GoKawiilIn 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.
If you shop around, other retailers are still selling the Galaxy S25 at a lower price than Samsung itself. James Martin/CNET
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.
Many phones that were released in 2025 haven't yet seen price increases, but we'll find out later in 2026 if their follow-ups are more expensive. Jeff Carlson/CNET
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.
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