Comply with ZDNET: Add us as a preferred source on Google.
ZDNET’s key takeaways
- The smartphone market is going through strain as a result of provide constraints of reminiscence chips
- Telephones launched in 2026 have been underwhelming, and plenty of have seen worth hikes.
- The highest telephones from 2025 are discounted now, making them a greater buy than newer units.
If you happen to’re available in the market for a brand new smartphone, you could be higher off shopping for one from 2025 proper now. Latest telephones, particularly mid-rangers, have delivered underwhelming upgrades, whereas additionally seeing worth hikes.
Additionally: Why you’ll pay more for phones and computers in 2026
As companies scoop an increasing number of reminiscence for his or her AI knowledge facilities and {hardware}, fewer reminiscence chips can be found for client merchandise. That is making a scarcity and subsequent worth will increase. The telephones launched in 2026 are going through more durable competitors from their predecessors than from their rivals.
The dilemma with new telephones in 2026
Based on a December report from IDCthe scarcity of DRAM and NAND chips utilized in PCs, smartphones, and different client electronics is placing strain on the general market. IDC expects the smartphone market to proceed going through strain this 12 months.
“The price construction of a smartphone is closely depending on the reminiscence used,” IDC analysts defined. “For a mid-range gadget, reminiscence can signify 15-20% of the overall invoice of supplies (BOM), whereas for a high-end flagship gadget, it’s round 10-15%. As reminiscence costs proceed to surge, OEMs will doubtless have to lift costs considerably, reduce specs, or each.”
A Counterpoint Research report from February states that RAM costs are spiking, reaching thrice final 12 months’s ranges. The harshest after-effects shall be on the most affordable telephones, which function on already-thin margins and usually tend to see their income evaporate with no worth improve.
Additionally: AI isn’t getting smarter, it’s getting more power hungry – and expensive
We’ve been noticing these shifts in Google’s Pixel 10a and Samsung’s Galaxy A57, that are largely unchanged this 12 months. Whereas the Google telephone is now right down to $450 on Amazon in comparison with its $500 launch worth, the Galaxy A57 is $50 more expensive at $550 (versus the $500 Galaxy A56 at launch).
Alternatively, lower-end Motorola G-series telephones at the moment are as much as $100 costlier on the official websiteas first noticed by PhoneArena. Whereas Amazon continues to be promoting them at old pricesany worth hike within the finances section stings greater than a $100 or perhaps a $200 increase on a flagship telephone.
That is why, should you’re on a finances, you must have a look at 2025 telephones as a substitute of shopping for a more moderen mannequin. This is the place the excellent news is available in.
Your finest alternate options exist already (and for much less cash)
When new telephones do not supply significant upgrades, older ones develop into extra interesting, particularly at discounted costs. This is a breakdown of some worthwhile choices, based mostly on our testing.
The newest Google Pixel 10awith an outdated Tensor G4 chipset from 2024 and older cameras, launched at $500 a couple of months in the past. Whereas it is nonetheless $300 lower than final 12 months’s Pixel 10 at retail worth, the Pixel 10, which provides extra RAM (12GB versus 8GB), a devoted telephoto digital camera, and even PixelSnap magnetic wi-fi charging, will be had immediately for as little as $550 — pending reductions.
In some circumstances, you could even be capable to purchase a second-hand Pixel 10 gadget for lower than that, with the largest caveat being that you simply void any retailer’s insurance coverage. Objectively talking, it is nonetheless a a lot better-value telephone possibility.
Samsung
For Samsung, I would suggest final 12 months’s Galaxy S25 serieswhich incorporates fashions spec’ed equally to this 12 months’s Galaxy S26 sequence, from the bottom mannequin to the Plus to the Extremely.
Additionally: Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra vs. S25 Ultra: I compared the flagship phones to decide the better buy
Contemplating the modest upgrades we noticed within the newest telephones, together with no main digital camera or battery modifications, the S25 sequence continues to be extremely really useful in 2026. Simply do not anticipate Samsung to supply essentially the most aggressive trade-in provides should you determine to purchase one straight from the shop.
Apple
Apple’s trajectory appears to be like completely different — at the least for now. Following the excessive value-for-money debut of the MacBook Neo, the iPhone 17 sequence maintains that momentum. By holding the road on pricing relative to the iPhone 16 whereas introducing a versatile 18MP selfie digital camera, a quicker processor, and 120Hz shows on base fashions, Apple has considerably raised the ground for buyers.
Whereas the $600 iPhone 17e is a more durable promote on worth alone, its year-over-year upgrades nonetheless outpace midrange choices from Samsung and Google, making it, too, a viable possibility this 12 months.
Backside line
However because it stands, 2026 is shaping as much as be a “skip” 12 months for customers. With provide constraints driving costs up and innovation plateaus diminishing returns, older fashions at the moment supply far superior worth.
Whereas we are able to hope for a market correction, the period of “extra for much less” is much less frequent by the day — and this stagnation is the brand new regular, making it all of the extra essential for customers such as you to buy smarter, not tougher.
