There's no right time to buy a new phone, but some are better than others. You may have heard advice like "don't buy an iPhone in July", for example. That's because Apple tends to release news iPhones in September - and even if you don't want a newer model, older devices tend to become cheaper at the same time.
The product cycle is the best way to help make a decision as to when you should buy a new phone. Phones are always most expensive at launch, but buying early can have some perks too. Devices also vary when it comes to how well they maintain their value - one phone might get discounted a few months in, whereas another might not see a discount for a year.
So if you're thinking about buying a new phone, here's what you should consider with regards to when you buy it.
When is the best time to buy an iPhone?
Apple typically announces new iPhones in September, with the devices usually going on sale the same month. There have been some cases where a handset has been delayed until later in the year. For example, in 2018, the iPhone XS hit shelves in September, but the iPhone XR wasn't available until late October.
For the most part, your best bet is buying an iPhone handset close to release. iPhones rarely go on sale, if you're looking at buying on a plan, we've seen telcos trying to put their best foot forward during the launch period, when interest is at its highest.
Even if you're not after the latest model, Apple typically discounts older devices at the same time it announces new handsets. For example, the iPhone XR launched at $1,229 in 2018. Last year, Apple cut the price to $1,049 after announcing the iPhone 11. Unless you urgently need a new handset, buying a new iPhone from July onward is a bad idea - by waiting a month or two, you can either save money or get yourself a newer device.
While new iPhones don't tend to see significant discounts during their first year, it's a little more common to see retailers and telcos further reduce the price of iPhones that at least a year old as part of events such as End of Financial Year sales and Click Frenzy. For example, both Telstra and Optus cut around $650 from the price of the iPhone XS this year during their respective End of Financial Year sales.
When is the best time to buy a Samsung Galaxy?
Samsung has two major phone announcements each year: the Galaxy S series in February, and the Galaxy Note series in August. For the most part, devices become available for pre-order the same day they're announced, ahead of a release date that’s normally two or so weeks in the future.
If you're looking to buy a new Samsung phone, you'll normally see generous pre-order offers during the initial launch period. For example, Samsung offered free Galaxy Buds+ - valued at $299 - to anyone who pre-ordered a Galaxy S20 earlier this year. Last year, Samsung offered a bonus pair of $499 noise-cancelling headphones to anyone pre-ordering a Note 10.
While these pre-order offers may be tempting, Samsung phones tend to receive discounts as early as two months in. For example, Vodafone was offering a $300 discount on the Galaxy S20 5G in April this year. Optus had a $200 discount at the same time.
By waiting just a little, there's the potential to save a decent chunk of cash of your new Samsung. Of course, it becomes a question of whether you value a bonus like new headphones or spending a bit less more.
Compare Samsung Galaxy plans here.
When is the best time to buy a Google Pixel?
Google Pixel flagship devices are typically announced in October, but who knows what will happen this year. As with Samsung phones, it doesn't take too long for Pixel phones to see significant price cuts. The Pixel 4 was released in October last year, and by April, Vodafone and Optus were both offering up to 50% off the device on plans.
However, we also saw the three major carriers all offering pre-order bonuses with the Pixel 4 at launch, ranging from a Google Nest Hub to a Harmon Kardon Citation One speaker. Again, it's a question of whether you'd prefer to have the phone earlier and maybe nab yourself a little treat, or whether you're happy waiting a few months to save some cash.
While the mainline Pixel series has received plenty of discounts, the price of the Pixel 3a mostly held firm over the course of its availability. We wouldn't be surprised if this were the case with the Pixel 4a.
Compare Google Pixel plans here.
What about other phones?
If you're looking for a device outside of these major flagships, there's a little less predictability as to when manufacturers will release a device. Many handsets are seemingly launched on a whim, with no fixed year-to-year pattern.
As such, it's also harder to predict when a retailer may discount a phone, given the lack of a fixed product cycles. Some more affordable phones may be available for a couple of months, and then disappear from shelves entirely. In this case, the discounts tend to be less significant, and tend to occur as part of sale events or when a manufacturer is hoping to run out stock.
When it comes to flagship devices from other manufacturers - such as OPPO - the same general rule applies as to other Android phones. The longer a phone - in this case, the Find X2 Pro - has been on the market, the higher the chance of a discount.
When is the right time to upgrade my old device?
A device's product cycle is a great indicator of when might be a good time to upgrade, but you should also consider the state of your current device. There's nothing wrong with buying a new phone for the sake of buying a new phone, but it's also worth considering if you can hold onto your device for a little longer.
While many of us hold on to a phone for two or three years, there are ways to extend its life. If you've got an iPhone, for example, Apple offers battery replacements that can help eek a bit more life out of your current device. You can also consider options like screen repairs in the case of a damaged phone.
Ultimately, your decision to upgrade will come down to your specific wants and needs. If your current phone isn't cutting it, or the new model has a feature you just need to have, go ahead and upgrade.
Alex Choros
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