The best older Android phones to buy in 2026 often make far more sense than this year's releases, because a RAM shortage has pushed many new models to higher prices in exchange for only minor upgrades. In several cases you can get roughly 95% of the latest phone's experience for $100 to $200 less by choosing last year's model instead.
Here are five standout older Android phones that beat their newer counterparts on value right now, spanning flagships, mid-rangers and budget picks.
Flagships that still deliver
Samsung Galaxy S25
The Galaxy S25 is one of the easiest recommendations on this list. The newer Galaxy S26 finally moves to 256GB of base storage but costs $900, whereas the S25 launched at $800 for 128GB and $850 for 256GB. The global S25 is now listed around $700 on Amazon. You still get the powerful Snapdragon 8 Elite chip, a triple rear camera and 25W charging, plus a slightly more compact body than the S26.
Motorola Razr (2025)
The $699 Razr (2025) is $100 cheaper than its successor and currently available for about $599 via Motorola and Amazon. The 2026 model adds a higher-resolution ultrawide and a larger battery but uses essentially the same chipset. Crucially, the 2025 Razr ships with 256GB of base storage versus the newer phone's 128GB, so you get more storage for less money alongside the same screens and charging.
Mid-range and budget value
Google Pixel 9a
The Pixel 10a held the line on price at $500, but it brings few meaningful gains over the Pixel 9a. Both share a Tensor G4 chip, a 5,100mAh battery, a 6.3-inch OLED display, a 48MP+13MP camera pairing, an IP68 rating and wireless charging. With the 9a selling for around $440, the newer model's faster charging and brighter screen are hard to justify.
Samsung Galaxy A56 5G
Reviewers found the newer Galaxy A57 5G short on meaningful upgrades over the A56 5G, which also started $50 cheaper at launch. International A56 units now sell for roughly $400 on Amazon. It offers a 5,000mAh battery with 45W charging, an IP67 rating and an impressive six years of OS updates — long-term software support that few rivals match at the price.
Motorola Moto G Stylus (2025)
The 2026 Moto G Stylus jumped to $500, $100 more than the 2025 version, mainly for an active stylus, brighter screen and slightly bigger battery. Otherwise the two share the Snapdragon 6 Gen 3 chip, identical cameras and the same charging. The 256GB 2025 model is still around $350 and keeps a microSD slot and a headphone jack.
Why older Android phones are smarter buys in 2026
The common thread is value erosion at the top of the range. With memory costs climbing across the board, manufacturers are charging more for incremental gains — a slightly brighter panel here, marginally faster charging there. For most buyers, those deltas do not justify a price jump of $100 or more.
If you are weighing up a purchase, our latest mobile coverage tracks pricing and value across new and older handsets, and you can compare specs in more depth through our phone reviews.
The bottom line
With prices rising across the board in 2026, last year's flagships and mid-rangers frequently offer better value than the current generation. Unless you specifically need the newest feature, opting for an older model is often the smarter buy.
Frequently asked questions
Will an older Android phone still get software updates?
Many do. The Galaxy A56 5G, for example, is promised six years of OS updates, so a 2025-era model can stay current well into the decade despite its lower price.
Why are new phones more expensive in 2026?
A RAM shortage has pushed component costs higher, and manufacturers are passing that on while delivering only minor upgrades. That combination is what makes last year's models such strong value.
Which older phone offers the best value overall?
The Galaxy S25 at around $700 stands out for delivering near-flagship performance, while the Pixel 9a at roughly $440 is the strongest budget pick given how little the Pixel 10a adds.
