How Much Should You Really Spend On A New Phone?

The main factor most people should think about when deciding how much to spend on a phone is how much phone they actually need. Sure, you could drop $1,600 on an iPhone 15 Pro Max or a new Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra, but do you really need a massive screen, extra camera features, or an S Pen stylus? If not, there’s no reason to break the bank on the most extravagant option. Most new smartphones have more than enough power to get everything you need done without breaking a sweat.

Smartphone experts tend to divide the devices into three basic categories: budget, midrange, and premium or flagship phones. Which range you’re looking at will depend on what’s most important to you. If you want a smartphone made with premium materials, top-end cameras, a high refresh rate screen, and the latest processor, you’re most likely shopping in the flagship range. If you’re willing to sacrifice in a few of those areas, you’ll find yourself browsing for budget or midrange devices.

If you’re the shutterbug of your friend group, you might want the best cameras available. Gamers who plan to play demanding titles like “Genshin Impact” will probably require the latest processor. On the other hand, maybe you use your phone mostly for staying up to date with emails, texting friends, and browsing social media, in which case you’ll never notice the difference between an expensive flagship and a more affordable midrange phone.