The Ultimate Calendar Guide: Best Months to Score the Lowest Prices on TVs, Laptops, and Smartphones

Posted on | by couponcache

If you’ve ever pulled the trigger on a big electronics purchase only to see it drop $200 the following week, you know the sting all too well. The truth is, electronics prices follow surprisingly predictable patterns throughout the year. Manufacturers launch new models on reliable schedules, retailers run promotions at the same times annually, and if you know when to shop, you can save hundreds — sometimes even thousands — of dollars on TVs, laptops, and smartphones.

We’ve put together this month-by-month calendar guide so you’ll always know exactly when to buy (and when to wait). Bookmark this one — your wallet will thank you.

TVs: When to Buy for the Best Deals

TVs are one of the most predictable electronics categories when it comes to pricing cycles. Most major TV manufacturers announce their new lineups at CES (Consumer Electronics Show) in January, and those new models start hitting store shelves between March and May. That means retailers are eager to clear out last year’s inventory, and that’s where your savings come in.

Best Months to Buy a TV

  • January – February: Right after CES, retailers begin slashing prices on current-year models to make room for the new lineup. Super Bowl season also brings aggressive TV deals as stores know everyone wants a big screen for the big game.
  • March – April: This is the sweet spot for clearance deals on last year’s models. You might not get the very latest tech, but the savings can be 30-50% off the original price — and honestly, most people won’t notice the difference between a 2024 and 2025 model.
  • November: Black Friday and Cyber Monday remain the undisputed champions for TV deals. Retailers offer doorbuster pricing, and you can find solid mid-range TVs at entry-level prices. Just be aware that some “Black Friday special” TVs are lower-quality models made specifically for the event.
  • December: Post-Christmas sales and end-of-year clearance events can deliver surprisingly good deals, especially on higher-end models that didn’t move during Black Friday.

When to avoid buying a TV: May through September is generally the worst time, as new models are at full price and there are very few promotions outside of a modest Memorial Day or Fourth of July sale.

Laptops: Timing Your Purchase for Maximum Savings

Laptops follow a slightly different rhythm than TVs. The biggest driver of laptop deals is the back-to-school season, but there are several other windows throughout the year where you can score excellent prices.

Best Months to Buy a Laptop

  • July – August: Back-to-school sales are the single best time to buy a laptop. Retailers like Best Buy, Amazon, and Walmart compete fiercely for student dollars, and you’ll find deals on everything from budget Chromebooks to premium ultrabooks. Even if you’re not a student, these deals are available to everyone.
  • November: Black Friday and Cyber Monday deliver the second-best laptop deals of the year. This is an especially great time to pick up gaming laptops and high-performance machines, which tend to see deeper discounts than during back-to-school season.
  • January – February: Similar to TVs, new laptop models get announced at CES, and outgoing models see price cuts. If you don’t need the absolute latest processor or features, this is a fantastic time to grab a deal.
  • May: Memorial Day sales often include modest laptop discounts, making this a decent time to buy if you can’t wait for summer.

When to avoid buying a laptop: September through October tends to be a dead zone. Back-to-school sales are over, and Black Friday hasn’t started yet. Prices tend to be at or near full retail during this stretch.

Pro tip: If you’re buying a laptop for a student, check for additional student discount programs. Apple, Dell, Lenovo, and others offer education pricing year-round that can stack with seasonal sales.

Smartphones: Playing the Launch Cycle Game

Smartphones are trickier because the best time to buy depends heavily on which brand you prefer. Apple and Samsung — the two biggest players — operate on different launch schedules, and understanding those schedules is the key to saving money.

Best Months to Buy an iPhone

  • September – October: This might sound counterintuitive since this is when new iPhones launch, but it’s actually the best time to buy the previous generation at a reduced price. Apple typically drops the price of the older model by $100 or more, and carriers offer aggressive trade-in promotions.
  • November: Black Friday brings carrier deals, gift card bundles, and occasional direct discounts on the newest iPhone models. Walmart and Target are known for offering gift cards worth $100-$200 with iPhone purchases.
  • March – April: Apple sometimes releases new iPhone SE models or spring promotions during this window. Carrier deals also tend to refresh around this time.

Best Months to Buy a Samsung Galaxy

  • January – February: Samsung’s Galaxy S series launches in this window, and pre-order deals are often the best promotions you’ll see all year. Samsung frequently offers enhanced trade-in values, free storage upgrades, and bundled accessories during pre-order events.
  • July – August: Samsung’s Galaxy Z Fold and Z Flip foldable phones launch in summer, which means the Galaxy S series from earlier in the year sees discounts. This is also when last year’s models get their deepest cuts.
  • November: Once again, Black Friday delivers. Samsung devices see some of their lowest prices of the year during this period, both from Samsung directly and from third-party retailers.

When to avoid buying a smartphone: The worst time to buy is the month or two before a new model launches. Prices on the current model are still high, and you’ll miss out on the promotional frenzy that comes with the new release. For iPhones, that means avoid buying in July and August. For Samsung Galaxy S phones, avoid November and December.

General Money-Saving Tips That Apply Year-Round

Beyond timing your purchases, there are a few strategies that can help you save no matter when you’re buying electronics:

  • Set price alerts: Use tools like to track prices and get notified when they drop.
  • Consider refurbished: Certified refurbished products from manufacturers like Apple, Dell, or Samsung come with warranties and can save you 15-40% off retail prices.
  • Don’t overlook open-box deals