Table of Contents Expand

January 1, 2026 – Happy New Year! 2026 is the perfect time for a new phone or Mac – new models bring AI upgrades, better cameras, battery life. This guide ranks the top 5 worth buying based on 2025 performance, 2026 rumors, and value.

Why Upgrade in 2026

2025 models depreciate fast; 2026 brings AI agents, better chips, longer updates. Choose based on needs: camera, battery, ecosystem, or foldable.

Top 5 Phones & Macs to Buy in 2026

RankModelBest ForStarting PriceKey Features
1iPhone 17 Pro MaxCamera/Video, Ecosystem$1199A19 Pro, 48MP triple, 7-year updates
2Galaxy S26 UltraZoom, Productivity$1299S Pen, 200MP camera, 7-year updates
3Pixel 11 Pro XLAI Photography, Clean Android$999Tensor G5, 7-year updates
4MacBook Pro M5 ProCreative Work, Battery$1999M5 chip, 22-hour battery
5iPad Pro M5Tablet Productivity$999M5 chip, OLED, Apple Pencil Pro

Which One for You

  • Photography/Video: iPhone 17 Pro Max or Galaxy S26 Ultra
  • AI & Clean Software: Pixel 11 Pro XL
  • Creative Professional: MacBook Pro M5 Pro
  • Tablet Productivity: iPad Pro M5
  • Best Value: Wait for 2026 deals on 2025 models
iPhone 17 Pro Max best overall for most people – ecosystem & resale value.

Shop Top Picks at Gzmato

New Year Upgrade at Gzmato

iPhone 17 series, Galaxy S26, MacBook Pro M5 – new & refurbished

New Year Offer: Use code GZMNEWYEAR26 for 10% off!

Shop Phones & Macs →

Data Sources & Methodology (as of Jan 1, 2026):

  • GSMArena, PhoneArena, CNET 2025 awards
  • SellCell resale data
  • Counterpoint market reports
  • Apple/Samsung official specs