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ZDNET’s key takeaways
- The smartphone market is dealing with strain because of the provide constraints of reminiscence chips
- Telephones launched in 2026 have been underwhelming, and lots of have seen worth hikes.
- The highest telephones from 2025 are discounted now, making them a greater buy than newer units.
When you’re out there 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 will pay extra for telephones and computer systems in 2026
As companies scoop increasingly more reminiscence for his or her AI knowledge facilities and {hardware}, fewer reminiscence chips can be found for shopper merchandise. That is making a scarcity and subsequent worth will increase. The telephones launched in 2026 are dealing with harder competitors from their predecessors than from their rivals.
The dilemma with new telephones in 2026
Kyle Kucharski/ZDNET
In line with a December report from IDC, the scarcity of DRAM and NAND chips utilized in PCs, smartphones, and different shopper electronics is placing strain on the general market. IDC expects the smartphone market to proceed dealing with strain this yr.
“The price construction of a smartphone is closely depending on the reminiscence used,” IDC analysts defined. “For a mid-range system, reminiscence can symbolize 15-20% of the full invoice of supplies (BOM), whereas for a high-end flagship system, it’s round 10-15%. As reminiscence costs proceed to surge, OEMs will possible have to boost costs considerably, lower specs, or each.”
A Counterpoint Analysis report from February states that RAM costs are spiking, reaching 3 times final yr’s ranges. The harshest after-effects might be on the most affordable telephones, which function on already-thin margins and usually tend to see their earnings evaporate with out a worth enhance.
Additionally: AI is not getting smarter, it is getting extra energy hungry – and costly
Now we have been noticing these shifts in Google’s Pixel 10a and Samsung’s Galaxy A57, that are largely unchanged this yr. Whereas the Google cellphone is now right down to $450 on Amazon in comparison with its $500 launch worth, the Galaxy A57 is $50 dearer at $550 (versus the $500 Galaxy A56 at launch).
Then again, 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 previous costs, any worth hike within the price range section stings greater than a $100 or perhaps a $200 elevate on a flagship cellphone.
That is why, if you happen to’re on a price range, 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 greatest options exist already (and for much less cash)
When new telephones do not supply significant upgrades, older ones turn out to be extra interesting, particularly at discounted costs. This is a breakdown of some worthwhile choices, based mostly on our testing.
Kerry Wan/ZDNET
The newest Google Pixel 10a, with an outdated Tensor G4 chipset from 2024 and older cameras, launched at $500 just a few months in the past. Whereas it is nonetheless $300 lower than final yr’s Pixel 10 at retail worth, the Pixel 10, which gives extra RAM (12GB versus 8GB), a devoted telephoto digicam, and even PixelSnap magnetic wi-fi charging, might be had right this moment for as little as $550 — pending reductions.
In some circumstances, it’s possible you’ll even be capable of purchase a second-hand Pixel 10 system 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 cellphone choice.
Samsung
Kerry Wan/ZDNET
For Samsung, I would advocate final yr’s Galaxy S25 collection, which incorporates fashions spec’ed equally to this yr’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 determine the higher purchase
Contemplating the modest upgrades we noticed within the newest telephones, together with no main digicam or battery modifications, the S25 collection remains to be extremely advisable in 2026. Simply do not count on Samsung to supply essentially the most aggressive trade-in gives if you happen to determine to purchase one instantly from the shop.
Apple
Kyle Kucharski/ZDNET
Apple’s trajectory seems totally different — at the very least 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 digicam, a quicker processor, and 120Hz shows on base fashions, Apple has considerably raised the ground for customers.
Whereas the $600 iPhone 17e is a harder promote on worth alone, its year-over-year upgrades nonetheless outpace midrange choices from Samsung and Google, making it, too, a viable choice this yr.
Backside line
However because it stands, 2026 is shaping as much as be a “skip” yr for shoppers. With provide constraints driving costs up and innovation plateaus diminishing returns, older fashions at the moment supply far superior worth.
Whereas we will 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 vital for shoppers such as you to buy smarter, not more durable.
