I only buy the latest generation technology and it never lets me down

Despite marketing messages and general society telling you that you need the latest technology, I have always bought the latest generation technology and been fine. Most technology doesn’t change much from year to year and buying the latest generation technology is less risky – but there are many more reasons why you should consider taking my approach.

1 I rarely need “new” features

Many technological items such as smartphones and laptops are updated every year. Things usually don’t change much in 12 months; MacBooks are a pretty good example of this. Some of the new features are useful, but to be honest, I find a lot of them pretty gimmicky. Knowing how to spot these tricks was essential to better decision making.

Waiting for the newest device to be released before buying what came before has always served me well, and I’ve used this tactic since 2010. I’ve found that updating my technology every 3-5 years has always been the best return on investment; the jump from the iPhone 8 Plus to the iPhone 13, for example, led to a better camera and more efficient use.

When you buy the latest generation technology and upgrade less often, you’ll also appreciate the new features you get more.

2 You will still get the same software updates as the latest version

Having the latest software is much more important to me than being able to use all the latest features, and even if you get the latest generation technology, you’ll often get the latest software updates. For example, my iPhone doesn’t get the latest software until about five years after its release. You will find plenty of other phones that also receive long-term software updates.

With many software updates, you get the same features as a newer device (although that’s not always the case). This is not limited to smartphones and laptops; I love how my headphones and camera still get the latest firmware updates and work just as well as the newer model.

3 It is significantly less expensive

I’m very happy to spend a lot of money on something that I think will add value to my life. For example, I dropped over $2,000 on my MacBook Pro without thinking twice because I saw the benefits as a writer and photographer. However, I try not to spend money on things that will not improve.

The current technical differences and the technological differences of the last generation are usually not enough to justify the price difference. You certainly want good tools to help you do your daily tasks, but that doesn’t mean you have to buy the latest technology.

One way to adopt “good enough” technology and save money is to wait for a new release and then buy what used to be the latest version. You can potentially save more by waiting for others who have upgraded to start rolling out their old technology.

4 It’s less risky

Maybe it’s because I have 10 years of marketing experience, but I always look at ads and product release articles with a critical eye. Since these companies are trying to make money, of course they paint their products in the best possible light. If you’ve never bought anything from them, you could be taking a huge risk.

Getting the latest generation technology means that the product has already been tried by other users. Whoever likes it will leave reviews and the same goes for people at the other end of the scale. You can read what users have said to get a better idea of ​​whether the purchase is a good idea for you.

When reading online reviews, you should make sure you know that a technical review can be fake. Doing so will help you avoid being misled.

5 They mostly look the same

Buying the latest technology comes with a certain degree of status, and I’m not surprised that some people keep upgrading their devices. Showing off the latest gadget signals to others that you have some money to spend, and whether we like it or not, humans are comparing creatures. However, if you’re buying new technology for design purposes, you probably won’t need the latest version.

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Technology often goes through a major design overhaul every 5 to 10 years. But if you buy a product released every year, you probably won’t see much of a difference from the previous version. For example, when I bought the iPhone 13, the iPhone 14 looked almost identical. And if it even matters, most (intelligent) people might not care; When I had an iPhone with a Home Button, they treated me no differently than when I bought one with Face ID.

6 Less waste

Not spending the full retail price is nice, but there are other benefits to buying second-hand technology. For example, I always buy second-hand cameras and lenses, and it’s nice to know that you’re helping to create less waste. When someone sells me their old technology, I keep it from gathering dust; same when someone else buys my stuff.

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You should always do your research before buying used electronics, but purchasing used or refurbished technology is often more sustainable. Because the latest generation technology has been around longer than the latest version, you’ll likely find more options to choose from.

7 The “worst” features are still better than the best version 5+ years ago

Some technology, such as game consoles, televisions, and cameras, are updated less frequently than phones and laptops. It’s easy to think that buying the latest technology is important for a good experience, but you also have to remember that even the worst features are still better than what they were five years ago.

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I’ll use my camera as an example here. When I bought my latest one in 2022, it was already a few years old. Naturally, I looked at the others that had come out in the meantime. However, I realized that the most important features – such as image quality – were still better than what existed before.

If I needed the latest tools, I would upgrade accordingly. But since I didn’t, it seemed pointless.

8 You still often get a warranty

You never want to be caught out buying something new because something can always go wrong. However, when buying the latest generation technology, you will often still have a warranty period.

I’ve also noticed that when I buy used last generation technology I get a warranty period which offers additional peace of mind. In many cases, you are still entitled to paid extras – such as extra coverage if you feel you need it.

9 Many customer support teams will be helping you for years to come

Every time a new model comes out, you have to remember that not everyone who had the previous version will upgrade. Most manufacturers don’t suddenly end their support, which means you should still get help if something happens.

It takes time to phase out old technology, and you’ll probably be getting help for at least a few years (if not longer).

It’s tempting to buy the latest technology, but most of the time you probably don’t need it. Buying last generation technology has served me well for almost 15 years and I’m sure it will continue to do so well into the future.