newed” phone also comes with a full one-year manufacturer’s warranty, mirroring that of a brand-new device, with the additional option to upgrade to Samsung’s Care+ plans for extended protection. This commitment to quality and support is crucial for building consumer trust in refurbished premium devices.
The Galaxy Z Fold 5 Re-Newed: Is It Still a Contender?
The Galaxy Z Fold 5, though succeeded by newer iterations, remains a powerful and versatile book-style foldable. Now available in a “Re-Newed” state, it aims to offer a premium experience at a reduced cost. Priced at $1,169 for the 256GB model and $1,219 for the 512GB version (both in Phantom Black), it’s a substantial saving over its original price.
Under the hood, the Z Fold 5 packs a perfectly solid Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 SoC, ensuring smooth performance for most tasks, from multitasking to gaming. While its design might feel bulkier compared to the dramatically thinner Galaxy Z Fold 7, and its cover screen less optimized than its successors, it still provides a large, immersive inner display. A key consideration for buyers is software support: the Re-Newed Fold 5 has three years of security updates remaining from its original five-year guarantee. This is a noticeable difference from Samsung’s latest policy of seven years for newer devices. For users prioritizing a larger, tablet-like experience without the bleeding-edge price, the Fold 5 Re-Newed could be an appealing choice, especially with trade-in offers potentially reducing the price further.
The Galaxy Z Flip 5 Re-Newed: Value in a Clamshell?
The clamshell-style Galaxy Z Flip 5, now part of the “Re-Newed” lineup, arguably presents an even more compelling value proposition. With prices set at $650 for the 256GB model and $700 for the 512GB version (both in Graphite), it offers a significantly more accessible entry point into foldable technology.
The Flip 5’s successor, the Galaxy Z Flip 7, brought incremental changes rather than a complete overhaul in terms of design or raw horsepower. This makes the “Re-Newed” Flip 5 a surprisingly capable phone, even looking ahead to 2025. It boasts a larger cover display (Flex Window) than its predecessors and a robust internal display. Like the Fold 5, the trade-off is typically fewer years of future security patches compared to brand-new models. For those seeking a stylish, compact foldable that fits easily into a pocket and delivers strong performance for everyday use, the “Re-Newed” Flip 5 appears to be a very attractive deal, saving hundreds compared to new models while delivering a very similar user experience to the immediate successor.
Strategic Play: Why No Z Fold 6 in the Re-Newed Lineup?
A notable absence from Samsung’s initial “Re-Newed” foldable offerings is the Galaxy Z Fold 6. This decision raises questions about Samsung’s strategy. One theory suggests Samsung wants to steer consumers directly towards its latest flagship, the Galaxy Z Fold 7. The Z Fold 7 is a significant step forward, featuring a much wider cover display, a thinner and lighter design, and a flagship-grade 200MP main camera, making it feel more like a traditional smartphone when folded.
Another plausible reason for holding back the Fold 6 could be the current costs associated with its repair and refurbishment. The intricate engineering and potentially higher component costs for a slightly newer model might make it unviable to refurbish and sell at a “market-acceptable price point” that differentiates it sufficiently from a brand-new Fold 7, which starts at $1,999. This move ensures that the “Re-Newed” Fold 5 retains its distinct, more affordable niche.
Navigating the Broader Foldable Market: Re-Newed vs. New and Rivals
The foldable market is rapidly evolving, making the decision to buy a “Re-Newed” device part of a larger comparison.
Samsung’s Latest Generation: Z Fold 7 and Flip 7
Samsung’s newest foldables, the Galaxy Z Fold 7 and Z Flip 7, showcase significant advancements. The Z Fold 7, starting at $1,999, is dramatically thinner and lighter, boasts a 200MP camera from the S25 Ultra, and integrates new Galaxy AI features. Its hinge and display durability have improved. Similarly, the Z Flip 7 ($1,099) features larger displays and a slightly bigger battery. Both new models come with Samsung’s impressive seven-year software update pledge, a major advantage for long-term users. However, battery capacity and charging speeds on the new models still lag some competitors.
Crucially, Samsung also introduced the Galaxy Z Flip 7 FE this year, a new, more affordable foldable priced at $899. This device offers similar display sizes to the standard Flip 7 but uses a slightly less powerful Exynos 2400e chipset and a 4,000 mAh battery. The Flip 7 FE positions itself as a direct competitor to the “Re-Newed” Flip 5, offering a brand-new device with a full warranty and newer components at a slightly higher price point.
Beyond Samsung: Competing Foldables
The “Re-Newed” Samsung foldables don’t exist in a vacuum. Competitors are constantly innovating, often offering newer hardware at comparable price points:
Google Pixel 9 Pro Fold: Praised for its excellent Google AI features and a usable external screen that feels like a regular phone, it recently saw price drops to compete with the refurbished Fold 5.
Motorola Razr Line: Motorola offers predictable Snapdragon chips and diverse finishes, with models like the 2025 Moto Razr selling at a similar price point to the “Re-Newed” Flip 5.
Oppo Find N5: Regarded as one of the most refined and beautifully designed foldables, it’s insanely thin with a large main display and boasts a powerful Snapdragon 8 Elite chip and massive 5,600mAh battery. Its main drawback is limited availability outside of Asia.
Honor Magic V3 & Vivo X Fold 3 Pro: These thin, high-performance, and long-lasting battery foldables are strong contenders but also face limited global availability.
These alternatives highlight that buyers have more choices than ever when considering a foldable, whether new or refurbished.
Is a Re-Newed Foldable Right for You? Key Considerations
Deciding on a “Re-Newed” Galaxy Z Fold 5 or Flip 5 depends entirely on your priorities and budget.
Budget vs. Features: If cost is paramount, the “Re-Newed” options offer significant savings for premium foldable tech. However, weigh these savings against the cost of an affordable new foldable like the Galaxy Z Flip 7 FE.
Software Updates: Be aware of the shorter software update window for the “Re-Newed” devices compared to Samsung’s latest seven-year promise. If long-term software support is critical, a brand-new device is likely a better fit.
Design & Durability: While “Re-Newed” devices come with new batteries and genuine parts, they are still based on older designs. Newer foldables, particularly the Z Fold 7, offer enhanced thinness, lighter builds, and improved hinge/display durability (e.g., Armor FlexHinge, stronger glass). Foldable technology has significantly advanced in recent years, with devices like the Z Fold 4 rated for over 200,000 folds.
Camera & Performance: Both “Re-Newed” models still offer solid performance and capable cameras. However, the latest flagship foldables like the Z Fold 7 feature significant camera upgrades (e.g., 200MP sensor) and the absolute newest processors.
- AI Features: Samsung’s latest devices heavily integrate Galaxy AI. While some AI features might backport to older models, the full suite and future AI advancements will primarily reside on the newest hardware.
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Ultimately, “Re-Newed” foldables are ideal for first-time foldable buyers or those upgrading from a much older traditional smartphone who want to experience Samsung’s foldable ecosystem at a more accessible price point. They are a less compelling upgrade for owners of the immediate previous generation of foldables (e.g., Z Fold 6 or Z Flip 6), who might benefit more from the incremental improvements and extended software support of a brand-new Z Fold 7 or Z Flip 7.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Samsung’s Certified Re-Newed program for foldables?
Samsung’s Certified Re-Newed program ensures that refurbished Galaxy Z Fold 5 and Flip 5 devices are meticulously serviced by Samsung specialists. They use 100% genuine Samsung parts, including a certified new battery. Each “Re-Newed” device comes with a full one-year manufacturer’s warranty, similar to new devices, and offers the option to purchase Samsung Care+ plans for additional protection. This program aims to provide high-quality, reliable, and more affordable access to Samsung’s premium technology.
Are “Re-Newed” Galaxy Z Fold 5 or Flip 5 models a good deal compared to new foldables?
“Re-Newed” Galaxy Z Fold 5 and Flip 5 models offer significant cost savings, starting at $1,169 and $650 respectively, compared to the new Galaxy Z Fold 7 ($1,999) and Flip 7 ($1,099). While the refurbished models offer excellent performance and are ideal for first-time foldable buyers, they come with fewer years of software updates. Newer models also feature design improvements, enhanced durability, and the latest AI features. Buyers should weigh the cost savings against the desire for the absolute latest technology and extended software support, also considering new, more affordable options like the Galaxy Z Flip 7 FE ($899).
How do “Re-Newed” foldable phones compare in durability and battery life to the latest models?
“Re-Newed” Fold 5 and Flip 5 models are built on older designs, meaning they generally won’t have the newest hinge technologies or display durability enhancements found in the Z Fold 7 and Flip 7. The Fold 7, for example, is dramatically thinner and lighter with improved Armor FlexHinge. Battery life on “Re-Newed” models is good as they feature a certified new battery, but newer models often boast better power efficiency from their latest chipsets. However, some newer flagship foldables like the Z Fold 7 have maintained the same battery capacity despite more power-hungry processors, leading to “middling” endurance compared to competitors like the Oppo Find N5.
Conclusion
Samsung’s introduction of “Re-Newed” Galaxy Z Fold 5 and Flip 5 devices into its refurbishment program marks a strategic move to make premium foldable technology more accessible. While these models offer significant cost savings and deliver a solid user experience, prospective buyers should carefully weigh the benefits against the advancements in newer models and competitive offerings. Consider your budget, desired software longevity, and the importance of the latest design and durability features. For many, a “Re-Newed” foldable could be the smart, value-driven gateway to experiencing the unique form factor of the future.
