Technologies
Best Cheap Phone of 2025: Get the Most Value for Your Money
We tested dozens of affordable phones, from he $114 Samsung Galaxy A03S to the $500 Google Pixel 8A and $700 OnePlus 13R. Here are the best cheap phones in 2025.
What to Consider
iOS or Android
If your family and friends are on Apple services like iMessage and FaceTime, stick with an iPhone. If you’ve been deep on Samsung, stay on Android. Know that switching between the two has never been easier.
Size
Phones are big in general with the smallest ones having a 6.1-inch screen and large models topping out at 6.8 inches. That makes visiting a store and trying a phone out before you buy it quite important.
Cameras
Phone cameras have gotten better over the past five years, but don’t be fooled by how many cameras a phone has; more is not necessarily better.
Software support
Phone-makers promise varying lengths of long-term software and security support ranging from just one year to as many as seven. These updates not only ensure you get many of the latest features but also keep your phone secure.
In 2025 affordable phones come brimming with features and options from companies like Motorola, Google, Samsung and Apple. After testing and reviewing dozens of cheap handsets, we found there are two pricing sweet spots: $300 and $450. Phones that cost $300 tend to have NFC (for Google Pay), wireless charging and good screen — though cameras can be hit-or-miss, like the $300 Motorola Moto G Power (2024). In the $450 range are phones have solid cameras and features that rival pricier models like the $499 Google Pixel 8A, which won CNET’s Editor’s Choice Award. Out of everything we tested, here are our favorite cheap phones from both price ranges.
What is the best cheap phone?
The Google’s $499 Pixel 8A is our favorite cheap phone. Google delivers all the big features that matter on the Pixel 8A, like top-of-the-line cameras, a peppy processor and years’ worth of software support. And it even has Google’s new Circle to Search tool, which is a fast and fun way to trigger a search just by circling what’s on your screen. Google makes smart compromises to keep costs low making the Pixel 8A a phone that packs an incredible amount of value. We should note that Google announced the Pixel 9A which launches in April. We look forward to testing it and if you’re considering a Pixel 8A and can wait, it might be worth going for the new Pixel 9A instead.
Best cheap phones of 2025
Best Android phone under $500
Pros
- Great camera
- 7 years of software updates
- Many of the same features as the Pixel 8
- Good battery life
Cons
- 256GB storage not available on all models
- Zoomed and low light shots aren’t as clear as the Pixel 8’s
The Pixel 8A is so good and shares so much in common with its pricier siblings. From its selection of AI-powered features like Circle to Search to its cool aesthetic and powerful Tensor G3 processor, that it’s hard to see why anyone would not buy a Pixel 8A.
The Pixel 8 and 9 offer a marginally better camera system, a slightly larger screen and the ability to charge other phones and accessories wirelessly on the back of the device. But those features don’t feel significant enough to impact the buying decision for most people. As I wrote in my review, the Pixel 8A raises the bar for what a $500 phone should be. It also won a CNET Editor’s Choice Award.
Best phone under $300
Pros
- NFC/Google Pay
- Good battery life
- Wireless charging
- Moto shortcuts
Cons
- Short software support timeline
- Screen is too dim in sunlight
- Lacks IP rating for dust and water resistance
The Motorola Moto G Power 5G is the most versatile option in this roundup, offering wireless charging, a 120Hz high refresh rate screen, Google Pay for contactless payments and a fantastic vegan leather design. Combine that with a camera that takes decent photos in bright environments, and a processor that is capable for most daily tasks, and you have a phone that’s both fun to use without cramming itself with the extra bells and whistles we see in higher priced phones.
Even though this phone does suffer from having a shorter software and security support timeline (1 year of major Android OS, three years of security updates) than Samsung’s Galaxy A25 5G, it is a more useful device. And it’s this appeal that makes the Moto G Power 5G our top recommendation for a phone that costs $300 or less.
Best iPhone value
Pros
- Main camera is good
- Autofocus makes selfies look better
- Improved repairability is welcomed
- Action mode is smooth
Cons
- Ultrawide photos are a step down in image quality
- Videos recorded in low light look just OK
- Needs more iOS features for the Plus’ larger screen
At $599, the iPhone 14 is a great buy and solid upgrade, especially if you’re using an 11 or older. There are two models the 6.1-inch iPhone 14 and the 6.7-inch iPhone 14 Plus that normally starts at $699. Both phones are identical and really the deciding factor comes down to screen and battery size as well as price. The iPhone 14 and 14 Plus have a long battery life, fast performance, great durability and wonderful cameras as well as safety features like Crash Detection and Emergency SOS via Satellite.
Both phones came out in September 2022 originally but are still solid options today. In terms of drawbacks, neither phone has a high refresh rate screen, and always-on display or the newer Action button found on the 15 Pro and iPhone 16 series. But at hundreds of dollars less, we think that the iPhone 14 and 14 Plus have the best value to the dollar that Apple currently sells.
Best midrange Android phone for a discount
Pros
- Big screen
- Loud speakers
- Long-lasting battery
- Fast wired charging
Cons
- No wireless charging
- Mixed photography
The $600 OnePlus 13R is one of the most useful phones we’ve tested, even if it’s playing second fiddle to the $900 OnePlus 13. Over his three-week testing period, CNET’s Mike Sorrentino consistently got two full days of use from its 6,000mAh battery. The phone’s big 6.78-inch screen and loud speakers are a joy to use when paired to my Xbox controller while gaming. Even though it runs on Qualcomm’s year-old premium processor used in 2024’s OnePlus 12 and the Galaxy S24, it’s still a very capable chip ready for intensive tasks and AI features. All in all, the OnePlus 13R packs a lot for its lower price. At $600 it’s a decent phone, but we included it on this list because you can often find it on sale for less. Read our OnePlus 13R review.
Low price, long update commitment
Pros
- 3GB of RAM helps phone multitask
- Blue color option
- Includes fingerprint sensor
Cons
- Very little onboard storage
- Some noticeable lag
- Indoor photos are challenging
Samsung’s Galaxy A03S at $160 (£126, roughly AU$244) includes great features and could be a fit for someone in need of a cheap phone that can handle essential tasks. The phone’s 6.5-inch screen, capped at 720p resolution, is great for reading the news, watching videos and playing games. Despite some performance lag during our review, the phone is good at multitasking. The tiny 32GB of storage space could fill up fast, so if you’re considering this phone, you might want to expand the storage with a microSD card.
Samsung also plans to support this phone with at least four years of security updates, which in this price range is as good as it gets. On the software side, it’s less clear how many Android versions are scheduled, but the phone initially ships with Android 11.
Best cheap phone design
Pros
- Vegan leather design
- NFC for contactless payments
- Decent cameras for the price
Cons
- Slow performance
- Dull-looking screen
- Only one software update planned
Motorola’s $200 Moto G 5G for 2024 arrived with a splash. The phone kept many highlights of the 2023 model like a 120Hz refresh rate screen and dual speakers while also getting a $50 price drop. The Moto G 5G also has an improved design and functionality with a new vegan leather look and NFC for contactless payments. And its cameras can take photos with decent color accuracy, despite soft details.
But performance and a short software update timeline both hurt the Moto G 5G. While the phone is capable of running all sorts of apps and games, multitasking on its small 4GB of RAM is challenging. Also Motorola has not budged from its policy of providing one major software update and three years of security updates to the Moto G line, which limits the number of years you can safely use the phone before needing to replace it.
Best Android phone on sale
Pros
- Excellent camera for the price
- Attractive design
- Wireless charging, face unlock and high refresh rate
Cons
- Screen is dim outdoors
- Only three generations of Android OS updates
Editor’s note: Google released the Pixel 8A, also $500. You can read our Pixel 8A review here. If you’re buying a Pixel 7A make sure it’s on sale.
Google’s budget phone took a leap forward in 2023 with the Pixel 7A, which offers many of the same benefits as the Pixel 7 but at a cheaper price. Like the Pixel 7, the Pixel 7A runs on Google’s Tensor G2 processor, meaning it has many of the same photo editing and language translation features as its pricier sibling. The Pixel 7A’s 64-megapixel camera also takes excellent photos that rival the Pixel 7’s in quality.
While we still like the Pixel 7, the Pixel 7A’s lower price makes it a better deal for most people. Otherwise, the main differences between the Pixel 7 and 7A come down to the former’s more durable build, slightly faster charging and its ability to wirelessly charge compatible accessories. The Pixel 7 also has a larger camera sensor that’s more sensitive to light, according to Google, but CNET’s Lisa Eadicicco didn’t notice much of a difference.
Best ultra cheap T-Mobile phone
Pros
- Great screen for $160
- NFC support for Google Pay
- Decent multitasking for the price
Cons
- T-Mobile exclusivity
- Battery drains fast
- Weak cameras
The TCL 50 XL 5G includes an impressive amount of specs for $160. This is one of the cheapest phones I’ve seen so far that includes a 120Hz refresh rate display and NFC for Google Pay and contactless payments. It also includes 6GB of memory, which made the phone breeze through multitasking during my testing. But the TCL 50 XL 5G does show compromises from its low price in other ways.
Even though it has a big 5,010-mAh battery, it drains quickly — possibly because it’s powering a large 6.78-inch 1080p display with a low-end processor. Cameras struggle to take photos with clean, crisp details, in both well-lit and lowlight situations. It’s carrier-locked to T-Mobile as well, making it only useful when running on the magenta carrier or its Metro prepaid brand. And it’s also only set for one software update and three years of security updates, which matches what Motorola provides but is still low compared to Samsung. But if you’re on T-Mobile, the TCL 50 XL 5G is a serious value for its $160, and helps excuse some of its faults. But you should still be aware of them.
Best ultracheap phone for long-term use
Pros
- Excellent software and security support
- 25-watt wired charging
- Eye-catching Light Blue color option
Cons
- Slow performance
- Single audio speaker
- Mediocre photography
Editor’s Note: Samsung has also released the Galaxy A16.
Samsung’s $200 Galaxy A15 5G is an easy choice for someone looking to buy a phone that will last for years. Samsung provides it with four years of software updates and five years of security support, which in this price range is unparalleled. Plus the phone supports 25W wired charging that in my testing was able to charge half of its big 5,000-mAh battery from empty in 30 minutes. I also like the eye-catching light blue option.
A $200 phone has to have some compromises. The Galaxy A15 5G feels sluggish compared to competing phones like Motorola’s $200 Moto G 5G, and as an entertainment machine falls short with its single audio speaker that is blocked by accident when you hold the phone sideways for games and video. Photography, which is typically a weak point on phones in this price range, is similarly mixed with decent photography in outdoor environments while struggling to photograph lowlight spaces. Read our full Samsung Galaxy A15 5G review.
Pixel 9A specs vs. Moto G Power 5G, iPhone 14, OnePlus 13R, Galaxy A03S, Moto G 5G, Pixel 7A, TCL 50 XL 5G, Galaxy A15 5G
Google Pixel 9A | Moto G Power 5G (2024) | Apple iPhone 14 | OnePlus 13R | Samsung Galaxy A03S | Moto G 5G (2024) | Google Pixel 7A | TCL 50 XL 5G | Samsung Galaxy A15 5G | |
Display size, tech, resolution, refresh rate | 6.3-inch OLED; 2,424×1,080 pixels; 60-120 Hz variable refresh rate | 6.7-inch LCD; 2,400 x 1,080 pixels; 60-120Hz refresh rate | 6.1-inch OLED; 2,532×1,170 pixels; 60Hz refresh rate | 6.78-inch AMOLED; 2,780×1,264 pixels; 1-120Hz adaptive refresh rate | 6.5-inch LCD; 720×1,600 pixels; 60Hz refresh rate | 6.6-inch LCD; 1,612 x 720 pixels, 120Hz refresh rate | 6.1-inch OLED; 2,400×1,080 pixels; 60 -90Hz variable refresh rate | 6.78-inch; 2,460 x 1,080 pixels; 120Hz refresh rate | 6.5-inch AMOLED; 2,340 x 1,080 pixels; 90Hz refresh rate |
Pixel density | 422 ppi | 391 ppi | 460 ppi | 450 ppi | 269 ppi | 269 ppi | 361 ppi | 396 ppi | 420 ppi |
Dimensions (inches) | 6.1 x 2.9 x 0.4 in. | 6.6 x 3 x 0.3 in. | 5.78 x 2.82 x 0.31 in. | 6.36 x 2.98 x 0.32 in. | 6.5 x 2.9 x 0.3 in. | 6.5 x 3 x 0.3 in. | 6.00 x 2.87 x 0.35 in. | 6.6 x 2.9 x 0.32 in. | 6.3 x 3.02 x 0.33 in. |
Dimensions (millimeters) | 154.7 x 73.3 x 8.9 mm | 167.2 x 76.4 x 8.5mm | 147 x 72 x 7.8 mm | 161.72 x 75.77 x 8.02 mm | 165.8 x 75.9 x 9.1 mm | 164.4 x 75 x 8.2 mm | 73 x 152 x 9.0 mm | 167.6 x 73.6 x 8.1mm | 160 x 76.7 x 8.4 mm |
Weight (grams, ounces) | 186 g (6.6 oz) | 201g (7.09 oz.) | 172 g (6.07 oz) | 206g (7.26 oz.) | 7.13 oz; 202g | 194g (6.84 oz.) | 193g (6.81 oz) | 195g (6.9 oz) | 201g (7.09 oz.) |
Mobile software | Android 15 | Android 14 | iOS 16 | Android 15 | Android 11 | Android 14 | Android 13 | Android 14 | Android 14 |
Camera | 48-megapixel (wide), 13-megapixel (ultrawide) | 50-megapixel (wide), 8-megapixel (ultrawide) | 12-megapixel (wide), 12-megapixel (ultrawide) | 50 megapixel (wide), 8 megapixel (ultrawide), 50 megapixel (2x telephoto) | 13-megapixel (wide), 2-megapixel (depth), 2-megapixel (macro) | 50-megapixel (wide), 2-megapixel (macro) | 64-megapixel (wide), 13-megapixel (ultrawide) | 50-megapixel (wide), 5-megapixel (ultrawide), 2-megapixel (depth) | 50-megapixel (wide), 5-megapixel (ultrawide), 2-megapixel (macro) |
Front-facing camera | 13-megapixel | 16-megapixel | 12-megapixel | 16 megapixel | 5-megapixel | 8-megapixel | 13-megapixel | 8-megapixel | 13-megapixel |
Video capture | 4K | 1,080p | 4K | 4K | FHD | 1,080p | 4K | 1,080p | 1,080p |
Processor | Google Tensor G4 | Mediatek Dimensity 7020 | Apple A15 Bionic | Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 | MediaTek MT6765 Helio P35 | Qualcomm Snapdragon 4 Gen 1 | Google Tensor G2 | MediaTek Dimensity 6100 Plus | Mediatek Dimensity 6100 Plus |
RAM + storage | 8GB + 128GB, 256GB | 8GB RAM + 128GB | RAM NA; 128GB, 256GB, 512GB | 12GB + 256GB | 3GB + 32GB | 4GB RAM + 128GB | 8GB + 128GB | 6GB RAM + 128GB | 4GB RAM + 128GB |
Expandable storage | None | Up to 1TB | None | None | Up to 1TB | microSD | None | Yes | Yes |
Battery | 5,100 mAh | 5,000 mAh | Undisclosed; Apple claims 20 hours of video playback | 6,000 mAh | 5,000mAh | 5,000 mAh | 4,385 mAh | 5,010 mAh | 5,000 mAh |
Fingerprint sensor | Under display | Side | None (Face ID) | Under display | Side | side | Side | Side | Side |
Connector | USB-C | USB-C | Lightning | USB-C | USB-C | USB-C | USB-C | USB-C | USB-C |
Headphone jack | None | Yes | None | None | Yes | Yes | None | Yes | Yes |
Special features | 7 years of OS, security and Pixel feature drops; Gorilla Glass 3 cover glass; IP68 dust and water resistance; 2,700-nit peak brightness; 1,000,000:1 contrast ratio; 23W fast charging (charger not included); 7.5W wireless charging Qi certified; Wi-Fi 6E; NFC; Bluetooth 5.3; dual-SIM (nano SIM + eSIM); Add Me; Best Take; Magic Eraser; Magic Editor; Photo Unblur; Super Res Zoom; Circle To Search | 30W wired charging, 15W wireless charging, Dolby Atmos, NFC (Google Pay), water repellent, gesture controls, Moto Secure, RAM Boost, Moto Gestures, 1 major Android update | 5G (mmw/Sub6); MagSafe; water resistant (IP68); wireless charging; eSIM; satellite connectivity | 55W SuperVOOC wired charging with included power adapter, alert slider, Bluetooth 5.4, NFC, IP65 certified, Corning Gorilla Glass 7i, Aqua Touch 2.0, 4 years of software updates, 6 years of security updates, LTPO 4.1 display | Charger not included, supports wireless charging | 18W wired charging, Dolby Atmos, NFC, water repellent, gesture controls, Moto Secure, RAM Boost | 5G (5G sub6 / mmWave), IP67 rating, 18W fast charging, 7.5W wireless charging | NFC, 5G connectivity, TCL NxtVision, 18W wired charging | 25W wired charging, 800-nit brightness |
US starting price | $499 (128GB) | $300 (128GB) | $599 (128GB) | $600 (12GB + 256GB) | $160 | $200 (128GB) | $499, $549 (mmW) | $160 (128GB) | $200 (128GB) |
Recent updates
In January 2025, we added the OnePlus 13R to our list. The new phones replace last year’s OnePlus 12R and is a decent midrange Android phone that is best bought when on sale.
Factors to consider when buying a cheap phone
Try it before you buy it: It’s one thing to ogle over a phone, but it’s another to actually try it out in a store.
Decide on Android or iPhone: Do you have a lot of iPhone apps and Apple subscriptions? Stick with an iPhone. Likewise, if you’ve invested in loads of Android apps, you’ll want to stay on that side of the fence. Otherwise, it’s simple enough to switch platforms.
Pick the most important feature: Is it screen size? Camera quality? Battery life? This will help narrow down your choices.
How we test phones
Every phone on this list has been thoroughly tested by CNET’s expert reviews team. We use the phone, test the features, play games and take photos. We assess any marketing promises that a company makes about its phones. If we find something we don’t like — be it battery life or build quality — we tell you about it.
We examine every aspect of a phone during testing:
- Display
- Design and feel
- Processor performance
- Battery life
- Camera quality
- Features
We test all the phone’s cameras (both front and back) in a variety of conditions: from outdoors under sunlight to dimmer indoor locales and nighttime scenes (for any available night modes). We also compare our findings against similarly priced models. We have a series of real-world battery tests to see how long a phone lasts under everyday use.
We account for additional phone features like 5G, fingerprint and face readers, styluses, fast charging, foldable displays and other useful extras. We weigh all our experiences and testing against the price so you know whether a phone represents good value.
Read more: How We Test Phones
Other phones to consider
At $700, the iPhone 15 isn’t necessarily considered cheap. Compared to the iPhone 16 and 16 Pro, it’s much more affordable. In 2025, the iPhone 15 is still one of the best Apple phones you can buy. It has a 6.1-inch screen, great dual-rear cameras and an outstanding battery life. It’s worth a look if you can work it into your budget.
Best cheap phones FAQs
What to look forward to in 2025?
We are in the middle of «budget phone season» with new affordable phones being released by Google, Motorola and Samsung. We look forward to testing them all once we can get our hands on them. Otherwise, later this summer we’ll see the start of «flagship phone season» with major releases from Apple and Google.
Technologies
When to Expect Your T-Mobile Data Breach Settlement Check
The personal data of 76 million US customers was exposed during a cyberattack in 2021. The settlement payout is coming this month.

It’s been years since T-Mobile customers filed for a part of the wireless carrier’s 2022 class-action settlement. But this month, those who qualify should start receiving their payouts.
On April 8, a representative for the settlement did not immediately respond to a request for comment about whether any payments have been issued.
The settlement is the result of a class-action lawsuit filed against T-Mobile after a 2021 cyberattack exposed the personal data — names, addresses and Social Security numbers — of 76 million US customers. In 2022, T-Mobile agreed to a $350 million settlement to resolve claims that its negligence led to the data breach. It remains the second-largest data breach settlement in US history, following Equifax’s $700 million settlement in 2019.
How much will you get?
If your data was exposed but you haven’t already filed, it’s too late to get in on the settlement. It’s all over except for the distribution of the checks. T-Mobile agreed to pay $350 million into a settlement fund that will be used to make cash payments for out-of-pocket losses and lost time, make cash payments, provide identity-defense services, provide restoration services, make payments to notify class members and administer the settlement, pay the class representatives who brought the suit, and pay attorney fees and costs.
According to The Hill, payments might be smaller than $25 for some, as priority will go to those who can prove they suffered out-of-pocket losses. Those who lived in California at the time of the data breach are eligible for $100. And those who spent money at the time to recover or avoid identity theft or fraud — like freezing their credit, spending money on credit monitoring services, incurring losses or were told to document their losses — are eligible for up to $25,000, according to The Hill.
Those who made a valid claim for identity-defense services will be sent information on how to activate those services. Monetary payments will be made in the manner each customer selected at the time they filed, which could mean a paper check will be mailed, or a digital deposit will be made. You can read the full documents for the lawsuit online.
Technologies
Will the iPhone Really Cost More Than $3K After Trump’s Tariffs Start Tomorrow?
The White House says a 104% tariff on China will start Wednesday. But experts advise against panic-buying if it puts you in debt.

Amid an escalating trade war between President Trump and China, expect to pay more for your next iPhone or Apple product — a lot more, experts say.
«Trump is playing hardball with China, which is unsettling on many levels,» Patti Brennan, certified financial planner and CEO of Key Financial, said in an email. «As for Apple, expect the prices to double for their products.»
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Trump announced yesterday an additional 50% tariff on goods imported from China, which would raise the total tariff rate on that country to 104%. The tariffs will go into effect starting Wednesday, White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said in a briefing today.
In addition to imposing tariffs on goods from nearly 200 countries, Trump announced last week that he was adding a 34% tariff to goods from China, where Apple produces most of its products. Trump has already increased tariff rates on China by 20% since February.
If the price of Apple’s top-of-the-line iPhone 16 Pro Max went up 104%, it could increase from $1,599 to more than $3,200.
But it’s unclear exactly how much of an impact the tariffs will actually have on prices. If rising prices cause demand to plummet, experts noted that Apple and other producers could reduce their prices to stay competitive.
Others say Apple could absorb more costs early on to stay competitive with the rest of the tech market.
«The tariffs could increase Apple product prices by about 10% in the coming months, which could lead to price increases of $50 to $150 on higher-end products like the iPhone Pro Max models and MacBook Pros,» Stephan Shipe, a certified financial planner and CEO of Scholar Financial Advising, said in an email last week.
Best Buy and Target warned consumers last month to expect higher prices for everything, after the latest round of tariffs went into effect. February’s tariff hike had already prompted Acer to announce that it was raising prices on its laptops.
If you’re in the market for a new Apple device or an imported gaming system, like the Nintendo Switch 2 or PlayStation 5 Pro, here’s how tariffs could raise prices, and what you should do to prepare.
Read more: Apple Shoppers Are Reportedly Panic Buying iPhones Amid Looming Tariffs
What’s going on with tariffs?
Trump announced a 10% baseline tariff on all imports plus «reciprocal tariffs» on imports from more than 180 countries April 2, which he dubbed «Liberation Day.» He’s long touted tariffs as a way to even the trade deficit and raise revenue to offset tax cuts, although many economists say that tariffs could lead to higher prices and may end up hurting the US economy. Stock prices plummeted afterTrump’s announcement as markets reacted poorly to the sweeping tariffs.
Trump has taken an especially hard stance on China, which was already subject to tariffs that Trump ordered during his first term in office. The latest round of tariffs means prices for these goods could rise even higher. China has responded to each round of tariffs with its own set of tariffs on US products, including coal, crude oil and farm products such as chicken, beef, soybeans, wheat and pork.
Tariffs, in theory, are designed to financially impact other countries because their goods are being taxed. Tariffs are paid by the US company importing the product, and this upcharge is usually — but not always — passed on to the consumer in the form of higher prices.
How much could iPhone and MacBook prices increase?
Tariffs levied on products from China — and everywhere else — will likely translate into higher prices for consumers. That means the tech you use every day, like imported smartphones, tablets, laptops, TVs and kitchen appliances, could get even more expensive this year.
If the full cost of tariffs is passed on to shoppers, we’d see a 104% increase in prices on Apple products produced in China. Apple has moved some of its production to other countries, including India, Malaysia and Vietnam. But they were each hit with their own tariffs last week — Vietnam saw a 46% tariff hike. Apple also sources components for its products from a long list of countries, all now facing new tariffs.
If Apple did raise its prices in direct proportion to this year’s proposed Chinese tariff hikes, the basic iPhone 16e, which starts at $599, could jump up to $1,222. You can get a 15-inch MacBook Air starting at $1,199 on Amazon; a 104% hike would raise the base price to $2,446
However, a tariff on goods doesn’t necessarily mean prices will go up by the same amount. If companies want to stay competitive, they could absorb some of the costs to keep their prices lower.
Apple announced a $100 price cut on its new MacBook Air last month, a day after the last round of tariffs took effect. In what was widely viewed as an attempt to persuade Trump to «carve out» an exemption from the latest tariffs, Apple announced in February that it would spend more than $500 billion in the next four years to expand manufacturing operations in the US.
«They already committed $500 billion to US manufacturing, and there was no carve out for Apple,» Brennan said. «They will have to pass along most of these costs to consumers.»
Read more: Higher Tariffs Could Make Going Solar More Expensive
Should you buy tech now to avoid tariffs later?
If you were planning on buying a new iPhone, gaming console, MacBook or other tech, buying it now could save you money.
But if you don’t have the cash on hand and plan to use a credit card or buy now, pay later plan just to avoid tariffs, experts say to make sure you have the money to cover the costs before you start accruing interest. With credit cards’ average interest rates currently more than 20%, the cost of financing a big purchase could quickly wipe out any savings you’d get by buying before prices go up because of tariffs.
«If you finance this expense on a credit card and can’t pay it off in full in one to two months, you’ll likely end up paying way more than a tariff would cost you,» said Alaina Fingal, an accountant, founder of The Organized Money and a CNET Money Expert Review Board member. «I would recommend that you pause on any big purchases until the economy is more stable.»
One way to save on Apple products, even if prices go up, is to buy last year’s model instead of the newest release.
«If you aren’t planning to upgrade in the next year, there is no need to rush out to buy a new smartphone,» Shawn DuBravac, chief economist at IPC, a manufacturing trade association, said in an email. «Technology is naturally deflationary, meaning that over time performance goes up and prices generally go down for products of similar quality.»
Technologies
Razer Laptop Sales Halted in US Due to Tariffs, Report Says
Laptops from the popular gaming brand are listed as out of stock on their website.

The Trump administration’s tariffs have gone into effect, and companies and shoppers have been scrambling to figure out how to react. On Tuesday, it appeared that tech company Razer had pulled its Razer Blade laptops and the newly released Razer Adjustable Laptop Stand from its website.
A representative for Razer did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
Per The Verge, the products were all available for purchase as of April 1, according to The Internet Archive.
As of Tuesday, the 14-inch, 16-inch and 18-inch Razer laptops and the laptop stand are all listed as out of stock, with a Notify Me button in lieu of a purchase button. But other laptop accessories are still available, including the brand’s selection of gaming mice and keyboards.
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