Older flagship smartphones used to be difficult to recommend to buyers.
Inefficient chipsets and expiring support limited their appeal, especially given the availability of more impressive midrange phones from Samsung and Google.
They were fine for enthusiasts who wanted a bit more horsepower or the premium build of a flagship phone, but not for buyers who wished for the latest software features or to keep their phone for years.
That’s no longer the case, with flagship phones getting up to seven years of support and chipsets designed for power and efficiency.
It’s possible to get last year’s flagship models for half the price, and there are plenty of chances to save money for savvy buyers.
If you want all the luxury and performance of a flagship but aren’t eager to spend big money, here are the phones I’d recommend.
Google Pixel 9 Pro XL
Fantastic value and performance
A new will still run you around $750, but renewed examples are available for under $500.
If you buy through Amazon, you’re protected if you don’t like the phone you receive, and there won’t be significant wear and tear on a device from only a year ago.
There aren’t any considerable design changes between the Pixel 9 Pro XL and Pixel 10 Pro XL, so you won’t feel left behind buying last year’s model.
It also helps that the Pixel 9 Pro XL is still excellent.
Its 6.8-inch Super Actua display is gorgeous, and its Gorilla Glass Victus 2 protection and aluminum frame give it a premium look and feel.
I enjoy Google’s new Moonstone colorway for 2025, but I love my Rose Quartz Pixel 9 Pro XL variant.
I would not have recommended buying an older Pixel 6 or 7 because previous-generation Tensor chipsets overheated, leading to poor performance and compromised battery life.
Thankfully, I haven’t experienced any of those problems with the Tensor G4 in the Pixel 9 Pro XL. It runs cool and performs well.
It has enough power for everything I want to run in 2025, and its 16GB of RAM means you’ll have enough overhead for a while.
The primary reason the Pixel 9 Pro XL is a fantastic investment in 2025 is its software.
I’m loving the Material 3 Expressive design update on Android 16, and I feel confident I have close to six years of software updates remaining.
I don’t know if I’ll get all the latest Gemini features for that entire time, but Google’s done an admirable job so far bringing as many as possible to older hardware.
My Pixel 6 is enjoyable on Android 16, and I expect that as my Pixel 9 Pro XL ages as well.
Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra
An underrated powerhouse in 2025
If I didn’t review phones for a living, there’s a good chance I’d still be using my Galaxy S23 Ultra.
I really enjoyed the phone, as it sorted out many of the issues I had with the Galaxy S22 Ultra.
Its Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 chipset wasn’t as prone to overheating, and I got the battery life I expected from an expensive flagship phone.
You even get back Bluetooth S pen functionality on the older Galaxy.
It’s a gorgeous phone, and I thought it looked terrific in Lavender.
I don’t love curved displays on phones, but Samsung softened the curve on the Galaxy S23 Ultra, making it less pronounced against the frame.
Its 6.8-inch QHD+ screen holds up well, and the Galaxy S23 Ultra is ideal for watching content and playing games.
One benefit of Samsung not doing much with its camera systems over the last few years is that the Galaxy S23 Ultra doesn’t feel outdated. It takes excellent photos with its 200MP primary sensor.
You won’t feel any power restrictions with the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2, and unlike the Galaxy S22 Ultra, you get an SD8G2 regardless of region.
Samsung promises two more years of One UI upgrades and three more years of security updates.
One UI 8 is solid, and I look forward to seeing Samsung’s software improve in the years to come.
You can pick up a renewed Galaxy S23 Ultra for around $400, making it an outstanding deal. If you want even more software support, an S24 Ultra is also excellent for about $100 extra.
Motorola Razr+ 2024
An unexpected gem in 2025
It’s not a secret that I love the Motorola Razr lineup.
After the company moved away from nostalgia with the first Razrs and introduced a new design, I was hooked.
While I’m disappointed for current Razr+ 2024 owners that the value has dropped significantly, it’s a fantastic opportunity to pick one up for less.
The Razr+ 2024 packs a premium design, Snapdragon 8s Gen 3 chipset, and 12GB of RAM, and I’ve seen them regularly sold between $300 and $400 — that’s an incredible price.
Its larger 4-inch cover display does everything I want it to do, and it’s easy to set up.
I used mine heavily for a year, and it’s held up well. The hinge isn’t as solid as the one on the Motorola Razr Ultra or Razr 2025, but it’s sturdy.
Motorola’s software support is spotty, and you’ll be constantly waiting for updates. Thankfully, Moto’s Android version, Hello UI, is unoffensive and doesn’t cause problems.
The Razr+ 2024 is an ideal option if you want something different without spending a lot.
Plenty of value left in older flagships
It may not have been the case in the past, but I can see people choosing a year- or two-year-old flagship over a new midrange device.
There are still pros and cons to each, but companies have done a much better job of supporting older hardware, and newer chipsets don’t make legacy phones the battery-life nightmares they used to be.
If you want to save hundreds, pick up an old flagship.
