- Last year's model is often much cheaper while the real world difference is small.
- It is a poor idea when software support is shorter, when a feature you need changed or when only odd configurations remain.
- Compare the two models on the few features you actually use, and on update support and warranty.
- Prices on older models usually fall when a new generation is announced or launched.
Buying last year's model is often the smartest way to get a great product for less. Many products change little from one generation to the next, and when a new version arrives, stores discount the old one to clear stock, sometimes by a quarter or more. For most people, the difference between the two is smaller than the difference in price.
The short answer
It is not always the right call. The older model can have a shorter software support window, a missing feature that you need or an odd configuration left on the shelf. This guide explains why older models get cheaper, when buying one is smart, when it is a trap, how to compare two models fairly and what to look for in each major category.
A good rule is to decide what you will use the product for, then check whether the older model does all of it. If it does, the savings are usually worth taking.
Why older models get cheaper
Product cycles follow a pattern. A maker announces a new model, and retailers want to clear stock of the previous one to make room. Shops mark the old model down, and the discount often deepens as stock runs low. At the same time, shoppers who want the newest version create demand for it, so the new model holds a high price for a while.
The result is a window where the previous model is a strong value. That window is longest for products with yearly releases, such as phones, laptops, TVs and headphones, and shorter for products that update every few years. Prices do not fall by a fixed amount, and the size of the discount depends on how much stock remains and how different the new model is.
When last year's model is a smart buy
- The new model changes very little. When the main differences are a slightly faster chip, a small camera improvement or a new colour, the older model gives you nearly the same experience.
- You will not use the new features. If the headline feature is something you have no use for, you would be paying for it.
- The older model still gets software updates for years. A phone or laptop with a long support window can serve you just as long as the new one.
- The price gap is large. A discount of 20 percent or more on a product with a small upgrade is usually worth taking.
- You want to stay within a budget. An older flagship often beats a new mid range model at the same price.
- A warranty is still offered. Retailers and manufacturers usually sell older stock with the full warranty.
When it is a trap
Shorter software support
A phone or laptop released a year ago has used up a year of its update promise. If the new model gets seven years and the old one has six left, you lose a year, which can matter if you plan to keep it a long time. Check the end date for updates for the exact model.
A feature you need changed
Sometimes the new model adds a port, a chip capability or a connectivity standard that matters to you. A TV may add a feature for gaming consoles, a laptop may add a faster wireless standard and a phone may support a newer mobile network. If one of those affects your use, the older model can be a false saving.
Odd configurations left on shelves
Retailers clear what they cannot sell, and that is often unpopular configurations such as the smallest storage size or an unusual colour. A deal that leaves you with 64GB of storage you do not want is not a deal.
Older stock and a shorter warranty clock
Some old stock has been sitting for months. A warranty usually starts from the purchase date, but check that the product is genuinely new, that the batteries are in good condition and that the seller is reputable.
Lower resale value
An older model loses value faster when you sell it later. If you plan to resell after a couple of years, the new model may hold more of its price.
How to compare two models
A fair comparison looks at the few things that decide your satisfaction, not the whole spec sheet.
| Compare | Why it matters | Where to look |
|---|---|---|
| Price difference | The reason to consider the older model. | Retailers and a price tracker. |
| The features you use | Differences you will never notice do not count. | Reviews that compare the two directly. |
| Update support | Sets how long the product stays safe and useful. | The maker's support page. |
| Battery and efficiency | Improves between generations for some products. | Independent battery tests. |
| Warranty | Protects you if something fails. | The seller's terms. |
| Resale value | Matters if you plan to sell it later. | Used listings for each model. |
Category by category
Phones
Update support and the battery matter most. A model from last year with a long promise and a good battery is usually a better purchase than a cheap new phone. See how long phones last for support windows.
Laptops
Check the chip generation, the memory and whether the memory is upgradeable. The newer chip is often a modest improvement, but memory and storage in the configuration matter more. Read how long a laptop should last, and see the MacBook Air or Pro comparison for an Apple example.
TVs
Panel technology and the year's processor change gradually. Last year's TV often has nearly identical picture quality at a lower price, as long as it has the HDMI features you need. Our OLED vs QLED guide covers the technology question.
Headphones and earbuds
Newer generations often improve noise cancelling and microphones slightly. If microphone quality matters to you, compare the specific models in reviews, because the older one may be weaker for calls.
Cameras
Lens compatibility is the major investment, so the body matters less. An older body can be an excellent buy, but check autofocus and video features if you need them.
Appliances
Energy ratings improve over time, so check the running cost. Older models can cost more to run, which reduces the saving.
When prices on older models fall
Timing varies by category, and the patterns are general. Phones typically launch in the autumn, so older models tend to fall around and after that. TVs are often discounted in spring when new ranges arrive, and again around Black Friday. Laptops tend to drop around back to school and again at the end of the year, and headphones and consoles get regular promotions throughout the year. Our guides to the best time to buy a TV and the best time to buy a laptop cover these in detail, and Black Friday vs Cyber Monday explains the biggest sale window.
Where to find last year's model
Always check the exact model number and the configuration before you buy, since stock changes quickly.
- The manufacturer's own store, which sometimes keeps selling the previous model at a lower price.
- Large retailers clearing stock, especially in the weeks after a launch.
- Manufacturer refurbished stores, which offer older models with a warranty. See refurbished vs new.
- Open box and returned items sold at a discount.
- Comparison sites that show which stores still stock the model.
A worked example
A shopper wants a laptop for work and study. The new model costs 1,300 dollars. Last year's version of the same laptop costs 950 dollars. Reviews say the new one has a slightly faster chip and a marginally better battery, and the screen and keyboard are the same. The older laptop still receives updates for six more years.
The shopper plans to keep the laptop for five years, so the update window is enough. The difference in cost per year over five years is 70 dollars, which buys nothing the shopper will notice. They choose last year's model and use the 350 dollars saved for extra memory. If the new laptop had added a feature they needed, the answer would have been different.
A checklist
- Write what you will use the product for.
- Find the new model and last year's model side by side, and read a comparison.
- List the differences, and cross out the ones you will not use.
- Check how long the older model will be supported with updates.
- Check the warranty, the configuration and the seller.
- Compare prices at several stores, including the manufacturer.
- Decide, and buy within the return window so you can still change your mind.
Let VEYDICT check the timing
When a successor is confirmed, VEYDICT reflects it in the timing part of the score and tells you whether the current model is a smart buy or a WAIT. Paste the exact model you are considering, and you will see the verdict, the price we would call good value and a better alternative if one exists. You can also read how we judge laptops, phones and TVs, and our guide to fake sales explains how to confirm that a discount on an older model is real.
Questions
Is an older model less reliable?
Not usually. The main difference is software support, which can be shorter, so check how many years of updates remain.
How much cheaper is last year's model?
It varies by product and time of year. Discounts of 10 to 30 percent are common once a successor is released, but check the actual prices.
Should I wait for the new model instead?
If you need the product now, buy what fits. If a successor is confirmed and you can wait, the older model often gets cheaper.
Do older models get software updates?
Usually yes, for a period. Check the maker's support page for the exact end date.
Is last year's model good for gaming consoles or PCs?
Often yes, as long as it supports the features you need. Check ports and performance for the games you play.
What is the best time to buy last year's model?
Often in the weeks after a new model launches, and during major sales. The pattern depends on the category.
