Samsung Offers Refurbished “Certified Re-Newed” Galaxy S26 Phones to Customers in India
Under its Certified Re-Newed programme (CRN), Samsung India is offering the Galaxy S26 series at up to 85% of its original launch pricing. Meanwhile, Apple broke its usual tradition of discounting older models, and increased the retail prices of previous iPhone models – a day after the launch of its newest iPhones.
Sept. 10, 2026 – Samsung India is now offering the Galaxy S26 series — Samsung’s third-generation AI phones — as part of its Samsung Certified Re-Newed programme (CRN). Available on Samsung.com, Certified Re-Newed Galaxy S26 Ultra and Galaxy S26 devices are in “like-new condition,” the handset maker claims. Reduced pricing is also available for other models such as Galaxy S25 Ultra, Galaxy S25, A37, A57, and A36.
By introducing the Galaxy S26 series to its Certified Re-Newed line-up, Samsung is now giving more customers the chance to experience its latest flagship innovations.
DC voice: This is clearly intended to sell more Galaxy S26 phones as well as older models to consumers during the festive season in India. It may also be a way to attract users to the Galaxy ecosystem, during their next phone replacement cycles. According to PhoneArena new Galaxy S27 phones will launch in early 2027, with retail availability following in February or March 2027.
The Galaxy S26 Ultra features the most powerful hardware ever on a Galaxy S series device, an industry-leading camera system and the most intuitive, proactive and adaptive Galaxy AI experiences. It also introduces a built-in Privacy Display, which keeps content clear for the user while limiting what others can see.
Across the line-up, Galaxy S26 Ultra and Galaxy S26 handle complex tasks in the background, allowing users to focus on results, and bring the most intuitive, proactive and adaptive Galaxy AI experiences to more customers.
Every Certified Re-Newed Galaxy device is inspected, cleaned, refurbished and tested through a Samsung-certified renewal process to meet Samsung’s standards for quality, performance and reliability.
Where required, parts are replaced with genuine Samsung parts, and each device includes a Samsung-certified battery that meets Samsung’s quality standards. Devices are also reset to remove personal data and updated with the latest software before being made available to customers.
Every Certified Re-Newed Galaxy S26 series device comes with a one-year company warranty, giving customers added peace of mind when choosing a renewed Galaxy device through Samsung’s official programme.
Availability
Galaxy S26 Ultra and Galaxy S26 Certified Re-Newed devices will be available on Samsung.com and Samsung Shop app across India.
Availability, model line-up, colours, storage options, pricing, warranty terms and promotional offers may vary by market.
India Pricing
| Model | Old Price INR | Certified ReNewed Price INR | Price Reduction INR |
| Galaxy S26 Ultra | 1,39,999 | 1,18,999 | 21,000 |
| Galaxy S26 | 1,07,999 | 91,799 | 16,200 |
All listed prices include taxes.
See all Certified ReNewed offers here: https://www.samsung.com/in/certified-re-newed/
Apple Raises Prices
Meanwhile, Apple has bucked the trend of reducing prices when launching new models – a day after launching iPhone Duo and the iPhone 18 series. The iPhone 16, iPhone 17, iPhone Air, and the just launched iPhone 18 Pro series are going to be pricier. So hold on to your old phones a bit longer!
India Pricing
| Model | Old Price INR | New Price INR | Price Increase INR |
| iPhone 16 | 69,900 | 89,900 | 20,000 |
| iPhone 17 | 82,900 | 99,900 | 17,000 |
| iPhone 17e | 64,900 | 79,900 | 15,000 |
| iPhone Air | 1,19,000 | 1,49,000 | 30,000 |
Source: Apple
The price increases are mainly because of the shortage of memory chips in the market, due to heavy demand from AI data centers. In recent months, Apple also raised the price of its iPads for the same reason. The base 128GB Wi-Fi model of the iPad 11″ (A16), which had a promotional pricing between INR 29,000 and INR 33,990 in January 2026, costs INR 49,900 today. Other tablet and phone manufacturers also increased prices.
Another reason is higher taxes and import duties. India imposes 17% import duty and 18% Goods & Sevices Tax, which bump up prices significantly as compared to pricing for the same products in other markets.
While U.S. pricing for the entry model of iPhone Duo is $1,999 (INR 1,91,069.53), the same model would cost INR 3 lakh ($3,137.74) when available in India, later this month. That’s a delta of $1,000, which is nearly INR 1 lakh.
Conversion rates as of 11 Sept. 2026
1 Lakh = 1,00,000
DC voice: This is sure to encourage smugglers who stand to gain handsomely from each iPhone Duo smuggled into India (from Dubai or the U.S.). The only way to curb smuggling is to manufacture the new iPhone models in India – as this will reduce import duties. India is already manufacturing the iPhone 16 and iPhone 17 series, do these price increases are questionable.
