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Discover the best times to buy a phone and learn how to spot and avoid fake discounts.
Written by Sneha Kashyap, Content and PR Executive | Conscious Consumption and Tech Trends
Last updated on 9 February 2026
With new phones hitting the market regularly nowadays, and Samsung’s Galaxy Unpacked just around the corner, it’s tempting to give in to the urge to buy a new phone. Models come and go, but the bottom line remains the same - the best time to buy a new phone is when you truly need an upgrade, whether that’s due to physical wear, poor battery life, or your device no longer receiving software updates.
But what about timing your purchase to get the best deal? While Black Friday and Boxing Day sales are well-known, there are other strategic times in the year when you can snag big discounts on both brand-new and slightly older models.
Here’s when to buy a new phone in 2026, and how to make sure you’re not overpaying.
We often think that finding the best price on a new phone is pure luck, but knowing when to get lucky and find a good deal requires more than just stars aligning. For instance, Black Friday, Boxing Day, and post-Christmas sales are known for retailers lowering prices on electronics. But, beware of false discounts as not all deals are as great as they may seem.
We all expect phones and electronics to cost peanuts during Black Friday, but deals on the latest models are usually non-existent. Retailers sweeten the deal with SIM plan offers to lure you in, but the phone cost is rarely discounted. Apple typically does not offer discounts on its products, so it would be unrealistic to expect a price reduction on the latest iPhone or Apple product.
Although, bear in mind that you may be able to get a good deal on an older generation model instead! Remember that retailers and networks start offering deals well before Black Friday even during summertime, so look around ahead of time. Don’t forget about Cyber Monday, when prices are cut even further online once Black Friday is over.
"We found that 86% of products were the same price or cheaper outside of the sales period."
However, you should still do your research, because genuine discounts are often few and far in between. Some retailers even offer misleading discounts that can confuse customers and push them to buy products, making them believe they are cheaper. This makes it even more worthwhile to compare prices to get the best deal and avoid spending more than you need to.
According to Which?, Amazon Prime members get access to the best deals on phone brands such as Samsung, Google Pixel, and other electronics. Even if you don’t have a Prime account, you may still be able to save some money through these deals. You can sign up in the first week of July or even the day before Prime Day, shop all the deals, and take advantage of any pre-sales and their benefits. Once your free trial is over, just remember to close your account before getting charged!
While loyal Apple fans kept their eyes peeled for the latest iPhone 17 to launch, older iPhones steadily dropped in prices due to trade-ins. This is not a new story as phones depreciate in value over time, with the biggest losses sustained during the first year of its launch in the market. Naturally, therefore, the period before a new model launches one of the smartest times to save money on a new phone.
You can get a flagship phone from Apple or Samsung that's still quite powerful, but at a sigbnificantly lower price. Retailers and network providers also offer bundle deals or flat discounts on last year’s model in the weeks leading up to a big release.
Here's when major brands release their phones - and when to find deals:
Apple iPhones: New models arrive in September. Look for price drops on older models starting late August and carrying on through September, early October.
Samsung Galaxy Series: Flagships (like Galaxy S series) launch in February-March. Discounts begin around August.
Google Pixel: Typically released in October. Best discounts appear pre-launch and three months after.
Typically, three to four months after a model launches is when retailers and Android manufacturers lower their prices as the initial hype dies down. So if you’re not in a rush, this can be a good time to save some money on a new phone.
At this point, any launch bugs or performance issues will likely have been fixed through software updates, so you’ll also be buying a more stable and refined version of the device. This is especially common with Android phones, where pricing tends to drop faster.
It’s natural to be buzzing with questions when you’re about to buy a new phone; after all, it’s a significant purchase where you’re spending your hard-earned money. That’s why we’ve compiled the most common questions people ask when it comes to saving money on a new phone.
November and July are typically the best months to buy a new phone owing to Black Friday and Amazon Prime Day sales. You can also get some deals during the post-holiday season in Jan/Feb. August always has the best student deals as it’s just before the back to school season.
Black Friday. There’s a reason why this annual event is so hyped up. Every year smartphone retailers unveil their biggest deals and discounts on Black Friday, making it the best time of the year to buy a new phone.
Absolutely. Buying a phone outright with a SIM-only deal is cheaper in the long run as you get more flexibility if you want to switch providers, and can avoid inflated phone contract costs. Bear in mind that you will have to make a hefty payment upfront though. Always compare handset prices, the SIM-only cost, and think about what you actually need.
There are a few ways you can transfer photos from your old phone to your new one. Depending on whether they’re both iPhone or Android, or a mix of both, you can use Smart Switch, iCloud, a computer, Quickstart, etc. We’ve covered this in more detail in our previous blog about media transfer. You can read it here.
If you’re absolutely keen on getting the latest model once it launches, your best bet is to compare pre-order offers. Some network providers offer flat discounts to those who pre-order to ensure more interest and sales. Manufacturers tend to bundle up the new phone with gifts, accessories, or a few months of free subscriptions.
Want to save even more? Consider buying a refurbished phone - they’re cheaper, more sustainable, and often indistinguishable from new.
So, when is the best time to buy a new phone?
• iPhones: August-September, just before the new model launches
• Android phones: Around 3-4 months after release
• Extra savings: Refurbished phones and selling your old device
Timing your upgrade right, and selling your current phone, can dramatically cut the cost of upgrading without sacrificing performance.
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