US adults are juggling higher tech prices with smaller budgets this year. Can the sales help them afford more?

The holidays have never been merciful when it comes to balancing everyday expenses, so juggling your necessities during a busy (and expensive) shopping season can be tough. There’s a glimpse of that in CNET’s latest holiday survey. This time last year, holiday spending for tech products and services was higher, with the average US adult spending $931. Now, that budget has shrunk to $808, a $123 dip from last year’s survey findings.

But there have been so many new releases this year, like Apple’s AirPods 5, the highly anticipated Legend of Zelda-themed Switch 2 console, and even Apple’s first foldable phone, the iPhone Duo. We can’t all comfortably fit new devices into smaller holiday budgets. The real question is, who’s to blame for me saying, “Bah humbug!” when I start my holiday shopping — the economy or tech brands?

Let’s be real, we’re juggling a lot financially. There are higher prices on everything from everyday goods to gas and utilities. Covering necessary expenses doesn’t leave much room to pay for new personal tech that costs hundreds, even thousands, for some devices like the iPhone Duo or the iPhone 18 Pro Max. 

But why are US adults spending less on tech when so many new devices were released this year? CNET Senior Editor Adam Oram, an expert deal hunter, says tech is becoming unaffordable, and we’re dealing with higher everyday living costs.

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