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Like clockwork, a brand new iPhone has made its approach by the rumor mill in August, and customers are starting to surprise if they need to purchase what’s at present out there or wait till fall to see how issues play out.
Based mostly on previous traits, there is a good likelihood Apple will unveil the iPhone 17 sequence subsequent Tuesday. So, must you decide up an iPhone 16 out of your native Apple retailer immediately or play the lengthy (however not that lengthy) sport?
Having examined each main smartphone launch over the previous a number of years and helped quite a few household and associates overcome this precise dilemma, here is the choice tree I take advantage of that works each single time.
1. Do you want a brand new telephone proper now?
Fairly easy, proper? If you happen to’re at present utilizing a handset that is severely broken or defected in a approach that stops it from finishing your each day duties, then it is time to purchase a brand new telephone proper now.
I’ve had associates say that they’d be keen to energy by one other month with a closely cracked iPhone if it meant they might simply purchase the next-generation mannequin. Nonetheless, that does not take into accounts the truth that Apple sometimes sells its latest iPhones weeks (if not longer) after they’re formally unveiled to the general public.
So, what’s anticipated to be per week’s wait time can simply turn into a month or extra, relying on which configuration and mannequin you purchase. That is to say, if you happen to want a brand new telephone immediately, do not wait — purchase one ASAP.
2. How a lot are you seeking to spend?
Each new iPhone launch has an enormous unknown: pricing. So, your present (and anticipated) finances must also be thought of as you resolve which mannequin to purchase. Apple’s carried out a commendable job stabilizing iPhone costs through the years, with the bottom mannequin sometimes beginning at $799, the Professional at $999, and the Professional Max at $1,199, so most individuals would assume the iPhone 17 sequence will value about the identical.
However there are a number of extra variables factoring into this yr’s iPhone launch. First, Apple is predicted to launch a brand new iPhone 17 Air (or Slim) mannequin that contains a thinner and lighter design than the usual variant. If it follows Samsung’s value technique with its ultra-thin Galaxy S25 Edge, we will be taking a look at an iPhone that is priced just under the Professional fashions.
Ongoing tariff and commerce talks have additionally led market analysts to consider that Apple will increase the worth of iPhones beginning this September. In keeping with Jefferies analyst Edison Lee, the iPhone 17 Air, Professional, and Professional Max may even see a $50 value enhance, or a 4-5% bump from final yr, with a purpose to offset the price of new parts and exports. This is a snapshot comparability to the iPhone 16 sequence.
|
iPhone 16 costs |
iPhone 17 costs (anticipated) |
|
|
Commonplace |
$799 |
$799 |
|
Air/Slim |
– |
$949 |
|
Professional |
$999 |
$1,049 |
|
Professional Max |
$1,199 |
$1,249 |
If the potential value enhance offers you pause, then it could make extra monetary sense to purchase an older iPhone mannequin just like the 16 or 15, and even the brand new however accessible iPhone 16e (beginning at $599). Apple sometimes reduces the worth of the last-generation iPhone mannequin by $100 when a brand new one is launched, so there is a good likelihood you’ll purchase the iPhone 16 for as little as $699 later this month — must you select to attend issues out.
Lastly, whereas carriers and retailers sometimes supply aggressive trade-in and buy-one-get-one offers when a brand new telephone is launched, these offers should not with out their catches and high-quality print.
Most “free telephone” affords by main carriers often are available alternate for locking right into a long-term contract or upgrading to a pricier knowledge plan. That is to not say that the offers aren’t price it; for the suitable buyer, they’ll actually internet you a brand new iPhone with out a lot further work. Simply bear in mind to do your due diligence earlier than agreeing to something.
3. Do the rumored iPhone 17 options excite you?
Whereas none of those rumored options have been confirmed or made official by Apple, they offer us a glimpse of the subsequent iPhone’s potential. This is an inventory of anticipated modifications this yr, pulled from business consultants, provide chain analysts, and extra.
- The iPhone 17 Air will characteristic the thinnest and lightest design, with a brand new show dimension, a titanium body, and a revamped digicam bar.
- Apple will doubtless substitute the iPhone 17 Plus with the iPhone 17 Air, as shoppers have proven the least curiosity within the former mannequin.
- The iPhone 17 could undertake a smaller “metalens” know-how that enables the Face ID sensor and Dynamic Island module to take up much less area on the show. This additionally permits Apple to shrink the telephone’s bezels and enhance the display screen dimension to six.3 inches.
- Solely the iPhone 17 Professional fashions could have a brand new scratch-resistant, antireflective show panel. Like Apple’s nanotexture choices for MacBooks and iPads, it could come at an additional value.
- The iPhone 17 Professional fashions will characteristic a brand new 48-megapixel telephoto digicam that may seize at 8x optical zoom (up from 5x).
The anticipated shade choices are:
- iPhone 17: Black, White, Metal Grey, Inexperienced, Purple, and Gentle Blue
- iPhone 17 Air: Black, White, Gentle Blue, and Gentle Gold
- iPhone 17 Professional: Black, White, Grey, Darkish Blue, and Orange
- iPhone 17 Professional Max: Black, White, Grey, Darkish Blue, and Orange
Backside line: Purchase now or wait?
If you happen to want a brand new telephone instantly and can’t wait as much as a month, you should purchase an iPhone 16 (or different present mannequin) proper now. The iPhone 16’s present options, together with an A18 chip that may energy Apple Intelligence instruments, Motion Button, Digicam Management, and Wi-Fi 7 help, will stay related for years to return, so you are not lacking out on a lot by choosing final yr’s mannequin. There’s additionally a very good likelihood that you will discover a deal or value drop on the iPhone 16 immediately.
If you happen to’re in much less of a rush, wait till subsequent Tuesday to see what Apple has to supply with the iPhone 17 sequence. Maybe the iPhone 17 Aiir/Slim mannequin will enchantment to you greater than anticipated, or Apple introduces a digicam characteristic that solves certainly one of your greatest ache factors. Simply be ready for something to occur, together with a better value throughout the board — or none in any respect.
