Refurbished Galaxy S23 Ultra deals in Ireland now undercut the S24 Ultra by €40+ while delivering 90% of the same capability. Back Market’s Irish listings show certified units starting at €422.40, representing a 60%+ discount off the original $1,199 launch price.

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Refurbished Price (Ireland): from €422.40 · Camera Resolution: 200MP · Display Size: 6.8-inch AMOLED QHD

Quick snapshot

1Confirmed facts
  • 200MP main camera with 10x optical zoom (Tom’s Guide)
  • 6.8-inch QHD+ AMOLED display, 1-120Hz refresh (Tom’s Guide)
  • Storage: 256GB, 512GB, 1TB options (Swappa)
2What’s unclear
  • Exact support end date for S23 Ultra models in Ireland
  • Whether S25 Ultra launch will trigger further price drops
3Timeline signal
  • S23 Ultra launched February 17, 2023 (Tom’s Guide)
  • S24 Ultra launched January 31, 2024 (Tom’s Guide)
  • Refurbed.ie 2026 guide now ranks S23 as top budget pick (Refurbed IE)
4What’s next
  • S25 Ultra launch expected to push S23 Ultra prices down further
  • Carrier deals on S24 Ultra likely to remain the main new-phone option in Ireland

Key specifications for the Galaxy S23 Ultra at a glance:

Label Value
Display 6.8-inch AMOLED QHD
Camera 200MP main
Refurb Price €422.40+ Back Market
New Retailers Currys.ie, Gomibo.ie
Storage Variants 256GB, 512GB, 1TB

Is the Galaxy S23 Ultra worth buying now?

The Galaxy S23 Ultra still holds up as a powerhouse in 2024, even with newer flagships on the market. Its Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 for Galaxy processor handles everything from mobile gaming to multitasking without breaking a sweat. Tom’s Guide testing confirms the 5,000 mAh battery delivers 13 hours and 9 minutes of endurance — solid full-day performance.

Current market value

Refurbished units in Ireland have dropped significantly. Back Market lists the Galaxy S23 Ultra starting at €422.40, while ViberStore offers units from €459.99 with a 12-month warranty included. Both retailers grade their stock as Excellent, Very Good, or Good, with data wipe and battery health verification. For context, the original launch price in 2023 was $1,199 USD — roughly €1,100 at the time. Buyers today save over 60% versus launch cost.

Performance in 2024

Swappa user ratings show the S23 Ultra at 4.9 out of 5, nearly matching the S24 Ultra’s 5.0 rating. The 200MP main sensor remains competitive with any Android camera setup, and the 10x optical telephoto gives Samsung the edge in zoom range. Galaxy AI features are exclusive to the S24 Ultra, but for everyday photography, the S23 Ultra sensor is more than capable.

Bottom line: Irish buyers can grab a certified refurbished Galaxy S23 Ultra for under €460 with warranty protection, saving hundreds versus a new S24 Ultra.

How much is the S23 Ultra worth today?

Three numbers tell the story: €422.40, €459.99, and the original $1,199 launch tag. The S23 Ultra has depreciated faster than most Samsung flagships because the S24 brought modest generational gains outside of AI features.

New vs refurbished prices Ireland

New units through retailers like Currys.ie and Gomibo.ie still command premium pricing — closer to the S24 Ultra territory. Back Market’s Irish pricing adjusts for local currency, listing the S23 Ultra at €422.40 compared to the S24 Ultra at €464.00 (same source). That €42 gap widens when you consider the S23 delivers 90% of the S24’s capability.

Resale value factors

Refurbed.ie recommends the Galaxy S23 as the best S-series on a budget for biggest savings in 2026. The site notes that “refurbished S23 Ultra offers proven quality at biggest savings.” Storage variants of 256GB, 512GB, and 1TB all hold value similarly, though larger capacity units fetch slightly higher resale prices on Swappa’s marketplace.

Why this matters

Irish buyers pay roughly €40 more for an S24 Ultra refurbished, but gain only the newer Snapdragon chip and Galaxy AI features. For buyers who don’t use AI daily, that €40 premium is hard to justify.

S23 Ultra vs S24 Ultra: Which is better to buy?

This is the question most Irish shoppers face when choosing between generations. The short answer: S23 Ultra wins on value, S24 Ultra wins on battery life and future-proofing.

Key spec differences

The specs reveal where each model excels and where compromises exist:

Specification Galaxy S23 Ultra Galaxy S24 Ultra
Processor Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 Snapdragon 8 Gen 3
RAM 8GB/12GB variants 12GB standard
Display 6.8″ QHD+ AMOLED 1-120Hz 6.8″ QHD+ AMOLED 1-120Hz
Battery endurance 13h 9m 16h 45m
Telephoto 10MP 10x optical 50MP 5x optical
AI features Not included Galaxy AI included
Launch price $1,199 USD $1,299 USD
Refurb Ireland €422.40+ €464.00+

The pattern shows S23 Ultra excels in zoom range while S24 Ultra dominates on battery and processing. Irish buyers choosing S23 Ultra save roughly €40 on refurb and sacrifice about 3.5 hours of battery life — acceptable for light-to-moderate users.

Value for money

Tom’s Guide notes the S24 Ultra has Galaxy AI features “easily validating the S24 Ultra worth over the S23 Ultra.” However, this only matters if you actively use Circle to Search, Live Translate, or generative editing tools. The S23 Ultra lacks these features entirely — a deliberate Samsung software strategy.

Battery endurance is the clearest S24 advantage. Tom’s Guide testing showed the S24 Ultra lasting 16 hours 45 minutes versus 13 hours 9 minutes for the S23 Ultra. That’s a 3.5-hour gap that matters for heavy users. The telephoto comparison flips in the S23’s favour: its 10MP 10x optical zoom outperforms the S24’s 50MP 5x for extreme magnification shots.

The trade-off

Irish buyers choosing the S23 Ultra save roughly €40+ on refurb and sacrifice about 3.5 hours of battery life. For light-to-moderate users, that battery gap may never materialise as a real problem.

What are common S23 Ultra problems?

No flagship is perfect, and the S23 Ultra has a documented history of issues worth knowing before you buy — especially if you’re considering a refurbished unit.

Reported issues

  • Battery drain: Some users reported above-average standby drain, particularly after software updates. ViberStore and Back Market both test battery health before listing, reducing this risk.
  • Overheating during charging: Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 runs warm under sustained load. Charging while gaming can push temperatures above comfortable levels.
  • Camera glass scratches: Early reports noted the rear camera lens scratching more easily than previous models. Using a case mitigates this.

Fixes and longevity

Software updates have addressed most battery drain complaints through optimisation patches. Refurbished sellers like ViberStore grade their units and replace batteries that fall below 80% health. With Samsung committing to four years of OS updates and five years of security patches, the S23 Ultra receives updates through at least 2027. Support end dates for the S23 Ultra remain unclear beyond this window.

What to watch

If the S25 Ultra launches in early 2025, expect S23 Ultra prices to drop further as the market shifts. Buyers willing to wait could see refurbished prices fall below €400 before year-end.

Where to buy Galaxy S23 Ultra in Ireland?

Irish buyers have three main routes: new through retailers, refurbished through specialist sellers, or monthly plans through carriers. Each path has trade-offs around price, warranty, and convenience.

Online retailers

Currys.ie and Gomibo.ie carry new units at higher price points, typically listing the S23 Ultra near the S24’s discounted range. Back Market Ireland offers certified refurbished units starting at €422.40, with grading details and local warranty coverage. ViberStore Ireland stocks the same model from €459.99 with a 12-month warranty and battery health verification.

Carrier deals Eir Vodafone

Irish carriers Eir and Vodafone typically stock current-generation Samsung phones rather than older flagships. Monthly payment plans are available on the S24 Ultra, often with trade-in offers that lower effective costs. Direct S23 Ultra carrier deals are less common as stores prefer pushing newer inventory.

Upsides

  • Refurbished S23 Ultra saves over 60% versus launch price
  • 200MP camera still outperforms most 2024 flagships
  • 10x optical zoom unique to Samsung’s Ultra line
  • Four years of OS updates remaining
  • Wide storage options (256GB-1TB) match newer models

Downsides

  • Lacks Galaxy AI features exclusive to S24 Ultra
  • Battery life trails S24 Ultra by ~3.5 hours
  • Older Snapdragon chip on paper, still fast in practice
  • Refurbished stock varies by condition grade
  • Support end date beyond 2027 not confirmed

“The S23 is the most affordable way into Samsung’s S-series.”

— Refurbed.ie, Refurbished retailer

“Galaxy AI features easily validate the S24 Ultra worth over the S23 Ultra.”

— Tom’s Guide reviewer, Tech journalist

Related reading: Galaxy S22 Plus to Buy – Best Deals in Ireland · Samsung S25 Ultra Price Ireland – €1,449 Cost, Deals and Specs

Additional sources

backmarket.ie, youtube.com, viberstore.ie, backmarket.ie

Refurbished Galaxy S23 Ultras now start at €422 in Ireland, where the 2025 Ireland deals update spotlights fresh 2025 pricing that could tip the scales.

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Frequently asked questions

What are the top 3 best Samsung phones?

Based on current Irish market availability and value: Galaxy S24 Ultra (flagship performance), Galaxy S23 Ultra (best value Ultra), and Galaxy A54 5G (budget champion). Refurbed.ie specifically recommends the Galaxy S23 for budget buyers seeking S-series quality.

Which Samsung will stop working in 2026?

Samsung devices launched in 2019 or earlier may lose security updates by 2026. The S23 Ultra receives updates through at least 2027, so current-generation buyers are safe for several years. Exact end dates vary by model and Samsung’s update policy.

Is Galaxy S23 Ultra to buy cheap available?

Yes. Back Market Ireland lists refurbished units starting at €422.40. ViberStore Ireland offers units from €459.99 with 12-month warranty. Both are significantly cheaper than the €629+ new listing for the base S24 model on Back Market.

What is Samsung S23 Ultra Eir deal?

Eir typically stocks the S24 Ultra on monthly plans rather than older flagships. Direct S23 Ultra carrier deals are uncommon. Check Eir’s website for current promotions, as inventory changes seasonally.

Does Vodafone have Samsung S23 Ultra?

Vodafone Ireland focuses on newer Samsung models for monthly contracts. S23 Ultra availability through Vodafone is limited. Refurbished sellers like Back Market and ViberStore are more reliable sources for this model.

What is Galaxy S23 Ultra 512GB price Ireland?

Back Market Ireland lists refurbished 512GB units above the base €422.40 price point. Specific 512GB pricing varies by condition grade and stock availability — check Back Market and ViberStore for current listings.

Is S23 Ultra better than other Samsung models?

For camera quality and zoom range, the S23 Ultra exceeds the standard S24 and non-Ultra models. The 200MP main sensor and 10x optical zoom are S-series bestsellers. For pure processing speed and battery life, S24 Ultra and newer models outperform it.

For Irish buyers weighing a Galaxy purchase in 2024, the decision comes down to priorities: save money and accept slightly shorter battery life (S23 Ultra), or pay the premium for Galaxy AI features and longer endurance (S24 Ultra). The S23 Ultra’s refurbished prices — starting at €422.40 on Back Market — make it the strongest value play in Samsung’s Ultra lineup.