If you just want to know which phone to buy this month, here’s the short answer: one pick per budget tier, what changes in September —starting with Apple’s event on the 9th— and —this matters— when it pays to wait instead of buying. Each tier links to its full guide if you want the detail.
The best of each budget (September 2026)
| Budget | Our pick | Why it wins | Full guide |
|---|---|---|---|
| Up to $300 | Redmi Note 15 Pro 5G (~$300) | 200 MP camera and huge battery | See the best under $300 |
| Up to $500 | Google Pixel 10a (~$425) | The best camera and 7 years of support, at its lowest price yet | See the best under $500 |
| Up to $1,000 | OnePlus 15 (~$949) | Top-tier chip and 7,300 mAh | See the best under $1,000 |
This month's three picks, from lowest to highest budget
The price gap between the three isn’t just about tier: each step up adds a year of software support and a wider camera range, so pick based on how long you plan to keep the phone, not just your budget.
What changed this September
- Apple unveils its new lineup on September 9. The “Surprise and Shine” event is John Ternus’s first as Apple’s CEO, and is expected to bring the iPhone 18 Pro, the 18 Pro Max and, per the most consistent leaks, Apple’s first foldable iPhone (there’s no standard iPhone 18 this year — that model is pushed to 2027). If you want a Pro iPhone, waiting five days gets you either the new generation or the 17 Pro at its first real discount.
- The Pixel 10a has dropped further than in August. Amazon has pushed it to its lowest price since launch, about $75 below its original price — the clearest mid-range buy of the month if you don’t need to wait for the iPhone.
- Samsung’s foldables are still cheap. The Z Fold7 and Z Flip7, already replaced by the Fold8 and Flip8, are holding on to the discounts that started back in August after the new generation arrived.
How to pick your tier in 30 seconds
- Just social media, messaging and occasional photos → up to $300. You’re covered and you save. Guide
- You take lots of photos or want to keep it 4-5 years → up to $500. This is where the good camera and 6-7 years of support appear. Guide
- You game, shoot video or want the best without paying Ultra money → up to $1,000. Guide
The three picks, in short
Redmi Note 15 Pro 5G — the king under $300. A 200 MP camera, a 6,580 mAh battery and 90 W charging. Nobody gives more for that money.
🛒 Check the Redmi Note 15 Pro 5GGoogle Pixel 10a — the smartest buy under $500. The best camera in its range and 7 years of updates, now at its lowest price since launch: it works out cheaper per year of use than many $300 phones.
🛒 Check the Pixel 10aOnePlus 15 — real flagship power under $1,000. The same chip as noticeably pricier flagships and the best battery in its class.
🛒 Check the OnePlus 15Buy now or wait?
- You want a mid-range or budget Android → buy now; there are no imminent launches that change the picture in those tiers.
- You want a Pro iPhone, or you’re curious about Apple’s foldable → wait for September 9: either you get the new generation or you buy the current one at its first real discount of its life cycle.
- You want an Android foldable → now is still a good moment thanks to the Fold7 and Flip7 discounts since the Fold8 and Flip8 arrived.
Prices verified in early September 2026; check the current price before buying, as deals change frequently.
Prefer to search by another criterion? See the best value-for-money phone, the Top 10 Android or the Top 10 iPhones.
← Back to home · Looking to compare prices and specs? Check the tier comparison.