When it’s time to upgrade your phone, it can be both exciting and daunting. You have a whole new phone waiting, but which one do you choose? Every year, dozens of new models come out that complement the older models on sale and could (and often are) be great value for money.
Even if you think you’ve found the perfect phone for you, you’ll probably need to replace it within the next 12 months. So, do you buy it or wait for a new phone to come out? If you haven’t been keeping an eye on the market, you might feel a little overwhelmed.
At GizmodoWe follow the mobile phone market very closely and write about these devices on a daily basis, so we felt it was worth putting together some advice on when and how to upgrade your phone. This isn’t about Android vs iOS or comparing specs. And more about choosing your moments.
When to buy an old phone
Samsung typically refreshes its flagship products in January, followed by Apple in September. Google soon followed suit (though this year Google brought the launch date forward to August.) Of course, they’re not the only mobile phone makers in the space.But it gives you an idea of ​​how each year will unfold.
As soon as a new phone comes out, the current model that replaces it is sold at a lower price, so now might be the perfect time to buy one since it was the best just a few days ago. As the months go by, the price drops even more, but of course the phone becomes more and more outdated.
Fast forward another 12 months and you’ll have a new launch and three devices to choose from, all with different price/lifespan trade-offs. After all, the better the phone, the longer it’ll last. And after a couple of years, it’s hard to justify buying a budget phone (by that point, you’ll be able to afford it). Better Low Priced Mobile Phones will be able to use it).
Technically, even if you’re buying an older phone, you want to choose one that’s as new as possible. If it started out as a premium flagship model, you can wait a little longer for the price to drop. Double check when the phone first came out, how many years it’s guaranteed to get software updates for, and what new models you can get for the same price.
Time to buy a new phone
Everyone has different smartphone needs and budgets, and while buying the latest and greatest device makes sense for some, there are certain times when buying is important to consider. Best Mobile PhonesThe time leading up to (or after) a launch is a great time to grab some discounts or free accessories (like a smartwatch).
Further discounts may be introduced once the phone is six months old. Possibly a new colorExpect discounts to increase as it gets closer to time to replace your phone, but once you’ve reached this stage it’s usually best to wait – as new models come out the discounts available become even bigger.
It’s important to remember that a smartphone is made up of software and hardware. Apple released a new version of iOS in September. Preview in JuneGoogle usually releases new versions of Android in August. May Preview (However, it may take some time before these new versions roll out to Android phones from other manufacturers, including Samsung).
If you buy a new model, you’ll likely be among the first to receive this year’s software updates, so you’ll want to keep up to date on future updates. If the same software feature is available in both the current model and an upcoming model, it may be worth buying now rather than waiting.
When should you wait for the next smartphone?
If your current phone is completely dead, waiting for your next phone might not be an option. But if you do have the choice, it might be worth waiting until the next model of a particular phone comes out, especially if it’s close to a release date or there are rumors of a major upgrade.
You don’t have to. See far away online Look for rumors and leaks about upcoming smartphones. While we can’t guarantee their accuracy, they can give you a good idea of ​​what’s to come (especially if the same leak comes from multiple sources). Depending on whether those rumors turn out to be disappointing or not, you can find out the best time to upgrade your phone.
Even if you’re not sold on the features of an upcoming iPhone, Pixel, or Galaxy phone, if the launch date is approaching, it might be best to wait for it anyway, because even if you decide not to buy the new phone, the older model will still be cheaper.
Also bear in mind that when you buy a phone, it’s probably due for replacement within 12 months (or less), so at some point you’ll have to take the plunge and replace it. There’s a danger that you’ll wait and never upgrade – something better will always come along, but with a bit of research you’ll know how good it is and when it’s coming out.
