When to buy a phone: the 2026 release calendar
Phone prices follow a predictable calendar. Buy at the right moment and you can get the same phone for noticeably less — or the newer model for the same money. Here is how 2026 has played out so far.
The 2026 launch calendar
| Date | Launch |
|---|---|
| February 18 | Google Pixel 10a pre-orders open ($499) |
| February 25 | Samsung Galaxy S26, S26+ and S26 Ultra announced (on sale March 11) |
| March 2 | Apple iPhone 17e announced |
| March 25 | Samsung Galaxy A57 and A37 announced |
| July 22 | Galaxy Z Fold8 Ultra, Z Fold8 and Z Flip8 announced |
| August 12 | Google Pixel 11, 11 Pro and 11 Pro XL announced |
| September 9 | iPhone 18 Pro, 18 Pro Max and the foldable iPhone Duo announced |
| October 23 | iPhone Duo goes on sale |
| November 27 | Black Friday |
What changed this year
- Apple split its launch. Only the Pro models and the Duo arrived in September. Reports point to the standard iPhone 18 and a new “e” model in spring 2027.
- Prices went up. Apple raised iPhone prices by $100 across the board on September 9, and Samsung’s new foldables also cost more than last year’s models.
The worst time to buy
The month before a new model arrives. You pay close to full price for a phone that is about to become “last year’s”, and its price often drops soon after.
The best times to buy
- Launch week — pre-order bonuses such as free storage upgrades and boosted trade-in values can be generous.
- Right after a successor launches — outgoing models are discounted while stock clears. The iPhone 17 Pro, discontinued by Apple in September, is now mostly sold by third-party retailers and refurbishers.
- Black Friday (November 27, 2026) — regularly brings the deepest discounts of the year, especially on Galaxy S26 and Pixel 11 phones.
Patience pays: a flagship a few months after launch is usually the sweet spot between price and freshness.
One more tip
Set price alerts at two or three retailers for the exact model and storage size you want. When the price hits your target, buy — and stop checking.
Cover photo (cropped): CHOADAICHONG MinuddR, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
