5 outdated Android telephones to purchase as a substitute

The RAM disaster has led many new Android telephones to skyrocket in value in 2026. Nevertheless, we’ve additionally seen some firms take a distinct strategy, providing minimal upgrades over the earlier technology. And even in these circumstances, costs can nonetheless go up.

Both method, I’d argue that that is one 12 months when it’s usually higher to purchase final 12 months’s telephone slightly than the most recent mannequin. Don’t imagine me? Listed below are 5 older telephones value shopping for over the present technology.

The Galaxy S25 is likely one of the higher older telephones you should purchase in 2026, and also you solely want to take a look at the Galaxy S26 value to grasp why. The brand new telephone lastly ditches 128GB of base storage in favor of 256GB, however it now prices $900. Against this, the 128GB Galaxy S25 launched at $800 whereas the 256GB mannequin retailed for $850. In different phrases, you’re paying $50 greater than final 12 months’s telephone for a similar quantity of storage.

You aren’t lacking out on a lot by choosing the outdated flagship, both. The Galaxy S25 nonetheless comes with a strong Snapdragon 8 Elite processor, the identical triple rear digital camera system from the Galaxy S22, and the identical glacial 25W wired charging. Individuals who respect pocket-friendly telephones will even be glad to know that the S25 is just a little smaller than the S26.

You possibly can positively discover the Galaxy S25 at an inexpensive value as of late. Samsung’s web site nonetheless lists the unique $800 price ticket, however the world mannequin is listed at ~$700 on Amazon. So that you’re principally getting 95% of the Galaxy S26 for $200 much less.

The Moto G Stylus (2026) launched at $500, making it $100 dearer than the 2025 mannequin. What do you get for the additional money? Properly, you’re principally simply getting an lively stylus, a brighter display, a barely bigger battery, and a considerably gimmicky IP69 score. That’s just about it.

In any other case, the 2 telephones have the identical Snapdragon 6 Gen 3 chip, the identical wired and wi-fi charging speeds, and similar cameras. Each telephones can be found in 8GB/128GB and 8GB/256GB flavors, too. Energy customers will even be glad to know that you just’re getting a microSD card slot and a headphone jack, irrespective of which system you select.

It’s value noting that the 128GB Moto G Stylus 2025 is hard to search out at some retailers, however the 256GB mannequin continues to be out there at a reasonably engaging $350. I must also word that Motorola’s older finances telephones aren’t nice in order for you a protracted replace coverage. But when all you need is an inexpensive, no-frills telephone with a stylus, that is nonetheless a terrific alternative.

With the $500 Pixel 10a, Google bucked the more and more frequent development of RAM-related value hikes. That’s nice information, however it did come on the expense of considerable upgrades over the Pixel 9a.

You’d be hard-pressed to inform the distinction between the 2 telephones. Each gadgets have a succesful Tensor G4 processor, a 5,100mAh battery, a 6.3-inch OLED panel, a 48MP+13MP rear digital camera pairing, an IP68 score, and wi-fi charging help. The one main upgrades you get with the brand new telephone are quicker charging speeds, a lot newer Gorilla Glass safety, and a brighter show.

Maybe the deciding issue within the Pixel 9a’s favor is that it’s out there for ~$440 on platforms like Amazon. That’s a small chunk of change that may as a substitute go in direction of a telephone case or charger. Or again in your pockets.

We simply reviewed the Galaxy A57 5G, and colleague Rushil Agarwal thought it lacked main upgrades over the Galaxy A56 5G. In actual fact, he felt that many of the complaints in regards to the Galaxy A57 5G additionally utilized to the older telephone.

It additionally doesn’t assist the Galaxy A57’s case that it began at $550 versus the outdated telephone’s $500 launch value. You possibly can even discover worldwide Galaxy A56 fashions for ~$400 on Amazon, making it a perfect buy if you happen to’re on T-Cellular. Both method, you’re saving some money by choosing the older system.

The Galaxy A56 5G has a 5,000mAh battery with 45W wired charging, an IP67 score, a smooth design, and 6 years of OS upgrades. We weren’t followers of the chipset or secondary cameras, however the Galaxy A57 5G doesn’t actually enhance issues on this regard. So if you happen to actually desire a mid-range Samsung telephone, you may as properly get the marginally older one.

Is that this the simplest suggestion on our listing? It’s powerful to argue, because the $699 Motorola Razr (2025) is $100 cheaper than its successor. In actual fact, the older mannequin is at present out there for $599 by way of Motorola’s web site and Amazon.

The brand new 2026 Razr does deliver just a few upgrades for the additional money. There’s a higher-resolution ultrawide digital camera and a bigger battery, whereas the chipset is basically the identical as final 12 months’s foldable. However are these upgrades value not less than $100 additional? Not in my e-book.

Motorola’s 2025 Razr additionally comes with 256GB of base storage in comparison with the brand new mannequin’s 128GB. Sure, you’re getting extra storage by shopping for the older telephone. Toss in the identical IP48 score, the identical screens, and the identical wired/wi-fi charging capabilities, and the outdated telephone is a no brainer.