Look, I'll be honest. Walking into a store and dropping $1,200 on a tablet feels like a punch to the gut. It's basically a thin slab of glass and aluminum. But the Galaxy Tab S10 Ultra is different—it's that massive 14.6-inch screen that makes everything else look like a toy. You want it, but you don't want to pay the "Early Adopter" tax.
Good news. It’s 2026. The Tab S11 Ultra is already making headlines, which means the "old" S10 Ultra is finally hitting the clearance bins and secondary markets. If you’re smart, you can find a Galaxy Tab S10 Ultra cheap without getting scammed or settling for a cracked screen.
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Why the Price is Tanking Right Now
Samsung has a predictable habit. They release a new shiny toy, and suddenly the previous model—which was "life-changing" six months ago—is treated like yesterday’s garbage.
The arrival of the Tab S11 series has pushed the S10 Ultra prices down significantly. While the retail price used to hover around $1,199, I'm seeing brand-new units move for **$799 to $899** at major retailers like Best Buy and Amazon. That’s a $400 drop just for waiting a bit.
Is the S11 better? Sure, it’s got a slightly faster 3nm chip and maybe a brighter screen. But honestly, for 99% of people, the Dimensity 9300+ in the S10 Ultra is still total overkill. You’re not going to notice a 0.2-second difference in how fast Instagram opens.
The "Refurbished" Gold Mine
If you really want to talk about getting the Galaxy Tab S10 Ultra cheap, you have to look at the "Refurbished Excellent" or "Renewed" listings.
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I’ve been tracking prices on Swappa and Back Market lately. It's kind of wild. You can snag a 256GB Wi-Fi model in "Mint" condition for as low as $579 to $649. Think about that. That's less than the price of a mid-range phone for a pro-level tablet.
- Swappa: Usually the best for peer-to-peer deals where you can see actual photos of the device. Recent sales show 1TB models going for under $800.
- eBay Refurbished: This is actually safer than people think. If it's "eBay Refurbished," it comes with a one-year warranty. I found a Platinum Silver unit for $789 recently.
- Samsung Certified Re-Newed: This is the "safe" bet. They replace the battery and give you a fresh warranty, but you'll pay a premium—usually around $899.
The Trade-In Trap (And How to Flip It)
Samsung’s trade-in program is legendary, but it's also a bit of a psychological trick. They’ll offer you $500 for your old tablet, but only if you buy the newest model at full price.
Here’s the pro move: Look for the "Instant Savings" codes. Right now, many retailers are offering a flat $200 off the S10 Ultra without requiring any trade-in at all. If you combine that with a low-value trade-in—like an old cracked iPad or an ancient Tab S7—you can sometimes stack the discounts.
I’ve seen people get the final price down to under $500 by trading in gear they bought for $100 on Facebook Marketplace specifically for the trade-in value. It’s a bit of work, but it saves you half a grand.
Is "Cheap" Still Good?
You might be worried that a discounted S10 Ultra is "obsolete." It’s not.
The screen is still a 14.6-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X. It still has the anti-reflective coating that made it famous (and honestly, it works better than the newer ones sometimes). You’re getting the S Pen in the box, which Apple still makes you buy separately for $129.
Basically, the "cheap" version of this tablet is still better than almost any other tablet on the market. You get the AI features like Note Assist and Circle to Search, which Samsung updated to work just as well as they do on the S11.
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Where to Buy Right Now
Don't just go to the first site you see. Prices fluctuate every Tuesday for some reason.
- Walmart Restored: They often have "Open Box" units for $739. These are usually just returns from people who realized 14.6 inches is too big for their lap.
- Best Buy Open-Box: Check the "Fair" condition. Often, "Fair" just means it’s missing the original box. If you don't care about cardboard, you can save another $100.
- Amazon Warehouse: Look for "Used - Like New." It’s usually just a damaged box, and the tablet inside is pristine.
Actionable Next Steps
To get the absolute best deal, stop looking at the MSRP. Start by checking Swappa’s "Recent Sales" graph to see the actual market value today. Then, head over to Samsung’s official "Offers" page and see if they have any "Education" or "First Responder" discounts active—they don't always check credentials as strictly as you'd think, and it can shave off another 10%. Finally, if you're buying used, always ask the seller for a battery cycle count or a screenshot of the "About Tablet" screen to ensure it isn't a locked floor model.