Premium phones can easily cost more than $1,000, but less expensive models can perform extremely well, and there are plenty of great picks that cost under $600. It all depends on which features really matter to you.
Steep discounts and convenient payment plans are often available from cell phone service providers—you just need to make sure you understand the terms. If you get a high-end phone for just a few hundred dollars from a carrier, you’ll need to stick with that company until the phone is paid off or you may owe the balance on the original, full price.
Here’s a guide to help you sort through the options, including phone operating systems and features.
Do You Need a New Phone?
The following is a list of four scenarios in which it might be preferable to purchase a new phone rather than repairing or replacing components in an existing one. Your Phone’s Performance Is Lagging
You can replace a cracked display or an anemic battery, but when you start to notice performance issues like sluggish response times or frequent crashes, even when your phone’s operating system (OS) is fully updated, then it’s probably time to replace your device.
Your Phone No Longer Receives Security Updates
Updates for security software help fix flaws and keep you and your private data safe. But manufacturers typically stop offering security updates for a specific model after a certain number of years. If your phone is so old that it’s no longer receiving those updates, it’s probably time to say goodbye.
The latest version of iOS 18, for example, supports iPhones dating back to the iPhone XS, which was released in 2018. If you have an iPhone XS or later, this indicates that you will receive regular updates that include security updates and new features. For their most recent phones, Samsung and Google provide updates for up to seven years. For other Android phone manufacturers, operating system and security update policies often vary by device.