In today's market, your smartphone might be the only thing in your pocket that's gaining value. While we're used to electronics getting cheaper as they age, a combination of RAM shortages, shifting tariffs and inflation is forcing months-old smartphones to get unprecedented midlife price hikes of up to $200.

Meanwhile, new phones that usually get major upgrades each year aren't seeing meaningful quality-of-life improvements, yet we're still paying a premium. The new 256GB Samsung Galaxy S26 starts at $900, raising the entry point for the company's flagship phone line. The 256GB model of last year's Galaxy S25 also got a price bump, as Samsung quietly increases the online cost of its foldables and other devices.

It's not just Samsung. Motorola inflated the price of several of its Moto G models only a few months after launch, even though its devices are geared toward cost-conscious consumers.

The sticker shock in the mobile world is part of a wider contagion affecting the entire electronics market, including the PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X/S consoles. But while pricey is the new industry standard, you don't have to accept it. By getting a little creative and broadening your criteria, you can still secure a great phone without cramping your budget.

1. Avoid buying the newest phone

Most of us buy a new device to extend our phone's battery life, get more storage or upgrade our camera. But over the past two years, many phones have only seen small improvements in these areas. Phones from one or two years ago have comparable cameras and batteries, and offer increased storage options, all while getting new features through software updates.

Samsung's Galaxy S26 seems particularly stagnant this year. In his Galaxy S26 review, CNET Managing Editor David Lumb didn't find any particular upgrades that would justify the phone's higher starting price, aside from a storage bump and marginally improved battery capacity. While the phone's cameras likely benefit from its newer, faster processor, Samsung's still using the same camera suite dating back to the Galaxy S23: a 50-megapixel wide, 12-megapixel ultrawide, and 10-megapixel telephoto with 3x optical zoom. 

If you're coming from a much older phone like Samsung's Galaxy S21 (or earlier), you might benefit from upgrading to a less recent model, like the Samsung Galaxy S24 or S25. You can also save money by shopping with retailers rather than buying directly from Samsung. 

You could also try to simply extend the life of your current phone. It might be more cost-effective to replace your phone's battery, backup older photos and videos to free up storage and try out new ways of taking photos rather than relying on buying a whole new device. 

2. Make sure a cheaper phone gets software updates

I review a lot of lower-cost phones, and a major way many of them skimp is by offering only two or three years of software and security updates. 

As prices rise, especially for devices costing $500 or less, you might end up purchasing a moderately priced phone that shouldn't be used past its third year, which doesn't give you much longevity. When a manufacturer isn't actively providing security updates, that phone becomes more vulnerable to data exploits.

For instance, while I quite like the new $500 Moto G Stylus, I knocked it for only having a three-year commitment for security updates when other companies are providing at least double that. I have similar issues with RedMagic, which makes gaming-focused phones at a value price, but the company's software and security support is also limited to three years. Likewise, TCL's phones have rock-bottom prices, but the company only pledges two years of support.

If hardware prices are ticking up, I'd like to see phone-makers focus on improving device lifespan, especially since they know customers are less likely to spend $500 on a new phone every two to three years.

Samsung and Google's under-$500 phones often offer superior software and security support. Samsung, for one, guarantees its Galaxy A phones six years of software updates, and the $499 Pixel 10A gets seven years. While I had issues with the Pixel 10A's strong similarity to the Pixel 9A (it retained the same processor, camera and battery), when the Pixel 9A is discounted to $399, you'll get a quality, more affordable phone with six years of software updates.

3. Hit the refurbished market

Apart from eyeing sales for older devices, you can check out refurbished phones offered directly by Apple, Google and Samsung. While these phones are technically used, they're fixed up by their manufacturer and sold like new. When I browse these stores, I don't usually see dramatic discounts, but the devices are always marked below their original price.

If you're particularly cost-conscious, the used phone market is worth considering. When I tried out a used iPhone 13 Mini, I discovered that it's critical to have a generous return policy so the phone's battery life and condition work for you. These phones will show visible wear, and their batteries may be degraded from use by their prior owner. 

However, used devices are often much cheaper than a comparably priced new phone and could even be worth the extra expense of replacing the battery and getting a case.

Watch this: I Try Out a Used iPhone 13 Mini in 2025. Can It Be a Better Buy Than an iPhone Air?

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