Upgrading your smartphone comes with a slew of questions, like when's the right time to upgrade for the best deal, what features you need and how much you're willing to pay.

In CNET Group's TechPulse survey, 28% of US adults planned to purchase a new phone within the next six months. However, they were also nearly evenly divided in how much they're willing to spend.

Some 29% are willing to spend between $1,000 and $1,500, 22% plan to spend under $500, and the rest have budgets in between. And the biggest reason for an upgrade was better battery life. 

Take the $1,300 Galaxy S26 Ultra 512GB model, for example. Samsung says the Galaxy S26 Ultra can charge from 0% to 75% within half an hour. Yet, Apple's newest iPhone 17E 128GB model costs $599 and reaches 50% in the same time. Plus, the iPhone 17E's battery life lasts for 26 hours of video playback. A phone upgrade may sound like a good idea if you can barely make it through a full workday without needing a charger, but how much are you willing to pay for better battery life and the new tech and features that come with it? 

Upgrading your smartphone can sometimes cost over $1,000, so it takes careful consideration, timing and research to narrow down the right phone. That can be overwhelming. Here's what's driving US adults to upgrade, what features matter most and our experts' advice to help you pick the phone that fits your needs and budget. 

The No. 1 must-have feature is good battery life 

We all have a list of must-haves for our smartphones -- they help us with many daily tasks. When it comes to upgrading smartphones, the top feature US adults want is better battery life (80%). Other must-have features include 5G connectivity (65%), storage capacity (64%) and fast charging (57%).

Abrar Al-Heeti, CNET's senior technology reporter, agrees that battery life is the most important feature and explained how it supports the advanced features most new phones have. 

"Battery is the most important smartphone feature for a lot of people because even if your phone is loaded with every new AI feature or can take great pictures, that's not any use if the battery can't last a full day and then some," Al-Heeti says. "Consumers don't want to worry about making sure they have enough charge each time they leave the house or worry about being stranded with a dead phone."

If you're looking for the best phone for battery life, CNET phone experts recommend the iPhone 17 Pro Max. It doesn't have the largest battery, but experts say it's the most efficient considering the phone's A19 chip and iOS 26. 

However, the iPhone 17 Pro Max starts at $1,199, which can be costly for some budgets. Experts recommend the OnePlus 15 or the Poco F7 Ultra for more affordable options. 

Watch this: The iPhone 17 Pro Max Has Incredible Battery Life

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Consider older phone models, too. Andrew Lanxon, CNET's principal mobile writer, says don't be afraid to buy last year's model -- even if it's used. Even though a phone is a year or two older, you may still get the features and tech you need for less. Since most brands can run the newest software for older phones, you may be able to use the phone for years before needing to upgrade again, Lanxon adds. 

However, if you're getting an older or refurbished phone, be mindful of the battery life if that's important to you. Since it may not be upgraded, you may need to replace the battery sooner than anticipated, or you may choose to get a newer phone.

Nearly half of US adults are motivated to upgrade to new technology and features

Phones have come a long way since my iPhone 14 Pro, which I'm still holding onto. The iPhone 17's features and hardware upgrades include a Dynamic Island, an action button and USB-C charging, all of which are significant changes from my phone. And the Galaxy S26 Ultra is a slim phone with a large screen and new AI-driven features. 

Nearly half (48%) of US adults are ready for upgraded technology and features. On the other hand, over four in 10 are led to upgrade due to performance issues, including low speed and battery problems.

Updating your phone's software may give you some of the latest features, but some phone hardware, like your battery, doesn't always stand the test of time. 

Al-Heeti says that even though there have definitely been battery improvements over the last few years, your phone's battery will get worse over time -- sometimes within just two years. 

If you're experiencing slow speeds or a battery issue, try these fixes first to save yourself money, especially if you're otherwise satisfied with your phone. 

If your phone's speed is slow, free up storage by deleting unused files and apps. To mitigate the risk of shortening your phone's battery life, try enabling Optimized Battery Charging on your iPhone, Battery Protection on your Samsung phone, and Adaptive Charging on your Google Pixel phone, Al-Heeti says. 

Watch this: Tips to Extend Your Phone's Battery Life

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You can try replacing your phone's battery yourself, but Lanxon recommends checking your phone's warranty first. Tampering with your phone may void its warranty. If these and other fixes don't work, it may be time to upgrade your phone. 

Read more: I Found the Final Boss of Android Speed Fixes, and It'll Save You Hundreds This Year

Expert advice: How to upgrade your phone and stay within your budget 

Getting a new phone is an investment. Some of the best smartphones are close to (or over) $1,000.

CNET found that 29% of US adults plan to spend between $1,000 and $1,500, while 22% plan to spend less than $500. And 16% have a budget between $750 and $1,000, while 15% are planning to spend between $500 and $750. 

Despite varying budgets, CNET's survey also found that nearly half of tech shoppers expect to sacrifice specific features to stay within budget (41%). There's a balancing act when upgrading your phone to get the features you want and stay within your budget. 

"It's important that people really consider exactly what they need from their phone," Lanxon says. "While it might be exciting to get the latest flagship from Samsung or Apple, the top-performing models will cost the most money."

You can shop for midrange phones if some features aren't must-haves, like camera upgrades or processing power. 

"Google's base Pixel 10, for example, dispenses with the Pro's telephoto camera and costs $200 less as a result. By understanding what features matter most -- and which aren't of interest -- users can make better use of their budget," Lanxon says. 

The right deal can help you save money. Historically, our experts have found that you can save money on a slightly older phone when a new one is released. For example, you may see deals on iPhone 17 models when the rumored iPhone 18 is released. You may get the phone and features you need if you're OK with a later model. For example, Al-Heeti notes that the Pixel 10A, Galaxy S25 FE and iPhone 16E all have excellent cameras, even though they're later models. 

Methodology

A quantitative online survey was conducted from Oct. 27 to Nov. 9, 2025, with US adults ages 18 to 70 in partnership with Method and Mode. The study surveyed more than 3,700 respondents, including N=2,665 CNET Media Group consumers and a nationally representative sample of N=1,050 adults, weighted to US Census benchmarks for age, gender and region. All results are quantitative, with differences between sub-segments statistically significant at the 95% confidence level.