Is It Even Worth Buying Tech During Early Holiday Sales? Here’s What We Recommend

Early holiday sales have begun, but so too have rising expenses. According to CNET's latest survey, the average US adult spent $931 on tech products last year, a $123 decrease from the year prior. Yet, there's a plethora of new devices hitting the market, such as Apple's AirPods 5, the Zelda-themed Switch 2 console, and the iPhone Duo.

With so many compelling releases, it's easy to see why some consumers are struggling to fit new tech into a tighter budget. The economy might be to blame, as higher prices on everyday goods and utilities leave less room for discretionary tech spending. CNET Senior Editor Adam Oram points out that tech products are becoming increasingly unaffordable amid a lack of innovation - the latest iPhone, for instance, offers little over its predecessor to justify an upgrade.

On top of that, hardware shortages have driven up costs for RAM and other components. This means people may be hanging onto their phones and laptops longer, rather than trading up to the latest model. But is it worth buying tech during these early holiday sales? Oram advises against expecting significant savings, as retailers aren't likely to slash prices drastically this year.

For high-end items, deals may not be as impressive as in previous seasons, thanks to rising component costs. However, Oram suggests that if you need to replace a broken TV, laptop, or tablet, those purchases are worth making, as essential items rarely go on sale. Additionally, there may still be good deals on "nice-to-have" items, such as smart home devices and kitchen gadgets, available throughout October.

If you don't need to upgrade immediately, it might be wise to wait for post-hype deals, especially for smartphones, as carriers often offer discounts after initial launches. Ultimately, Oram suggests prioritizing needs over wants when it comes to tech upgrades, and only splurging on nonessentials if you can afford it.