How soon do you buy a phone after it's released?

Galaxy S20, S20+ and S20 Ultra
Galaxy S20, S20+ and S20 Ultra (Image credit: Andrew Martonik / Android Central)

The announcement/launch of a new phone is a really exciting time. There's a lot of press and buzz surrounding it, there are plenty of specs and features that weren't available in the previous generation, and a lot of your friends/colleagues are likely talking about that new phone, too.

Being among the first to go out and buy that latest phone release can be awfully tempting, but it's also the most expensive time in a phone's life cycle to purchase it. It may not be as hip or in-style to buy the most current Galaxy or iPhone six months after it came out, but the savings potential from various deals and discounts can be a lot easier on your wallet.

Some of our AC forum members recently got to talking about how soon they buy phones after they're released, and this is what they had to say.

Wandering if anyone has any data about what percentage of flagships are bought more then a year after launch. I always recommend to fam and friends buying a flagship right after its sequel is launched because I feel that's when you get more bang for your buck. How much of the market acts this way? Also it might anecdotally explain why I feel like I never really see the s20 around that much...

Casualballer

Very interesting thread - thank you for posting! I *sort of* follow your notion: I'll buy a flagship maybe six to eight months after its launch. That way, if there are any issues, they will have been fixed by then; or I'll at least know about them and can look elsewhere. I bought my Google Pixel 2 six months after its launch; and my S10 seven months after its launch. However, I do remember...

Morty2264

Funny. I was just telling my wife this morning about how rumors are saying the Note 20 will be more expensive than ever this year. I told her I might upgrade to the S20 after a price drop instead of waiting for the S21/S30. It's pointless to buy a flagship at launch these days.

gendo667

Two weeks after the S20 launch I bought an unlocked S10+ from BB for $500. Coming out of an S6 I thought my new phone was super fast and I have no regrets having saved over $500.

dpomerance

Now, we want to hear from you! How soon do you buy a phone after it's released?

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Joe Maring

Joe Maring was a Senior Editor for Android Central between 2017 and 2021. You can reach him on Twitter at @JoeMaring1.