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ZDNET’s key takeaways
- The smartphone market is dealing with stress because of the provide constraints of reminiscence chips
- Telephones launched in 2026 have been underwhelming, and lots of have seen value hikes.
- The highest telephones from 2025 are discounted now, making them a greater buy than newer gadgets.
In case you’re out there for a brand new smartphone, you may be higher off shopping for one from 2025 proper now. Latest telephones, particularly mid-rangers, have delivered underwhelming upgrades, whereas additionally seeing value hikes.
Additionally: Why you may pay extra for telephones and computer systems in 2026
As companies scoop increasingly reminiscence for his or her AI information facilities and {hardware}, fewer reminiscence chips can be found for client merchandise. That is making a scarcity and subsequent value will increase. The telephones launched in 2026 are dealing with more durable competitors from their predecessors than from their rivals.
The dilemma with new telephones in 2026
In line with a December report from IDC, the scarcity of DRAM and NAND chips utilized in PCs, smartphones, and different client electronics is placing stress on the general market. IDC expects the smartphone market to proceed dealing with stress this 12 months.
“The cost structure of a smartphone is heavily dependent on the memory used,” IDC analysts defined. “For a mid-range device, memory can represent 15-20% of the total bill of materials (BOM), while for a high-end flagship device, it is around 10-15%. As memory prices continue to surge, OEMs will likely have to raise prices significantly, cut specifications, or both.”
A Counterpoint Analysis report from February states that RAM costs are spiking, reaching 3 times final 12 months’s ranges. The harshest after-effects can be on the most affordable telephones, which function on already-thin margins and usually tend to see their earnings evaporate and not using a value improve.
Additionally: AI is not getting smarter, it is getting extra energy hungry – and costly
We now have 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 value, the Galaxy A57 is $50 dearer at $550 (versus the $500 Galaxy A56 at launch).
Alternatively, lower-end Motorola G-series telephones at the moment are as much as $100 dearer on the official web site, as first noticed by PhoneArena. Whereas Amazon remains to be promoting them at outdated costs, any value hike within the finances phase stings greater than a $100 or perhaps a $200 increase on a flagship telephone.
That is why, for those who’re on a finances, you need to have a look at 2025 telephones as an alternative of shopping for a more recent mannequin. This is the place the excellent news is available in.
Your finest options exist already (and for much less cash)
When new telephones do not supply significant upgrades, older ones grow to be extra interesting, particularly at discounted costs. This is a breakdown of some worthwhile choices, primarily based on our testing.
The newest Google Pixel 10a, with an outdated Tensor G4 chipset from 2024 and older cameras, launched at $500 a number of months in the past. Whereas it is nonetheless $300 lower than final 12 months’s Pixel 10 at retail value, the Pixel 10, which gives extra RAM (12GB versus 8GB), a devoted telephoto digital camera, and even PixelSnap magnetic wi-fi charging, may be had immediately for as little as $550 — pending reductions.
In some circumstances, you could even be capable of purchase a second-hand Pixel 10 machine for lower than that, with the largest caveat being that you just void any retailer’s insurance coverage. Objectively talking, it is nonetheless a a lot better-value telephone possibility.
Samsung
For Samsung, I might suggest final 12 months’s Galaxy S25 collection, which incorporates fashions spec’ed equally to this 12 months’s Galaxy S26 collection, from the bottom mannequin to the Plus to the Extremely.
Additionally: Samsung Galaxy S26 Extremely vs. S25 Extremely: I in contrast the flagship telephones to resolve the higher purchase
Contemplating the modest upgrades we noticed within the newest telephones, together with no main digital camera or battery modifications, the S25 collection remains to be extremely really useful in 2026. Simply do not count on Samsung to supply probably the most aggressive trade-in gives for those who resolve to purchase one straight from the shop.
Apple
Apple’s trajectory seems to be totally different — not less than for now. Following the excessive value-for-money debut of the MacBook Neo, the iPhone 17 collection maintains that momentum. By holding the road on pricing relative to the iPhone 16 whereas introducing a versatile 18MP selfie digital camera, a sooner processor, and 120Hz shows on base fashions, Apple has considerably raised the ground for customers.
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 shoppers. With provide constraints driving costs up and innovation plateaus diminishing returns, older fashions at present supply far superior worth.
Whereas we are able to hope for a market correction, the period of “more for less” is much less frequent by the day — and this stagnation is the brand new regular, making it all of the extra essential for shoppers such as you to buy smarter, not more durable.
