Which Samsung Galaxy to Buy? S Series or A Series

remarket Team · Published on 05.07.2026 · 5 min read

Welches Samsung Galaxy kaufen? S-Serie oder A-Serie

Contents The S series: the flagships The A series: the budget picks The rules of thumb What to look for when buying Samsung refurbished Conclusion

Samsung's Galaxy family is big, and the names don't help much: S25, S25 Ultra, A16, A56, FE. Yet the logic is simple once you know it. Here is the overview that leads you to the right Galaxy.

The S series: the flagships

S models are Samsung's best: the brightest AMOLED displays with 120 Hz, top chips, the best cameras and up to seven years of updates. The base S is compact, the Plus is bigger, and the Ultra adds the S Pen, a titanium frame and the largest camera system. Refurbished, even one to two year old S models are still absolutely high-end, at a much smaller price.

The A series: the budget picks

A models deliver the essentials at a low price: a large AMOLED display, a solid camera, long battery life, 5G. The savings come from chip performance, camera extras (no strong zoom), materials and update duration. For WhatsApp, photos, streaming and navigation that's perfectly sufficient. The target audience is pragmatists, teenagers and anyone with a fixed budget.

The rules of thumb

Maximum tech: S series, especially rewarding used because Android flagships depreciate heavily.
Maximum value: A one to two year old refurbished S model beats a new A model almost every time. For a similar price you get a flagship display, flagship camera and a longer update future.
Minimum price: A series refurbished, you won't get that like-new feeling any cheaper.

What to look for when buying Samsung refurbished

As always: a stated battery condition (85 percent and above is green), a documented inspection (with us, the 80-point PhoneCheck diagnosis), a 1-year warranty and a 14-day return policy. For the A series, also mind the update window: it gets shorter support than the S series, and a very old A model may soon be left without security updates.

Conclusion

The S series for anyone who wants lasting enjoyment and top tech, the A series for the lowest price, and the insider tip is last year's flagship bought used: flagship quality at a mid-range price. Find all variants tested in the shop, and discounted one-offs in the outlet.

Frequently asked questions

What is the main difference between Galaxy S and Galaxy A?

The S series is Samsung's flagship line with top chips, the best cameras and up to seven years of updates. The A series offers the basics at a low price with a simpler camera and shorter update support.

Is an older S model a better deal than a new A model?

Usually yes. A one to two year old S model, refurbished, offers the better display, the better camera and often the longer update future at a similar price.

How long does the A series get updates?

Significantly shorter than the S series, depending on the model and year. When buying an older A model, it's worth checking the release year.

Do Samsung devices also come with a 1-year warranty?

Yes, at remarket.ch every refurbished device comes with a 1-year warranty, whether S series or A series, plus a 14-day return policy.