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.
Key takeaways The No. 1 must-have feature when upgrading phones is better battery life.
48% are motivated to get a new phone for upgraded technology and features.
42% upgrade due to issues like slow speed or battery problems.
29% of US adults plan to spend between $1,000 and close to $1,500 on a phone upgrade, whereas 22% plan to spend less than $500.
The No. 1 must-have feature is good battery life
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