Samsung vs Google Pixel Refurbished Phones: Which Should You Buy?

Samsung vs Google Pixel, it’s a clash of the titans between the world’s two biggest Android smartphone brands and you may be wondering which is the best one to buy. Both the Samsung Galaxy and Google Pixel are two extremely popular flagship phones, and both have much to offer, but when we go back a few years and compare Samsung vs Google Pixel refurbished phones, you may find one is preferable to the other depending on your needs. 

Generally speaking, Samsung’s approach to the Galaxy tends to be what one would expect from Apple’s biggest smartphone competitor: versatile, reliable, and full of useful features as well as cutting-edge technologies. Google, on the other hand, has garnered quite a positive reputation for the Pixel being the more purist Android experience as it’s the fastest to receive updates, simplicity, and embracing AI features. 

Which phone should you buy, especially when one broadens their search to previous generations and older Samsung Galaxy and Google Pixel models? 

The Camera Showdown: Creative Versatility vs. AI Magic 

A major consideration for anyone looking to buy a refurbished Galaxy or Pixel is camera quality. Photography, whether professional or amateur, is one of the biggest use cases for modern phones, and both Samsung and Google tend to make extremely high-quality cameras for their flagship phones. 

Current and previous generation Galaxy phones now use multiple high megapixel lenses to deliver outstanding photo quality. Newer models now make brilliant use of AI integrations to touch up photos beautifully. 

Pixels, on the other hand, have long been lauded for their camera quality, even when the phones were still competing amongst midrange and even budget phones. Newer Pixels compare quite well with Samsung’s in terms of megapixels (but only slightly less powerful), however, their AI integrations are truly cutting-edge. 

Verdict: Tie. Samsung edges out Pixel in terms of camera quality, but only slightly. Google’s AI integrations tend to outperform the Galaxy, but only slightly. 

Software Experience: Feature-Packed vs. Pure & Simple 

Both the Galaxy and Pixel use Android, but their UI is quite different. Samsung’s One UI is very powerful, easily customisable, and allows users to tweak their settings to their exact preferences. It’s easy to multitask and offers some of the most versatility amongst competitor user interfaces. 

Pixel, on the other hand, uses pure Android as its user interface. It’s about as bare-bones as you can get, which has several advantages and perhaps some disadvantages. On the plus side, Pixel users receive Android updates first, and sticking to pure Android means that Pixels tend to be snappy to respond and simple to use. 

Verdict: Google Pixel. For older refurbished Pixels, users can enjoy Google’s simple and pure Android user experience. 

Performance, Display & Battery Life 

In terms of hardware, both the Pixel 10 and Galaxy S25 are quite impressive in 2025. When one considers older models, however, some disparities begin to emerge. Older Galaxy phones have long used the latest and greatest hardware, from processors to RAM and overall performance. They have, however, been often criticised (e.g. S22) for having poor battery life, although their superb display resolution is what often chewed away at the battery. 

Older Pixel models tended to compete more with midrange phones, even though Google always marketed the Pixel as a premium flagship product. Their hardware performance, while good, was commensurate with their significantly lower price compared to the Galaxy. Newer models with the Tensor chip are optimised for use with AI and perform superbly, and their battery life is extremely good. Older Pixels, however, often had much poorer battery life than what Google advertised. 

Verdict: Samsung Galaxy. While the Tensor chips are highly optimised, Samsung’s specs (especially for older models) tend to be more robust. 

Value & Longevity: The Refurbished Angle 

Longevity is a big concern when shopping for a refurbished phone, and rightfully so. What will give you the best value for money, and how long will the phone last you? 

In terms of value, both the Pixel and Galaxy are much cheaper refurbished than brand-new. Older Pixels tend to be cheaper than older Galaxy phones, and a lot of this has to do with the fact that Pixels were quite a bit cheaper in the past than newer generation models; Galaxy has always been Samsung’s flagship line and has long been sold at premium prices. 

In terms of longevity, Google has long maintained 7-year software support for its Pixels, amongst the best in the industry. In recent years, Samsung has begun to do the same with its Galaxy models. This may not apply to much older devices, however. 

Verdict: Google Pixel. Older models all have Google’s 7-year software support and tend to be cheaper than older Galaxy phones. 

A Quick Guide to Your Perfect Choice 

What’s the perfect choice for a refurbished phone between Samsung vs Google Pixel refurbished? It’s really hard to say… Both offer superb value for money, great specs, fantastic cameras, and many other features. 

If deciding between a Samsung, Pixel, or another Android brand, however, there tends to be a bit of a drop-off. These two flagship phones make for a great refurbished phone, but in brief we’d describe them as such: