S9+ slightly used or S10 new?

[jlrenew]

Hi guys, just wanted your opinion on something. I purchased the S10 on Black Friday from Best Buy for $560 total ($18.74 month for 24 months + $72 sales tax and $40 Verizon upgrade fee). I haven't opened the box yet because I was debating on purchasing the S9+ on ebay from a seller who is selling an open box (condition 9 out of 10) item for $360. I've read the technical differences between the S9+ and the S10 and there are some but I'm just wondering if it's $200 worth in your opinion? I realize I'm posting to an S10 forum so the answers may be slightly biased toward the new model but I was just curious. I know the main things would be New VS Used (open box), 128GB storage VS 64, 8GB Ram VS 6, reverse charging feature, slightly better camera from what I've read, slightly faster processor, Not sure if I missed anything else major. Worth $200 to you guys for the differences? I think the S9+ has a slightly larger battery than the S10 (although I'm buying used so not real sure about the battery usage) and the screen may be like a tenth of an inch bigger. Thanks!

 

[SpookDroid]

Storage upgrade alone is already 100 bucks (it's not fair, I know, but that's the usual ongoing rate for double the memory). Now, if you don't have the Elite level needed at BBuy, you about to hit the return period, so need to act fast. There is likely a re-stocking fee, even if you didn't open anything since this is a carrier phone. And you're getting a last-gen phone, so make sure that 'running out of updates' in a year is fine for you (and whatever updates are coming, will likely not be timely). The S10 wasn't a major 'jump' from the S9, I agree, but are those improvements and the fact that you are getting a used phone with some details (there's gotta be a reason it's not 10/10) worth the 100 bucks you'd be saving on going 'back' to an S9? You're also getting a slightly bigger screen (0.01in diag) BUT with a reduced PPI (529 vs 550).

 

[Gayle Lynn]

Samsung has been releasing updates monthly or better now. Those days of missed updates are past. Never kept a phone for 3 years, but for 3-4 years of support, well one of the selling points for the iPhone. $399 for iPhone 9 next spring.

The S10 is narrower. It's also lighter, even the S10+ is as well.

The camera in the 10+ was a big reason for me coming from S9+ and Note 9.

You've got a solid phone and decent monthly plan. eBay is all up front. I find that I like to try out and have a couple phones, one for backup or beta testing. I don't buy if I can't afford it, no carried balance or interest.

Did you have Galaxy previously?
Needed a newer phone?

 

[SpookDroid]

That's for security updates (and even those dwindle the further back you go). Sure, they're getting them, but the focus will always be the newest devices. And Samsung is officially only guaranteeing 2 years of them. Case in point, the S8 not getting Android 10, despite it being 3 years old.
https://www.androidpolice.com/2019/11/29/samsung-android-10-roadmap/

 

[Rukbat]

There's another thing to consider. If you treat the battery badly enough, you can totally kill it in a month. So would you be buying an S9+ with an almost new battery? Or an S9+ with an almost dead battery? You have no way of knowing. (Which is why buying a used phone with a non-user-replaceable battery is a bad idea.)

 

[jlrenew]

I'm coming from an S6 that still works well but i'm constantly having to charge that dang thing (even after a replacement battery) and 32GB of storage runs out quick.

 

[jlrenew]

There's another thing to consider. If you treat the battery badly enough, you can totally kill it in a month. So would you be buying an S9+ with an almost new battery? Or an S9+ with an almost dead battery? You have no way of knowing. (Which is why buying a used phone with a non-user-replaceable battery is a bad idea.)

yeah, i totally understand that too. The guy has a 30 day return policy and 100% positive feedback so it's maybe it's worth taking a look at. Thanks!

 

[jlrenew]

Samsung has been releasing updates monthly or better now. Those days of missed updates are past. Never kept a phone for 3 years, but for 3-4 years of support, well one of the selling points for the iPhone. $399 for iPhone 9 next spring.

The S10 is narrower. It's also lighter, even the S10+ is as well.

The camera in the 10+ was a big reason for me coming from S9+ and Note 9.

You've got a solid phone and decent monthly plan. eBay is all up front. I find that I like to try out and have a couple phones, one for backup or beta testing. I don't buy if I can't afford it, no carried balance or interest.

Did you have Galaxy previously?
Needed a newer phone?

I'm coming from an S6 that still works well but i'm constantly having to charge that dang thing (even after a replacement battery) and 32GB of storage runs out quick.

 

[dew066]

Both my parents have the S10, I have an S10+ and my g/f has S9+. 100% The S10 is worth an extra 200 for many reasons including what was said above. Form factor is better. Battery life of new S10 and S9+ would be about the same if the S9+ was new. camera is little better on S10 on rear and much better on front.
In summary, if both devices were brand new I would buy based on money and budget, but since the S9+ is used and the good deal you got on the S10 I would keep the S10.