Admittedly, our list of the best smartphones shows that top-of-the-range devices like the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra or the Google Pixel 10 Pro XL are still playing in the top league. But the differences compared to the previous generation – or even to many mid-range devices – are becoming increasingly minor.
So if you’re thinking of spending 1,000 to 2,000 euros on a new smartphone simply because it’s new or bears a big brand name like Samsung or Apple (I’d never buy an iPhone myself anyway), then you’re letting yourself be blinded by marketing and embellished comparative figures.
Don’t be fooled by the stylish design. You’d definitely not notice the difference between an S26, S25 or S24.
Luke Baker
The current memory crisis is doing its bit to drive up the cost of new devices even further. Or it’s leading manufacturers to simply install less RAM, following the example set by companies like Microsoft.
At the end of the day, it’s your decision what you want to do with your money. But don’t complain when, in a few months’ time, the latest flagship model is already on your doorstep, offering nothing more than AI features and a 0.3 per cent performance boost.
Even our colleagues at Macworld, who usually celebrate every new Apple device, advise giving the upcoming iPhone Ultra a miss. Take their advice and wait for genuine innovations instead.
It’s equally worrying when a tech CEO publicly says the best time to buy a phone was yesterday.
