Do you need the latest and greatest phone?
Shiny, new things sure have their appeal — take the brand-new Apple iPhone 16. But are the newest flagship phones and laptops worth the extra premium you pay to get them?
Most of the time, and for most people, no. There are a few good reasons why. If you’re tempted by a new smartphone that costs more than a mortgage payment, keep reading. I’ll help you figure out what’s right for you.
Remember this time last year?
Everything from Apple revolved around how amazing the iPhone 15 was. And while the iPhone 16 is now grabbing everyone’s attention, the iPhone 15 hasn’t suddenly become a dud. It’s all a gimmick, and Google, Samsung and every other device maker pulls the same marketing trick.
The iPhone 15 is on sale, starting at $100 less than the iPhone 16. And get this: It still runs the same iOS 18 software. You do miss out on some of the Apple Intelligence (AI) features, but I bet there’s a side of you that might consider this a blessing …
Rule of thumb: Go one generation back
Nearly new is often the way to go with phones, tablets, laptops and other tech. I don’t mean used (though I’ll get to that below) but, rather, the generation. For most folks, the previous version (or two) works just as well as the bright and shiny new ones.
And remember, retailers want to sell the latest and greatest, so devices that have just been replaced get the biggest discounts.
Be honest with yourself about what you really need. For some, it’s the fastest possible speeds and cutting-edge features. That’s why I bought the iPhone 16 Pro Max. Plus, a Digital Goddess can’t be sporting old tech!
Barry wants to trade up from his iPhone 14 Pro Max to my iPhone 15 Pro Max. It’s still a great, fast, top-of-the-line phone. But Ian’s iPhone 13 is starting to show its age.
How to buy the right tech for you
It’s hard to navigate all the marketing speak and selling points. That’s why it’s good you have me!
- Know end-of-life dates so you don’t buy junk. There are way more unsupported programs and devices than I can list here. For a full list of tech in its twilight years, head to endoflife.date. It’s a fast and easy way to check your everyday gear.
- Go for 8GB of RAM minimum for phones and laptops. That’s the thinking space your devices need to run today’s apps without slowing to a crawl. And for all of you saying that’s too low, I said minimum!
- Storage space is less important now that we’re all streaming and uploading to the cloud. Don’t go lower than 256GB on a phone or 512GB on a desktop or laptop.
- Steer clear of super-cheap devices. Secondhand, newer alternatives are your best bet when money is tight. Amazon Refurbished is a solid place to look since you can return used tech that’s not up to snuff.
- Try comparison tools. Manufacturers use these to show you how one device differs from another. Apple has a cool iPhone comparison chart here.
- Don’t get roped in by buzzwords; look at the raw specs instead. Something is only as “innovative” or “groundbreaking” as its specs say it is.
Final word of wisdom: Protect your tech the right way. Put a case on your new phone or you’ll regret it. Yeah, I speak from experience. Now, use the icons below to share this intel with your peeps.
Don’t get left behind – Stay tech ahead
Award-winning host Kim Komando is your secret weapon for navigating tech.
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Tags: Amazon, Apple, apps, devices, Google, phone, smartphones, space, tech
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