Quick decision
- Already own a working TI-83 Plus? Keep it. It does the math high school asks for and is allowed on the SAT, ACT, and AP exams.
- Buying for a new high school student: TI-84 Plus CE. A used one costs about the same as a TI-83 Plus and is easier to learn on.
- Teacher demos on a TI-84 Plus CE: TI-84 Plus CE. Same keys, but the CE's screens and menus look different.
- Don't pay new-in-box prices for a TI-83 Plus. TI is winding it down and remaining stock is priced above a used CE.
- Want the newest model with Python: look at the TI-84 Evo (2026, about $160).
Side-by-side
| TI-83 Plus | TI-84 Plus CE | |
|---|---|---|
| Released | 1999 | 2015 |
| Screen | Monochrome, 96 × 64 | Color, 320 × 240 |
| Processor | Z80, 6 MHz | eZ80, up to 48 MHz |
| User memory | 24 KB RAM + 160 KB archive | ~154 KB RAM + 3 MB flash |
| Textbook-style display (MathPrint) | No | Yes |
| Power | 4 × AAA + backup cell | Rechargeable over USB |
| Computer link | Serial link cable | USB |
| CAS | No | No |
| SAT / ACT / AP | Allowed | Allowed |
| Status | Being discontinued (2026) | Still sold new |
| Typical new price | Leftover stock, ~$117 at third-party sellers | ~$95–$160 |
The short version
The TI-83 Plus came out in 1999 and was the standard high school graphing calculator for years. It still works, it still runs on AAA batteries, and it is still allowed on the SAT, ACT, and AP exams.
The TI-84 Plus CE is the 2015 descendant. Same basic key layout, but with a color screen, a much faster processor, a rechargeable battery, and math that displays the way it looks in a textbook.
If a student already has a working TI-83 Plus, there is no rule or test that forces an upgrade. If you're buying today, the CE is the better use of the money.
Why the TI-83 Plus mattered
The original TI-83 arrived in 1996 and the Plus followed in 1999, adding flash memory so students could install apps and archive programs (Wikipedia). It became the calculator teachers built lessons around. In 2013, 14 years after launch, it was still often the number two graphing calculator on Amazon's sales chart (Tech Powered Math).
TI replaced it with the TI-84 Plus in 2004 but kept selling the TI-83 Plus alongside it for two decades. That run is now ending. In April 2026, calculator dealer Underwood Distributing reported that the TI-83 Plus is being discontinued and that its remaining stock is limited (Underwood Distributing).
The specs in context
TI's own spec sheet lists 24 KB of RAM and 160 KB of flash archive for the TI-83 Plus, a 16-character by 8-line monochrome screen, and four AAA batteries (Texas Instruments). It runs a Z80 processor at 6 MHz (Wikipedia).
The TI-84 Plus CE uses an eZ80 at up to 48 MHz, gives users about 154 KB of RAM and 3 MB of flash, and has a 320 × 240 color screen with a rechargeable battery (Wikipedia).
What that means in class:
- Graphs. Both draw the same functions. On the CE, multiple graphs are in different colors and the screen has far more detail, which helps when telling curves apart.
- Reading the screen. The CE shows fractions, exponents, and roots in textbook form (MathPrint). The TI-83 Plus never got this, so students type and read everything in one-line calculator syntax (Tech Powered Math).
- Fixing mistakes. The same review notes the TI-83 Plus lacks the scroll-back history that newer TI-84 software added, so reusing or editing an earlier calculation is clunkier.
- Speed. For homework-sized problems, the TI-83 Plus is fast enough. Speed differences show up with large data sets and long programs.
Exam rules
The TI-83 Plus has no computer algebra system (CAS), which is the main thing the big exams ban.
- ACT: any graphing calculator not on the prohibited list is allowed. The list bans TI-89 and TI-92 models and anything with CAS (ACT calculator policy).
- SAT: only non-CAS calculators are allowed, and the digital test app includes a built-in Desmos graphing calculator (SAT calculator policy).
- AP and IB: TI lists the TI-83 Plus as approved for SAT, ACT, PSAT/NMSQT, AP, and IB exams (Texas Instruments).
The TI-84 Plus CE is approved for the same exams. On exam rules, neither calculator has an edge.
Battery and durability
The TI-83 Plus runs on AAA batteries, with a small lithium cell that protects memory during swaps. On the Cemetech forum, experienced users note the black-and-white TI-83/84 models get "well over forty hours" on a set of AAAs (Cemetech). A 2020 student review in a high school newspaper reported a couple of months of regular use per set (The Algonquin Harbinger).
The CE needs a USB charge instead. Older CE units can have tired batteries, so check that a used one holds a charge.
What they sell for now
TI-84 Plus CE, used: across 173 used units sold on eBay between April and October 2026, the middle half went for $45 to $60, with a median of about $53 (Price Index). New, it usually runs about $95 to $160 depending on the retailer and sale.
TI-83 Plus, new: with production winding down, new units are mostly leftover stock. On November 9, 2026, Walmart's listing showed third-party sellers starting at $117.25 (Walmart). That is more than a used CE.
What owners say
Owners and enthusiasts are consistent on a few points:
- It still does the job. The 2020 student review calls it "a great choice for high schoolers," praising its simple interface and built-in tools, while listing the lack of color, the weak screen, and no history feature as occasional annoyances (The Algonquin Harbinger).
- Don't buy it new. Tech Powered Math's retro review advised against buying a new TI-83 Plus over a TI-84 model, mainly because of the missing MathPrint display (Tech Powered Math).
- Shoppers mix them up. Recurring questions on Best Buy's TI-83 Plus listing ask whether it has a color screen like the CE. It does not (Best Buy Q&A).
Our take
The TI-83 Plus is not obsolete for math class. It graphs, it runs statistics, it is legal on every major exam, and a set of AAAs lasts a long time. If one is already in a drawer, use it.
It is a poor purchase in 2026, though. New stock is being sold off at prices above a used TI-84 Plus CE, and the CE is easier to learn on because the screen shows math the way the textbook does. Students following a teacher who demos on a CE will also find the screens match.
Alternatives
- TI-84 Plus CE: the safe default. See our TI-84 Plus CE review.
- TI-84 Evo: TI's newest TI-84, released April 28, 2026 at about $160. It replaces the TI-84 CE Python, adds Python and USB-C charging, and uses a new program format, so older TI-Basic programs don't carry over directly (Eddie's Math and Calculator Blog). TI says it is about three times faster than its predecessor and is approved for the ACT, SAT, IB, and AP (Pulse 2.0).
- Cheaper non-TI options: see best graphing calculators for high school.
Fine if you already own one. Not worth buying new
A working TI-83 Plus still handles Algebra through AP Calculus and is legal on every major exam. If you're buying, a used TI-84 Plus CE costs roughly what a TI-83 Plus does and gives a color screen, textbook-style math, and a rechargeable battery.
Where to buy
Prices change often. Check the current price before buying. Some links are affiliate links, which never change our verdicts.
FAQ
Is the TI-83 Plus allowed on the SAT and ACT?
Yes. It has no computer algebra system, so it meets both the SAT and ACT rules. TI also lists it as approved for AP and IB exams. The digital SAT also has a Desmos graphing calculator built into the test app.
Is the TI-83 Plus discontinued?
TI is winding it down. Calculator dealer Underwood Distributing reported in April 2026 that the TI-83 Plus is being discontinued and that remaining supply is limited.
Can a TI-83 Plus do everything a TI-84 Plus CE can for high school math?
For the calculations, mostly yes. It graphs functions, runs statistics and regressions, and handles matrices. What it lacks is color, the textbook-style MathPrint display, a quick way to edit earlier entries, and Python.
Will my teacher's TI-84 instructions work on a TI-83 Plus?
Most key presses are the same, so students can follow along. The screens look different, and some TI-84 menu shortcuts and features are missing on the TI-83 Plus.
