5 outdated Android telephones to purchase as an alternative

The RAM disaster has led many new Android telephones to skyrocket in value in 2026. Nonetheless, we’ve additionally seen some corporations take a special strategy, providing minimal upgrades over the earlier era. And even in these instances, costs can nonetheless go up.

Both method, I’d argue that that is one yr when it’s typically higher to purchase final yr’s telephone moderately than the most recent mannequin. Don’t consider me? Listed below are 5 older telephones value shopping for over the present era.

The Galaxy S25 is among the higher older telephones you should buy in 2026, and also you solely want to have a look at the Galaxy S26 value to know why. The brand new telephone lastly ditches 128GB of base storage in favor of 256GB, nevertheless it now prices $900. In contrast, the 128GB Galaxy S25 launched at $800 whereas the 256GB mannequin retailed for $850. In different phrases, you’re paying $50 greater than final yr’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You aren’t lacking out on a lot by choosing the outdated flagship, both.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 admire pocket-friendly telephones may also be glad to know that the S25 is slightly smaller than the S26.

You may undoubtedly discover the Galaxy S25 at an affordable value nowadays. Samsung’s web site nonetheless lists the unique $800 price ticket, however the international mannequin is listed at ~$700 on Amazon. So that you’re mainly getting 95% of the Galaxy S26 for $200 much less.

The Moto G Stylus (2026) launched at $500, making it $100 costlier than the 2025 mannequin. What do you get for the additional money? Effectively, you’re mainly simply getting an energetic stylus, a brighter display screen, a barely bigger battery, and a considerably gimmicky IP69 ranking. 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 equivalent cameras. Each telephones can be found in 8GB/128GB and 8GB/256GB flavors, too. Energy customers may also be glad to know that you just’re getting a microSD card slot and a headphone jack, regardless of which system you select.

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

With the $500 Pixel 10a, Google bucked the more and more widespread development of RAM-related value hikes. That’s nice information, nevertheless 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 ranking, and wi-fi charging assist. 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 an alternative go in the 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 reality, he felt that a lot 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 may even discover worldwide Galaxy A56 fashions for ~$400 on Amazon, making it an excellent buy should you’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 ranking, a glossy 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 should you actually desire a mid-range Samsung telephone, you may as effectively get the marginally older one.

Is that this the best advice on our record? It’s robust to argue, because the $699 Motorola Razr (2025) is $100 cheaper than its successor. In reality, the older mannequin is at the moment out there for $599 through Motorola’s web site and Amazon.

The brand new 2026 Razr does deliver a number of upgrades for the additional money. There’s a higher-resolution ultrawide digital camera and a bigger battery, whereas the chipset is actually the identical as final yr’s foldable. However are these upgrades value a minimum of $100 further? 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 ranking, the identical screens, and the identical wired/wi-fi charging capabilities, and the outdated telephone is a no brainer.