Why almost no one needs a flagship smartphone anymore

Why almost no one needs a flagship smartphone anymore

When it comes to buying a new tech, there's always a temptation to get the latest and greatest. With products like smartphones that have good, better, best options, many feel like they must opt for the most expensive, feature-packed flagship model to enjoy all the benefits the device has to offer. This isn't necessarily true, however. While there are always upgraded features, specs, and even design changes with the flagship device, the average user probably doesn't need them. It's nice to have all the bells and whistles, but, for the majority of users, the top-of-the-line versions aren't always worth the extra dollars.

There is still a case for getting the most premium phone. Serious mobile gamers, for example, or content creators who want to shoot in RAW mode, need higher-res cameras or advanced optical zoom will benefit from upgrades. But for basic productivity, casual gaming, web surfing, shooting photos and videos for posterity or social media, even advanced AI, you don't necessarily need the flagship phone. Save a few hundred bucks in some cases and go with the base model. The good news is that if you find it doesn't meet your needs, or you'd have use for upgraded features the base model doesn't have, you can always upgrade or trade-in.