Is there a likely best time to buy Samsung phones?

LAmazake on 17/08/2020 - 19:19

I haven't bought a new phone for years, having been provided with one through my work for my last three or four phones (lucky me!) However, I am now needing to replace an ageing Samsung 'quite soon', though I can manage to wait until I can get a reasonable deal.

I was of course attracted to the imminent release of the Note20, but I really can't justify that kind of money. So I am most likely looking at the mid-priced Galaxy A71. RRP is currently $749 for the 4G. I just missed a special price of $697 with Harvey Norman; and I could get it for $699 by buying direct from Samsung and signing up for emails where they are offering $50 off.

So my question is: does Samsung have a time when they are likely to offer something better than RRP with $50 off? For example, if I hang out as long as Cyber Monday in November, or even Xmas/New Year sales, am I likely to do a lot better? Or might I just as well take the plunge and pay the RRP and have done with it? :)

Anything to be learned from pricing of last year's A70? Does anyone know what price changes that went through at the main retailers? (I am not interested in online-only places where I am likely to end of with a grey import).

Mobile Samsung

Comments

  • [Deactivated] on 17/08/2020 - 19:31
    +1

    Lol, you don’t have to wait to long after release, they tank.

    • Amazake on 17/08/2020 - 19:34

      Hehe, I can expect a price drop sometime in the next weeks, you think? :)

      • [Deactivated] on 17/08/2020 - 20:28
        +1

        Yep retailers will start dropping, 20-30% down within a month or 2.

        • Amazake on 17/08/2020 - 21:57

          Thanks for that!

  • Phlume on 17/08/2020 - 19:40
    +1

    If you can get access to the Samsung EPP you'll get cheaper standard prices. They also occasionally have discounts codes.

    • Amazake on 17/08/2020 - 19:43

      Oh believe me, I have investigated EPP. Not eligible in any shape or form, sadly :(

      • salrock on 17/08/2020 - 19:47

        Ask a frd or colleage .

        • Amazake on 17/08/2020 - 19:52

          How does that work regarding warranty? Legally the phone is in their name, if they order for me? Or am I missing something?

          • specks on 17/08/2020 - 22:54
            +1

            @Amazake: I've had warranty work done on my S7 and S10. Neither times have they asked for proof of purchase but ymmv.
            afaik they wont touch anything that is non-aussie stock

          • 87percent on 18/08/2020 - 08:13
            +1

            @Amazake: They only need proof of purchase, and the receipt can be in anyone’s name

  • Kangal on 18/08/2020 - 00:11
    +5

    Answer: Yes, there is in-fact such as a best time to buy a Samsung!

    An example for the TIMING:
    Samsung unveiled the Note20 Ultra on 5 Aug. Pre-orders started 6 Aug. Embargo for hands-on previews lifted on 7 Aug. Shipping started on 21 Aug. And prominent advertisements started on 24 Aug. Full-reviews become abundant on 31 Aug. The next-gen becomes mainstream after 31 August.
    …so 01 September 2020 would be the most ideal time to BUY your next phone.
    …so 31 July 2020 would be the most ideal time to SELL your previous phone.
    …so for ~1 month, you will need to use a cheap/backup phone.

    With that all said, you mentioned looking at the Note20 Ultra to settling for the Galaxy A70. This shows me that your budget, or at least value, is the top priority for you. I'm on the same thinking.

    And if that's the case, consider:
    - Getting a great condition, but Used handset (unlocked)
    - Choose an S/Note phone, skip the Plus and Ultra variants
    - Buy an ex-flagship phone (these are better than the current-midrange anyway)
    - Time it right so that it coincides with the advertisements/release of the next-gen flagship, and old stock dries up
    - Consider using the "Goldilocks Technique"

    What is the Goldilocks Technique?
    It's an upgrade path I've come up with, that minimises depreciation and maximises value, while still having a fairly new, decent, and relevant device. Here's the details:
    1 - Buy a USED ex-flagship phone that is 1.1 years old
    (eg/ Samsung Note4 released in Oct 2014 for USD $800, buy it for USD $400 in Nov 2015)

    2 - Thanks to the timeframe, you know which specific variant to get and do your research
    (eg/ enjoy the long-time reviews, best accessories, and use a great Custom Rom like EvoX)

    3 - Keep the phone for roughly 1.6 years
    (eg/ stay in the "goldilocks zone" of depreciation, and of software support and hardware)

    4 - Replace the phone with the next model, sell old phone asap
    (eg/ In April 2017, Sell Note4 for $300, buy S7+ for $400)

    5 - Rinse and Repeat the process!
    (eg/ Nov 2018 sell S7+, buy Note8)
    (April 2020 sell Note8, buy S10+)
    (Nov 2021 sell S10+ buy Note20)
    etc etc.

    • Amazake on 18/08/2020 - 00:21

      Wow! That much detail I did NOT expect. So thank you for that full analysis, I will study that pattern carefully and work out a game plan. I have certainly decided not to rush off and order anything right away, seems there are always going to be suitable options if I time it right. So, I really appreciate all that!

  • particle on 23/08/2020 - 22:38

    If you value any of the preorder bonuses with a phone you like, an option is to preorder it using a credit card that has decent price protection, and then claim discounts back as the phone goes on special etc.

    Eg in my case, i think i paid $1700 for my phone on preorder a year ago, and i think I've claimed back $400 so far, so down to $1300 out of pocket so far. It also came with free headphones rrp $500, which i use for hours every day and would pay up to $350 to replace if i lost these. So based on that value to me, i have effectively paid $950 for the phone itself, and can continue claim back further discounts as the phone goes on special again.

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