There’s something appealing about a phone that refuses to quit on battery life. The Samsung Galaxy M31, launched back in early 2020, is still popping up in refurbished listings today—and for good reason: its 6,000 mAh battery and 64 MP camera were ahead of its price class, but before clicking ‘buy,’ it’s worth understanding what you’re actually getting in 2025 and what you’re giving up in software support.
Release date: March 2020 ·
New availability: Discontinued ·
Refurbished price (Good): from €109 on refurbed.ie ·
Display: 6.4″ Super AMOLED ·
Main camera: 64 MP quad ·
Battery: 6,000 mAh
Quick snapshot
- Galaxy M31 released March 2020 (GSMArena (industry-standard phone database))
- New units are discontinued (gomibo.ie (Irish retailer))
- Refurbished models available from €109 (refurbed.ie (refurbished marketplace))
- Android 10 → 12 upgrades delivered (Gadgets 360 (Indian tech publication))
- Exact end date of security patches unconfirmed (endoflife.date (product lifecycle tracker))
- No official statement about further major OS updates (endoflife.date (product lifecycle tracker))
- Battery health of individual refurbished units is unknown (endoflife.date (product lifecycle tracker))
- Software support likely ended around March 2023 (three-year mark) (Samsung Mobile Security (official policy page))
- Phone stopped receiving monthly security patches after that period (Samsung Mobile Security (official policy page))
- Refurbished prices will continue dropping as stock ages (PriceHistory.app (price tracking service))
- No further Android version upgrades expected (endoflife.date (product lifecycle tracker))
The Galaxy M31’s key specifications and current status are summarized below.
| Full model name | Samsung Galaxy M31 (SM-M315F) |
| Release date | March 2020 |
| Original operating system | Android 10 with One UI Core 2.0 |
| Latest OS upgrade | Android 12 with One UI 4.1 |
| Security update end | Estimated March 2023 |
| Refurbished starting price | €109 (refurbed.ie, Good condition) |
How Old Is the Samsung Galaxy M31 and Is It Outdated?
Release date and original specs
- Announced February 2020, available from March 2020 (GSMArena (industry-standard phone database)).
- 6.4-inch Super AMOLED display, Exynos 9611 chipset, 6 GB RAM, 64/128 GB storage (GSMArena).
- Quad rear camera: 64 MP main, 8 MP ultra-wide, 5 MP macro, 5 MP depth; 32 MP front camera (GSMArena).
- 6,000 mAh battery with 15 W charging (GSMArena).
Software support timeline
- Shipped with Android 10, later updated to Android 11 and 12 (Gadgets 360 (Indian tech publication)).
- Samsung’s M-series policy historically offered two major OS upgrades and three years of security patches (endoflife.date (product lifecycle tracker)).
- Security updates likely ended around March 2023 (endoflife.date).
Current relevance in 2025
Five years after launch, the M31 is no longer a daily driver for users who install many apps or browse sensitive sites. The large battery still delivers solid video playback, and the camera can take respectable photos in good light—but the absence of security patches means each new vulnerability stays unpatched.
For a casual backup phone or a media player for a child, the M31’s hardware holds up. But anyone using it for banking, email, or work accounts faces real risk because the device no longer receives security fixes. (eosl.date (end-of-life directory))
The implication: the M31 is best suited for non-critical use.
How Much Does a Samsung Galaxy M31 Cost?
New pricing (discontinued)
The Galaxy M31 originally sold for around €200–250 in Europe and ₹15,999 in India (Cashify (Indian refurbished marketplace)). Retailers like gomibo.ie now list it as “no longer available,” confirming new inventory is gone (gomibo.ie).
Refurbished pricing at major sellers
Six facts, one pattern: prices have tumbled faster than a typical budget phone.
- refurbed.ie: 64 GB Good condition from €109; 128 GB from €129 (refurbed.ie).
- Back Market: 64 GB Fair condition around €100; Good around €150 (Back Market (refurbished electronics platform)).
- UK private resale: 64 GB used units fetch £42–£75 (Alibaba Electronics Buying Guides (pricing analysis)).
- India refurb: ₹7,990–₹8,490 for 6 GB/128 GB in March 2025 (PriceHistory.app).
- India refurb (higher RAM): 8 GB/128 GB variant listed at ₹14,999 originally, now much lower (Vlebazaar (Indian refurbished seller)).
- European resale: Continued second-hand availability through swopify.com (SWOPiFY (European resale marketplace)).
The implication: paying more than €120 for a 64 GB unit makes little sense when you can get a newer budget phone with security support for not much more.
Price comparison across conditions
A simple price hierarchy: Good condition (€109–130) offers 12‑month warranty from refurbed.ie; Fair condition (€80–100 from private sellers) comes with no warranty and unknown battery health. The premium for verified battery health and warranty is about €30, which is worth it for anyone planning to use the phone daily.
A €109 refurbished M31 may seem cheap, but a €150–170 Galaxy A14 5G (new) includes security updates through 2028. The M31’s saving grace is the 6000 mAh battery, which beats any new budget phone in raw stamina.
How Many Years Will the Samsung M31 Receive Updates?
Samsung’s official update policy for M series
Samsung’s 2024 policy extended security support for some Galaxy devices up to seven years, but that applies only to newer models (Samsung Mobile Security). The M31, being a 2020 mid‑ranger, was covered by the earlier pledge of two major OS upgrades and about three years of security patches (Reddit (community discussion, mid‑2024)).
Actual updates received by the M31
- Android 11 (early 2021) and Android 12 (early 2022) were delivered (Gadgets 360).
- One UI 4.1 was the final feature update.
- Monthly security patches continued until roughly March 2023 (endoflife.date).
Security update status and end of life
End‑of‑life databases list the Galaxy M31 family as past support (eosl.date). Users who haven’t received the latest security patch likely have a device stuck on a 2022 or early 2023 patch level. The catch: from 2024 onward, any security vulnerability that Samsung addressed in newer phones remains unpatched on the M31.
Is It the Right Time to Sell Your Samsung Galaxy M31?
Market value of a used Galaxy M31
Private resale values hover around €50–80 for a 128 GB unit in good physical condition (Alibaba Electronics Buying Guides). That’s roughly 20–30% of what a new unit cost in 2020. The depreciation floor is still dropping; selling now recovers more cash than waiting another year.
Trade-in options from carriers and Samsung
Samsung’s trade‑in program occasionally offers credit toward newer models, but the M31’s trade‑in value is often in the €20–40 range. Carrier trade‑ins (Vodafone, T‑Mobile, etc.) may bundle loyalty discounts. Checking current trade‑in quotes before listing on eBay is worthwhile.
When to sell before value drops further
The pattern: once security updates cease completely, residual value drops by 30–50% within six months. With the M31 already past that point, owners should sell promptly if they aren’t using it.
If you still use the M31 as a primary phone, selling now and putting the proceeds—plus a small top‑up—toward a new budget model (e.g., Galaxy A15 5G) gives you years of security support. Holding on to the M31 means accepting that the device is now a risk for sensitive data.
Is the Galaxy M31s Still a Good Phone?
Galaxy M31s vs Galaxy M31: key differences
- Charging speed: M31s supports 25 W fast charging vs. 15 W on M31 (GSMArena (phone database)).
- Front camera: 32 MP on both (M31s gets higher‑res selfie video).
- Processor: Same Exynos 9611 in both.
- Battery: Same 6000 mAh capacity.
- Software: M31s launched a few months later, so it may have received patches slightly longer (endoflife.date).
Five similarities, one meaningful edge: the faster charging on the M31s. In 2025, neither phone receives active security updates, so the difference is marginal.
Performance and camera improvements
The M31s added a 32 MP front camera with better video, but the rear camera hardware is identical. Daily performance—app opening, multitasking—is the same because of the shared Exynos 9611 chipset.
Should you buy M31 or M31s in 2025?
If you’re set on a refurbished device and find an M31s for the same price or only €10–20 more, the faster charging is nice. But neither is a good choice for a security-conscious user. The real alternative: an A‑series model with guaranteed updates until 2027 or later.
Upsides
- Excellent 6,000 mAh battery life
- 64 MP main camera still capable in daylight
- Super AMOLED display (bright, vibrant)
- Expandable storage up to 512 GB (91mobiles (Indian specs aggregator))
- Low refurbished price (from €109)
Downsides
- No more security updates (vulnerable to threats)
- Only Android 12 (no further upgrades)
- No 5G support
- 15W charging (slow by 2025 standards)
- Exynos 9611 processor lags behind modern budget chips
Eight specifications, one standout: the battery dwarfs almost every 2025 budget phone.
| Display | 6.4-inch Super AMOLED, 1080×2340 |
| Processor | Exynos 9611 (10 nm) |
| RAM | 6 GB / 8 GB (LPDDR4X) |
| Storage | 64 GB / 128 GB (expandable up to 512 GB) |
| Rear camera | 64 MP f/1.8 + 8 MP ultrawide + 5 MP macro + 5 MP depth |
| Front camera | 32 MP f/2.0 |
| Battery | 6,000 mAh, 15W charging |
| Connectivity | 4G LTE, Wi‑Fi ac, Bluetooth 5.0, USB‑C |
| Dimensions | 159.2 × 75.1 × 8.9 mm, 191 g |
Confirmed facts & What’s unclear
Confirmed facts
- Galaxy M31 released March 2020 (GSMArena)
- New units discontinued (gomibo.ie)
- Refurbished available from €109 (refurbed.ie)
- Received Android 12 (Gadgets 360)
- Security patches ended ~2023 (endoflife.date)
- 6,000 mAh battery capacity (GSMArena)
What’s unclear
- Exact final security patch date undocumented
- Battery health of individual refurbished units
- Whether Samsung will issue any one-off security fix for critical CVEs
- Actual used storage capacity after system files is not specified
The implication: the uncertainties around security and battery health should give any prospective buyer pause.
What the sources say
“Samsung Galaxy M31 is a mid-range Android smartphone with a 6.4-inch Super AMOLED display, Exynos 9611 chipset, and a massive 6,000 mAh battery.”
GSMArena (industry-standard phone database)
“Refurbished Samsung Galaxy M31 – Good condition – from €109. Comes with 12-month warranty and battery tested for 80% minimum capacity.”
refurbed.ie (refurbished marketplace)
“Samsung’s security update policy now extends support for some devices up to 7 years, but older models like the Galaxy M31 are not included.”
Samsung Mobile Security (official policy page)
For a buyer in 2025, the Galaxy M31 makes sense only as a cheap media player, a backup phone, or a device for a child who doesn’t access sensitive accounts. The battery and screen are still great. But every month without security patches increases the risk. For the main phone of an adult who banks, shops, or works online, the trade-off is clear: save €109 now and pay with risk, or spend a little more on a newer budget model with years of support. The decision comes down to what you value more—stamina or safety.
For a detailed breakdown of current prices and software support, our full Galaxy M31 guide covers everything you need to know before making a purchase.
Frequently asked questions
Can I still buy a new Samsung Galaxy M31?
No. New units have been discontinued since late 2021. Only refurbished or used units are available (gomibo.ie).
Is the Galaxy M31 worth buying in 2025?
Only as a cheap backup phone or media player for €100–130. For daily use with sensitive data, the lack of security updates outweighs the low price.
Does the Galaxy M31 support fast charging?
It supports 15W fast charging, which is slow by 2025 standards. The M31s variant supports 25W (GSMArena).
How long does the Galaxy M31 battery last?
The 6,000 mAh battery can deliver 20+ hours of video playback and two days of moderate use on a full charge (GSMArena).
Is the Galaxy M31 waterproof?
No official IP rating. Avoid water exposure.
Can the Galaxy M31 run the latest apps and games?
Basic apps run fine, but heavy games like Genshin Impact will lag. The Exynos 9611 is too slow for 2025 gaming.
How does the Galaxy M31 compare to the Galaxy A32?
The A32 has a 90Hz display and longer software support, but a smaller battery (5,000 mAh). The M31 wins on stamina; the A32 wins on updates and refresh rate.