Mark Your Calendar: The Best Times to Buy New Electronics
Electronics are getting better all the time. Whether it’s the latest TV, smartphone, laptop, or household item, we all need electronic devices in our modern lives.
But when is the best time of the year to buy them?
If you want to take advantage of lower prices, there are specific times of the year when it could make more sense to shop.
Good Times of Year to Find Discounts
In general, there are a few times of the year when you may be able to find more bargains for your electronic goods.
The start of the year is a good option because you can often take advantage of the sales. It’s also the time of year that the Consumer Electronics Show is held in Las Vegas, where the latest digital technology is revealed.
This can mean older products see price drops as they become dated, and the discounts often continue into February.
The run-up to Christmas is also a good time go pick up bargains. Black Friday and Cyber Monday started out as American discount shopping days, but they have quickly caught on in other countries.
This is the perfect time to shop for electronics because there are some serious discounts to be found.
Sometimes new models of the latest gadgets are released in time for Christmas, so if you want to pick up the very latest tech, now is the time.
But while these times of the year are good general times to buy electronics, what about specific items?
If you are in Europe in September, try the IFA Exhibition in Berlin touted as the “world’s leading trade show for consumer electronics and home appliances”. Many products make their world debut at this show, making this a show not to miss.
Best Time to Buy Smartphones
If you want the latest and greatest smartphones, there is no exact time of year for this. The latest iPhone tends to be released in September each year, but the best Android phones are released at other times.
Big events include the CES in January, and the Mobile World Congress (MWC) in Barcelona in February.
The latest handsets are often announced here, but not always. These include handsets with all the best features, including phones like Sony’s dual-SIM smartphones (learn more about these here).
Best Time to Buy Televisions & Laptops
Again, the CES is the time when the latest TV models are released. But during the year, look out for deals before special sporting events like the World Cup or the African Cup of Nations when stores know that many consumers will be looking for a better TV.
TVs get upgraded all the time, and you might want to go for slightly dated technology to get a bargain. For example, a TV that is not a smart TV may be less expensive.
As for laptops, special offers may come around in the lead up to the academic year. But also look out for new technology such as new processors because once these are released, the old technology becomes cheaper.
Look Out for Bargains
Although there are some times of year when electronics are usually less expensive, the best thing to do is constantly keep an eye out for bargains. Sign up to newsletters, follow social media accounts, and keep hunting out bargains. You may find that you can make a serious saving at any time of the year if you keep your eyes open and spot a good deal quickly.
Henry Goddard has experience working in the electronics retail industry. His informative articles offer up some very useful advice to consumer seeking to buy high-end items.