Hey,
It’s Pete Matheson with a new issue of Experiments in Progress.
The worst time to upgrade tech is right before the next cycle lands. So, this isn’t a “what to buy” guide.
It’s a what not to buy right now guide.
🚫 What I Wouldn’t Buy Right Now
Here’s what I’d hold off on right now 👇
📱 Smartphones: Pixel, iPhone
If you’re thinking about upgrading your phone right now…
I’d wait.
Pixel 11 is likely dropping around August
New iPhones are coming in September
Foldable iPhone → still in development
Anything you buy today is about to feel outdated very quickly.
🖥️ Macs: Mac Mini / Mac Studio
Apple has basically refreshed most of the lineup already, but not everything.
M5 Mac Mini → likely coming soon
Mac Studio refresh → also expected
So if you’re about to buy a desktop Mac, I’d hold off a bit longer.
📺 Displays
This is the category I’d be most careful with right now.
Display tech is about to shift again:
4th gen tandem OLED panels
New RGB panel tech (Sony / Samsung)
Better brightness + efficiency improvements
Buying now could feel like bad timing in 6–12 months. If you can wait, wait.
🎧 What I’d Actually Buy Right Now
Some products are actually in a good buying window:
AirPods Max → recently refreshed
MacBooks (M5) → already updated
Accessories → not tied to big cycles
iPads (current gen) → stable unless you care about OLED rumors
🎯 Quick Decision Guide
Product | Buy or Wait | Why |
|---|---|---|
Pixel (current gen) | ❌ Wait | Pixel 11 expected in ~Aug |
iPhone (current gen) | ❌ Wait | New models in Sept |
Mac Mini | ❌ Wait | M5 refresh likely soon |
Mac Studio | ❌ Wait | Update cycle not complete |
Apple TV | ⚠️ Depends | Refresh likely, but low impact |
Displays / Monitors | ❌ Wait | New OLED / RGB panel tech coming |
Nintendo Switch | ❌ Wait | Next-gen expected soon |
AirPods Max | ✅ Buy | Recently refreshed |
MacBook (M5) | ✅ Buy | Already updated |
Accessories | ✅ Buy | Not cycle-sensitive |
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