Get Ready for the Holiday Tech Splurge: US Adults Expected to Spend $931 on Devices, CNET Survey Finds

The vacations are nonetheless months away, however if you would like the most effective offers on a brand new laptop computer or smartphone, you must in all probability begin buying now. Based on a brand new CNET survey, almost half of buyers aren’t ready till Black Friday and Cyber Monday to buy. As an alternative, they’re looking for tech for the vacations months early to beat potential rising costs and shortages.

However is buying early the most effective technique? I spoke with CNET’s resident tech and buying consultants to seek out out.

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Here is what they are saying you have to learn about navigating early gross sales, discovering the most effective offers and avoiding widespread pitfalls, like product shortages and hidden value hikes.

Customers plan to spend a mean of $931 on tech this vacation season

CNET discovered that US buyers plan to spend a mean of $931.18 on tech this vacation season, and some units prime their buying lists. The millennial era expects to spend extra, with a mean of $1,070.57 on tech this vacation season. Gen X plans to spend the least, with $747.02. 

Smartphones and laptops are on the prime of vacation tech want lists 

Smartphones (26%) and laptops (23%) are the highest two tech devices most US adults are shopping for this vacation season. Between new options and widespread releases, CNET consultants shared why smartphones and laptops are wanted this yr and what to know before you purchase. 

Smartphones 

New smartphone fashions, together with the Google Pixel 10 and Apple’s iPhone 17, are launched months earlier than the vacations. Some options, like Apple Intelligence and Gemini Nano, are restricted to newer fashions. David Lumb, CNET’s cellular professional and reporter, says that will persuade you to purchase a brand new telephone for the vacations. 

“It is in all probability the time of yr when customers’ outdated telephones begin to really feel lengthy within the tooth — and with new iPhones usually launched in September, they could be tempted by their further options and capabilities.”

However do not anticipate to see steep reductions on these newly launched fashions in time for the vacations. Lumb says most brand-new telephones launched inside the previous few months will not have nice vacation offers. Generally Samsung does not comply with this pattern, however Apple not often reductions its telephones. You may even see a $100 low cost on final yr’s iPhone when the brand new one is launched. 

When’s the most effective time to purchase? If you happen to’re nonetheless planning to purchase a brand new telephone this yr, November is the most effective time to search for one, particularly throughout Black Friday and Cyber Monday week. Retailers could have the most effective offers then, however do not anticipate massive reductions. Some telephone carriers could provide trade-in presents, however evaluating offers continues to be finest. 

“The easiest way to save cash on brand-new premium telephones is to search for bundles and offers from carriers and third-party retailers like Greatest Purchase or Amazon,” Lumb says. “And be sure you’re taking good care of your outdated telephone to get probably the most trade-in worth, which may prevent a whole bunch of {dollars} off a brand new one whenever you flip in your outdated one.”

There are nonetheless just a few widespread budget-friendly smartphones for those who’re searching for a great deal however do not want the newest and best. 

“Whereas this yr’s new iPhone 16E stretches the concept of ‘funds’ at $600, the $429 iPhone SE launched in 2022 stays probably the most reasonably priced iOS telephone,” Lumb says. “Android followers have much more choices across the identical value vary, just like the $499 Google Pixel 9A or $400 Samsung Galaxy A36, and into true funds territory with the $300 Moto G Energy 5G, $250 TCL 60 XE NxtPaper 5G and $200 Samsung Galaxy A16.” 

Laptops 

Offers can be found on a number of forms of laptops, together with budget-friendly choices and high-performance gaming fashions. Relying in your wants, you may select from loads of laptops, however CNET recommends the M4 MacBook Air or the Microsoft Floor Laptop computer 7. 

Before you purchase a laptop computer this vacation season, Josh Goldman, CNET’s laptop computer professional and managing editor, recommends setting a funds and expectations first. 

“The most effective transfer is to set a funds, attempt to keep on with it and take a look at offers from retailers and direct from the producers,” Goldman says. Most significantly, be sure you’re getting a laptop computer with the options and specs you want now and within the foreseeable future. 

When’s the most effective time to purchase? Goldman says if Amazon follows its typical fall Prime Day sale, you must begin to see good offers on computer systems then. Offers are anticipated to proceed by way of Black Friday and the week of Cyber Monday. You will discover the bottom laptop computer costs throughout Black Friday,  however there are gross sales all year long. 

“Until you are shopping for one as a present or have an pressing want, one other sale is all the time simply across the nook,” Goldman says.

TVs are additionally on vacation buying lists 

One in 5 (20%) buyers is contemplating shopping for TVs this vacation season. Whereas CNET tracks weekly TV offers and lists the most effective TVs of this yr, it is nonetheless a main time to purchase now. 

When’s the most effective time to purchase? David Katzmaier, CNET’s resident TV professional and senior editorial director, says the most effective time to begin looking for one is normally round Black Friday. Offers will proceed by way of the vacation season, main as much as the Tremendous Bowl in February. You should still discover offers through the fall Prime Day or different early gross sales. 

Katzmaier recommends utilizing a value tracker, like Keepa, for historic pricing and to identify a great deal. Keepa is one in all a number of web sites with a browser extension to trace Amazon product costs. Consultants additionally suggest CamelCamelCamel. 

“That approach, when it goes on sale, you understand how deep the low cost actually is and you’ll pounce if it is a whole lot. Ready is normally the most effective technique and when the TV hits an all-time low, go for it,” Katzmaier says. 

Nonetheless, the extra substantial reductions are normally on the costlier TV choices as a result of they value extra, however you may nonetheless discover good presents on different fashions. 

“The most effective offers we discover are sometimes midpriced fashions — neither tremendous funds nor actually high-end — that go on sale throughout Black Friday,” Katzmaier says. “These are additionally the sorts of TVs that do the most effective in our opinions.”

Customers are involved about shopping for tech for the vacations 

Almost 9 in 10 (87%) of buyers are fearful about buying tech this vacation season. 

By the numbers, over half (52%) are fearful about tariffs and rising costs on tech they plan to purchase, whereas 48% fear about discovering high quality tech at an reasonably priced value. Different issues embody buyers having the ability to afford new tech (38%), going into debt or straining their funds to buy units (26%) and availability and shortages (23%). 

The issues are legitimate. Vacation tech buying is probably not easy crusing for some widespread tech units, like video gaming consoles and smartphones. Here is a better look and what CNET consultants are seeing.

Over half of buyers are fearful about rising costs and tariffs 

With over half of buyers fearful about rising costs and tariffs, Russell Holly, CNET’s buying professional and director of commerce, has seen loads of proof that means tariffs on private electronics and residential tech will have an effect on costs throughout gross sales this yr. Nonetheless, you may get forward of some value hikes on private and residential tech necessities.
“Issues like AA batteries, alternative batteries for AirTags and even kitchen requirements like dishwasher tabs will cut back potential value gouging later,” Holly says. 

Goldman says that it is much less about tariffs for a lot of retailers. There are different financial components impacting costs.

“We have seen some small value will increase, however a number of producers we have requested concerning the impression of tariffs have stated the will increase are extra about common inflation and that typically newer tech simply prices extra, which is true,” Goldman says. “Generally you need to wait a few years for the newest and best to turn out to be extra reasonably priced.” 

Almost half are fearful about discovering tech at an reasonably priced value

Bridget Carey, CNET’s shopper tech professional and editor, suggested buying with warning and never shopping for the primary machine you see, particularly for those who’re involved about discovering high quality units at a great value. Extra paid social media influencers and AI-generated search outcomes are skewing prime suggestions, which is probably not the most effective or correct, she says. That is why she recommends taking an additional jiffy to do your analysis to save cash and frustration from a tool you are sad with.

“Earlier than making a big buy, it is extra vital this yr to seek out opinions written by impartial, trusted sources to weed out the junk — or simply that can assist you discover the correct model to your wants,” Carey provides. 

Count on shortages on widespread tech gadgets

Some widespread newly launched gadgets could face shortages this vacation buying season, particularly if there is a whole lot. That is a priority that almost 1 in 4 (23%) have. If there is a must-have merchandise in your record, just like the extremely anticipated iPhone 17 or the Nintendo Swap 2, do not wait to purchase it if it is in inventory and you’ll afford it. That is as a result of ready for decrease costs could imply lacking out on the merchandise altogether. 

For instance, Carey predicts that the Nintendo Swap 2 could also be tighter on provide as December approaches.

“Nintendo of America president Doug Bowser instructed CBS there can be a gentle provide of Swap 2 items coming all year long. However our CNET Swap 2 restock tracker has discovered shops often going out of inventory, so I’d store sooner moderately than later to keep away from disappointment,” Carey says. 

Half of US adults are looking for tech forward of the vacation season

Fascinated by vacation buying earlier than Halloween could sound odd, however Carey recommends planning your buying record now. 

“With the price of tech growing, you may need to be ready to leap on any sale you see in October and early November. Black Friday is not only one weekend anymore — it begins in October.” However you may nonetheless need to preserve a watch out for gross sales after October and take note of return insurance policies simply in case you discover a higher deal. 

CNET discovered that half of tech buyers plan to buy early — September and October — to ease a few of their buying issues. Nonetheless, most buyers (25%) plan to attend till November, and 6% will wait till December.

How US adults are trimming prices on shopper tech and companies

Near 9 in 10 (89%) buyers plan to make use of varied methods. Purchasing on Black Friday is the most well-liked money-saving technique (59%). Different widespread strategies embody comparability buying (37%), buying throughout Fall Prime Day and competing retailer gross sales (34%), buying refurbished or pre-owned tech (23%) and buying earlier (22%).

If you happen to’re evaluating costs, particularly throughout gross sales, Holly advises ensuring you are getting a deal. 

“Instruments like CamelCamelCamel.com will present you the worth historical past of a product, so you recognize whether or not the sale is real and the way tariffs have affected the worth over the course of this yr,” Holly says. “You can even confirm reductions by way of CNET’s Offers web page, the place we actively observe reductions to be sure you’re getting the bottom value.”

So when’s the most effective time to purchase tech and home equipment?

Holly provides that Black Friday gross sales concentrate on leisure and widespread items. It is also a great time to buy TVs, eBikes and gaming equipment. Fall gross sales earlier than Black Friday usually concentrate on residence home equipment, laptops and emergency preparedness. 

“The most effective technique for ensuring you are getting the most effective offers is to prioritize extra sensible life enhancements first and be prepared for leisure purchases nearer to the top of the yr,” stated Holly. 

Methodology 

CNET commissioned YouGov Plc to conduct the survey. All figures, until in any other case acknowledged, are from YouGov Plc. The entire pattern measurement was 2,395 US adults, of whom 1,369 have been occupied with buying shopper tech services or products this winter vacation season. Fieldwork was undertaken Aug. 20-22, 2025. The survey was carried out on-line. The figures have been weighted and are consultant of all US adults (aged 18+).