Unless you have an extra $1,000 or more lying around, you might need to cut back on some everyday expenses.

You can kiss your daily Starbucks specialty coffee goodbye for over a year if you want to afford the newest Samsung Galaxy phone.

Now that Samsung is coming in hot with its Galaxy S26 lineup, the question remains: how to afford one?

You’ve probably heard those enticing ads that say you can buy the latest smartphone by paying the same as you would for a cup of coffee.

While many like to point out how expensive the latest tech is, how costly is it when compared to various everyday necessities? We decided to compare the prices of the newest Samsung phones to the cost of everyday items, such as coffee, transportation, and rent.

How many cups of coffee can you buy instead of a Samsung Galaxy S25?

In just a couple of hours, Samsung will unveil its latest addition to its smartphone lineup, the Galaxy S26.

While it’s not yet clear how much it will cost, we can assume the price will be similar to or higher than the Samsung Galaxy S25 series.

The starting price of the Samsung Galaxy S25 is around $860, according to the company’s official website.

Let’s assume we want to splash out and get the most expensive variant, the Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra with 1TB storage. That will cost $1,420.

How many cups of coffee can one get for that sum? In the US, a regular cup of coffee costs around $3.50, which gives you 405 cups. Of course, it could be even fewer if you live in a more expensive city or don’t miss a specialty drink at Starbucks.

Last year, in the US, one of the most expensive commodities was eggs, when their price reached $8 per dozen.

Egg prices aren’t as dramatic this year, with the average carton priced at $3.60. So, for the price of the Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra, you can get almost 394 cartons of eggs (or more than 4,728 eggs).

Also, if you’re trying to save up for a new phone and keep slipping, especially when a Friday night rolls around, just know that if you contain yourself from buying 236 pints of beer, you’ll have a new device instead.

That is, if you take the average price of a pint of domestic beer in a bar or restaurant is $6.

A new Samsung Galaxy 25 Ultra vs basic necessities

Food and drinks aren’t the only necessities that keep us alive these days.

When it comes to the affordability of things, one of the biggest headaches is being able to pay rent, electricity, water, and internet bills.

According to a retail blog, Apartments, the average monthly rent for an apartment in the US is $1,626, which should get you a one-bedroom place (696 Sq Ft). However, for the price of the Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra, you wouldn’t be able to cover a month’s rent.

But for this sum, you’d be able to pay your internet bill almost 18 times, if we take into account that the average monthly cost for that is around $80.

Insurance is among the things that many don’t want to miss paying for. However, it’s also a pricey necessity.

In 2025, the average monthly cost of employee health insurance was around $746 for individuals and $2,131 for families, according to Thatch, a company specializing in employer-sponsored health benefits.

Taking this into consideration, if you’re on an individual plan, you can either choose to be insured for two months or look the other way and enjoy your brand new Samsung Galaxy smartphone.

What could also make you think twice about getting a new smartphone for that price is the cost of your transportation.

The Bureau of Transportation Statistics states that transportation is the second largest expenditure category after housing.

A monthly transportation payment for an American is around $1,113, states Ramsey Solutions. For this sum, you can cover your car payment, gas, insurance, repairs, and airline tickets, or get a new smartphone instead.

Affordability debate

Owning an expensive piece of tech may no longer be considered a sign that someone is living a rich life.

With companies and third-party retailers offering deals and plans, it has become easier for consumers to afford the latest gadgets.

Apple calls it iPhone Upgrade Program, while Samsung offers several programs such as Samsung Access, Samsung Upgrade Program, and Samsung’s Galaxy Upcycling at Home.

Mobile carriers also don’t miss the opportunity to offer promotions.

Despite these opportunities, many are still aware of the need to weigh their possibilities and whether they can afford certain things.

Recently, an Indian woman sparked an online debate with a video showing her standing in a bus.

The woman started the video caption by writing: “Bought an iPhone 17 Pro Max with my own money. Still standing in a bus like the rest of the country.”

While some praised the woman for buying an expensive piece of tech, others said the money could’ve been spent on necessities like better transportation.

Situations like this could also indicate that having a new piece of technology is shifting from a luxury good to a necessity.

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