I’ll be explaining why you should not rush to buy new technology. This is often difficult for people; many of us know friends or family who feel they must buy the latest phone every year, spending over $2,000 CAD.
All dollar figures discussed here are in Canadian Dollars (CAD). The current exchange rate is roughly $1 CAD to $0.70 USD.
Cheaper Prices
The best reason to wait to purchase new tech is to save money, which is critical in the current global financial climate. For example, the laptop I use for video editing and recording on my commute has an RTX 4060 graphics card. When new, it was over $2,000 CAD (around $1,700–$1,800 USD). It’s a Lenovo Legion 5i 16-inch gaming laptop. By waiting several months, I bought it for $1,500 CAD. I found the same model priced at $1,500 USD in the United States, but due to the weaker Canadian dollar, it was cheaper for me here.
Another example is the Pixel 8 Pro, which I bought directly from Google for $500 less than its original price. I got it almost a year later when the Pixel 9 series was out, but it was still brand new. I specifically bought it to load GrapheneOS, a privacy-based operating system built on the Android framework.
Diminishing Returns
The most overlooked reason to wait is diminishing returns. For instance, the increase in picture clarity from CRT to DVD, and then from DVD to HD, was dramatic. However, the jump from 720p HD to 1080p Full HD was much less significant in a shorter time-frame. While the picture is technically better due to pixel density, the difference is not huge. The same is true for phones.
It is absurd that some people replace their top-of-the-line phones—like the newest iPhone Pro Max or premium Samsung Galaxy—every year, spending over $2,000 CAD each time. There is no major difference between the models. I often ask these individuals why they buy a new, top-tier phone annually, and they can never give a solid answer. They just stare blankly as if they’re wondering why they bought it themselves. As a tech and cyber security professional, I am genuinely curious why people feel this constant need to upgrade.
This situation is similar to the minimal difference between the PS5 and the PS5 Pro—the latter is priced much higher, but side-by-side comparisons show negligible improvement.
More Reviews
Another advantage of waiting is better reviews. When new technology launches, many major tech YouTubers sign non-disclosure agreements (NDAs). They receive the product early and review it, but many of these channels with millions of followers do a poor job. I used to review headphones, and I saw many reviewers butcher what should have been said. They often have a following so loyal that people buy immediately, simply based on the endorsement.
These large channels often act as marketing mouthpieces. They are frequently paid by companies like Apple or LG, or they agree to keep reviews “light” in exchange for exclusive access to executive interviews. For instance, I used to critique Sony headphones, praising them when deserved but also tearing apart terrible products (like one I rated 5/10). Consequently, Sony would never approach me for a collaboration.
You want to wait for more reviews, including those from general consumers on retailer sites like Best Buy or Costco. While not professional, these opinions come from regular purchasers like you. You should also seek out opinions from more diligent tech news websites. Reviewers like Gamers Nexus and JayzTwoCents, for PC hardware, do a phenomenal job and will criticize any manufacturer ripping off consumers. You need to wait for these reviews, which means letting the product sit on the shelf for a few days or weeks. Be patient.
FOMO
This brings us to FOMO, or the Fear Of Missing Out. Do not blindly follow the big, biased tech YouTubers who often use staff-written scripts, simply filming themselves reading. They are not your friends. They create videos for money. I, too, make these consumer advice videos as both a hobby and to generate income, but I believe in providing honest advice.
Another factor is the natural human tendency toward jealousy and envy. Since ancient times, people have compared themselves to others. Even now people will compare themselves to others on who has a “better” car or a “bigger” house. This unhealthy mindset is worsened by social media, where people constantly post about exotic vacations and possessions.
The Environment
Next, and very important to me, is the environment. Sadly, many people overlook this. E–waste is out of control; we are building too much technology. While I use smart lighting, I won’t dispose of it until it dies. But when multi-trillion dollar companies like Microsoft announce they will stop supporting Windows 10 next year, many users, unaware of workarounds (like the ones I cover in this article), will simply throw away their computers. People who aren’t personally affected by the poisonous fumes and chemicals of e-waste often dismiss the issue, but people and environments worldwide suffer because of it. Just because you can’t see the impact doesn’t mean it doesn’t exist. Don’t rush to replace your tech. Consider following advocates like Louis Rossman, who focuses on increasing the longevity of all products. You can install Linux, for instance; I primarily use it on the Lenovo gaming laptop I bought last year.
Bugs
Consider bug fixes and stability. New iPhones and their iOS versions are often released with many bugs and issues that Apple then has to patch. This is common across all developers. Video games are the most notorious, especially on PC, but it happens on consoles too. You rush to buy an expensive new game, only for it to be riddled with bugs. It ruins the experience and the excitement.
Lack of Content
Another issue is content availability. This depends on the specific technology, but consider TVs. Does anyone remember 8K TVs?
8K TVs, for example, quickly became obsolete. I previously explained that 8K TVs are practically useless, not because the technology is bad, but because the pixel-per-inch density makes the difference from 4K imperceptible to the human eye. I even showed that a 4K OLED TV was superior to a Samsung 8K QLED. I was proven right; 8K was a fad that failed because it wasn’t justified, and there was no 8K content.
1st Gen Issues and Repair
Finally, I’ll combine two points:
- First-generation products are unstable. The first iteration of a hardware product is rarely great; the second or third generation is usually much better.
- Repairability. If you are on a tight budget and want your expensive purchase to last, repairability is key. Resources like iFixit disassemble products like phones and laptops and provide a repairability score, showing how easy or difficult it is to fix them yourself.
I hope this information was useful.
