If your current phone still works and you care most about value or confidence, wait for independent reviews and compare the launch offer with later discounts and older models. Buy at launch when you need a replacement now, want a particular new model or configuration, or have checked that a preorder deal is worth more to you than the information and options you gain by waiting. In either case, compare the full cost and remaining software support—not just the headline discount.
Launch or wait: which suits your situation?
| Consideration | Buy at launch or preorder | Wait for reviews or discounts |
|---|---|---|
| Availability | Get earlier access and potentially secure a popular model, color, or storage option. | A sought-after configuration may sell out or ship later. |
| Evidence | There may be less independent real-world or long-term testing available before you order. | Reviewers and early users have more time to assess everyday performance and spot possible issues. |
| Price and incentives | The offer may include an enhanced trade-in value, a bonus, or another limited promotion. | Later discounts may appear, but their amount and timing are uncertain. Launch promotions can also be stronger. |
| Offer complexity | Trade-in rules, eligible plans, financing, and bill credits can limit the value of an apparent deal. | You have more time to compare retailers, carriers, and alternatives, but still need to check the full terms. |
| Best fit | You need a phone now, strongly prefer the newest model, want a scarce configuration, or have verified a genuinely favorable offer. | Your current phone works, you are price-sensitive or unsure about the upgrade, or you want to compare competitors and older models. |
There is no dependable universal waiting period or best month to buy. Which? says popular Android phones can fall in price within a few months, but that is an opportunity to watch for—not a promise for every phone, brand, or country. Seasonal sales and carrier promotions are likewise possibilities, not guaranteed discounts.
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What waiting for reviews can tell you
Announcements and spec sheets do not fully answer how a phone performs in everyday use. Reviews can help you judge battery life, camera performance, reliability, and whether the improvements matter compared with your current device or another model. Early buyers and reviewers may also reveal concerns that were not apparent at launch.
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Reviews reduce uncertainty; they cannot guarantee that a device will be trouble-free. The value of waiting depends on whether the questions reviewers address are important to you. A 2025 Android Authority poll of 1,048 of its readers found that 74% said they wait for reviews, 17% buy shortly after launch, and 9% said contract timing determines it. That is a publication reader poll, not a representative survey of all phone buyers.
#1 Best Overall
- YOUR CONTENT, SUPER SMOOTH: The ultra-clear 6.7" FHD+ Super AMOLED display of Galaxy A17 5G helps bring your content to life, whether you're scrolling through recipes or video chatting with loved ones.¹
- LIVE FAST. CHARGE FASTER: Focus more on the moment and less on your battery percentage with Galaxy A17 5G. Super Fast Charging powers up your battery so you can get back to life sooner.²
- MEMORIES MADE PICTURE PERFECT: Capture every angle in stunning clarity, from wide family photos to close-ups of friends, with the triple-lens camera on Galaxy A17 5G.
- NEED MORE STORAGE? WE HAVE YOU COVERED: With an improved 2TB of expandable storage, Galaxy A17 5G makes it easy to keep cherished photos, videos and important files readily accessible whenever you need them.³
- BUILT TO LAST: With an improved IP54 rating, Galaxy A17 5G is even more durable than before.⁴ It’s built to resist splashes and dust and comes with a stronger yet slimmer Gorilla Glass Victus front and Glass Fiber Reinforced Polymer back.
How to judge a launch offer or later discount
Compare what you will actually pay over the full term, rather than treating a trade-in estimate, gift, or monthly credit as an unconditional reduction. Which? warns that contracts, add-ons, and bundles can obscure costs; Kiplinger also recommends checking the full price and trade-in terms.
- Phone and service cost: Add the device price, any required plan change, fees, and required add-ons for the entire contract or financing term.
- Trade-in conditions: Check the eligible device, required condition, return deadline, and whether the quoted value depends on a particular plan.
- Credit timing: Find out whether the credit is immediate or spread across monthly bills, and what happens if you leave or change plans before it ends.
- Bundle usefulness: Ask whether you would still choose the offer if you removed the included gift, credit, or subscription. A bundle has little practical value if you would not otherwise use it.
- Outright versus contract: Compare a separately purchased phone with a SIM-only plan against the actual carrier offer. Which? author Adam Speight says, “In almost all cases, I would buy a phone outright with a separate Sim-only deal to save money”; treat that as his advice, not a guarantee that it beats your particular offer.
A preorder can be worthwhile when its real, usable incentive outweighs the benefit of waiting. Do not count the advertised maximum trade-in or a long-running bill credit as cash in hand unless the terms support that comparison.
Rank #2
- Blazing-fast Qualcomm performance. Get the speed you need for great entertainment with a Snapdragon 680 processor and 4GB**** of RAM.
- Fluid display + immersive stereo sound. Bring your entertainment to life with an ultrawide 6.5" 90Hz* HD+ display plus stereo speakers, Dolby Atmos, and Hi-Res Audio**.
- 50MP*** Quad Pixel camera. Capture sharper, more vibrant photos day or night with 4x the light sensitivity.
- 64GB**** built-in storage. Get plenty of room for photos, movies, songs, and apps—and add up to 1TB more with a microSD card*****.
- Unbelievable battery life. Work and play nonstop with a long-lasting 5000mAh battery.*****
Check older phones and repair before replacing
Previous-generation or refurbished models
An older model may meet your needs for less, but check its exact remaining security-update support, condition, and seller terms before buying. Which? suggests looking for at least two years of support remaining; that is its guidance, not a legal or technical standard. Consumer Reports’ 2026 buying guide gives broad price context—premium phones can cost $1,000 or more, while lower-cost phones under $600 can also perform well—but those figures are not a current quote for a particular handset or market.
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Repairing your current phone
If your phone otherwise meets your needs, compare the cost of fixing its battery, charging port, or screen with the full cost of replacement. A repair may address the specific problem without committing you to a new device, but it is only a useful alternative if the phone still has the features and support you need.
Rank #3
- Please note, this device does not support E-SIM; This 4G model is compatible with all GSM networks worldwide outside of the U.S. In the US, ONLY compatible with T-Mobile and their MVNO's (Metro and Standup). It will NOT work with other CDMA carriers, and it is also not compatible with their MVNO (Visible, Xfinity Mobile, US Mobile, Cricket Wireless, etc).
- Compatibility with certain third-party devices and accessibility accessories, including some hearing aids, may vary depending on manufacturer support, Bluetooth protocols, software compatibility, and regional firmware limitations. For additional hearing aid compatibility information, please refer to Samsung’s official support documentation.
- Camera: 50 MP, f/1.8, (wide), 1/2.76", 0.64µm, AF | 50 MP, f/1.8, (wide), 1/2.76", 0.64µm, AF | 2 MP, f/2.4, (macro). Battery: 5000 mAh, non-removable | A power adapter is NOT included.
A checklist for making the decision
- Is your current phone broken or failing at an essential task, or do you mainly want the newest release?
- What will the offer cost over the full contract or financing term, including plan changes, fees, and required add-ons?
- Is the trade-in credit paid upfront or across monthly bills, and what condition, deadline, and plan rules apply?
- Would you still choose the phone if the bundled gift or subscription were removed?
- Do independent reviews answer your key questions about battery life, camera performance, reliability, and the differences from your current phone?
- Could a previous-generation or refurbished phone meet the need for less? Verify its support life and condition.
- Would repairing your current phone solve the actual problem for less?
Which? reports that its team tests 65 smartphones a year and conducts more than 40 rigorous tests; that describes Which?’s testing activity, not an industry-wide testing rate. Offers and availability vary by model, country, retailer, carrier, stock, and contract, so verify the terms for the specific phone and region before ordering.
Quick Recap
Best Value
- GSM Unlocked: Enjoy seamless connectivity with your preferred GSM carrier. Compatible with T-Mobile, Metro PCS, AT&T, Cricket, Mint Mobile and other GSM networks. SIM card not included. For network compatibility, please check with your carrier. Note: Not compatible with CDMA networks like Verizon (Visible, Spectrum Mobile, US Mobile, Total Wireless, Straight Talk Wireless)
- Boundless Views: Enjoy immersive viewing on the spacious 6.5” HD+ display. Whether you're watching videos, browsing, or gaming, every detail comes through with stunning clarity.
- Smooth Performance, All Day: Powered by an efficient octa-core processor, the G35 ensures smooth performance for your everyday tasks. Enjoy faster app launches, seamless multitasking, and reliable speed.
- Snap, Share, Repeat: The G35 features a dual rear camera setup for sharp, detailed shots, and a front-facing camera that’s perfect for selfies and video calls. Capture every moment with ease and clarity.
- Effortless Access: Keep your phone secure with A.I. Face ID technology. Instantly unlock your G35 with just a glance. It's fast, easy, and secure.
Rank #4
- Please note, this device does not support E-SIM; This 4G model is compatible with all GSM networks worldwide outside of the U.S. In the US, ONLY compatible with T-Mobile and their MVNO's (Metro and Standup). It will NOT work with Verizon, Spectrum, AT&T, Total Wireless, other CDMA carriers, it is also not compatible with their MVNO (Visible, Xfinity Mobile, US Mobile, Cricket Wireless, etc).
- Compatibility with certain third-party devices and accessibility accessories, including some hearing aids, may vary depending on manufacturer support, Bluetooth protocols, software compatibility, and regional firmware limitations. For additional hearing aid compatibility information, please refer to Samsung’s official support documentation.
- 4G LTE Bands: B1/B3/B5/B7/B8/B20/B28/B38/B40/B41
- Display: Super AMOLED, 90Hz, 800 nits (HBM) | 6.7 inches, 110.2 cm2 (~86.0% screen-to-body ratio) | 1080 x 2340 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~385 ppi density)
- Camera: 50 MP, f/1.8, (wide), 1/2.76", 0.64µm, AF | 50 MP, f/1.8, (wide), 1/2.76", 0.64µm, AF | 2 MP, f/2.4, (macro)
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
