4 Tech Devices You Should Avoid Buying Until 2027
This year may not be the best one for buying some specific tech devices. One big reason to be careful is the conflict between workers and management at Samsung Electronics. All the talks about strikes and shutdowns associated with that conflict have led to growing concerns about tech device prices and the availability of memory chips.
According to Andrew Lokenauth, founder of Fluent in Finance, tech devices that depend on DRAM and NAND flash, like laptops and smartphones, are especially at risk of seeing price increases before we head into 2027. DRAM and NAND are types of memory semiconductors found in modern devices.
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“This mirrors what happened to GPU prices during COVID, except this time it hits everyday devices most people actually need,” he said. “A laptop you could buy today for $800 may cost $950 to $1,000 by late 2026. Waiting 18 months isn't just patience. It's a real money-saving move.”
Here’s a closer look at why experts said to avoid buying four common tech devices for the rest of this year.
Laptops
According to Mark Vena, CEO and principal analyst at SmartTech Research, laptops will be the first wallet punch because they depend heavily on DRAM and SSDs and vendors love using “new AI PC” branding to justify a bigger price tag.
“Budget buyers should avoid impulse upgrades unless the current machine is failing, because more RAM and larger SSDs will carry scarcity premiums,” he added. “Strict rule: Replace the battery, clean the fans, reinstall the OS, add external storage and do not buy a new laptop before 2027 unless your current one cannot run essential apps.”
Smartphones
Per James Sheridan, CEO of Sheridan Technologies, flagship smartphones and high-storage phone upgrades are items to avoid until 2027.
“The ‘256GB to 512GB’ upsell may become much more expensive and some midrange phones may quietly ship with less memory for the same price,” he explained. “Buy only if your current phone no longer receives security updates, has battery failure or cannot perform essential tasks.”
Desktop PCs and SSD Upgrades
“Desktop PCs should be the flexible category, but memory inflation can turn a basic upgrade into a bad-value trap,” Vena said. “SSDs and RAM are usually the cheapest ways to extend a PC’s life, yet those are exactly the parts exposed to the shortage.”
What’s the solution? The strict rule from Vena is to buy only the capacity you truly need, avoid RGB vanity builds, keep your current GPU and monitor longer, clean the system, replace aging CPUs if needed and wait for normalized pricing before building from scratch.
Gaming Consoles
Gaming hardware is vulnerable because modern consoles and handhelds need fast storage, heavy memory bandwidth and large game installs, Vena said.
“If memory prices rise, vendors can raise prices, shrink bundles or push expensive storage upgrades,” he added. “The strict rule here is to delete games you don’t play, add external storage only when discounted, clean vents, replace worn controllers and avoid buying a ‘refreshed’ console unless it delivers a real performance leap.”
This article was provided by MoneyLion.com for informational purposes only and should not be construed as financial, legal or tax advice.
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