Apple’s iPhone 16 lineup may be just around the corner, and keeping this in mind before upgrading your iPhone could save you money or prevent you from experiencing some serious buying regret.
Generally speaking, buying a new iPhone right before the next model is released is not a wise choice. Even if you’re not interested in the latest and greatest technology, there are good reasons to wait. By waiting, you’ll have a better idea of whether it’s worth upgrading to the latest model, or if you’d be better off buying the previous generation iPhone for a slightly cheaper price.
It’s impossible to know the company’s future plans for the iPhone because Apple never talks about new products until it’s ready to announce them, but so far, Apple has announced new iPhones in mid-September and started selling them the week after the company’s launch event.
Here we break down Apple’s typical product release timeline, what to expect from the iPhone 16, and more.
read more: iPhone 16 design rumors: New buttons and a bigger screen
Take a look at this: iPhone 16: New buttons bring the biggest upgrades yet
The best time to buy a new iPhone
The price of an iPhone doesn’t change much throughout the year.
There’s really no “best” time to buy a new iPhone: Apple doesn’t change its pricing structure very often, and carriers and retailers usually offer similar trade-in discounts throughout the year.
But fall is usually a smart time to buy an iPhone, and waiting until the new version comes out allows you to make an informed decision about whether it’s worth upgrading or sticking with your current phone for another year.
In general, if your phone is more than two generations old, it’s a good idea to upgrade, but it’s also worth remembering that the new features Apple just announced as part of Apple Intelligence will only be available on iPhones with new chips, such as the iPhone 15 Pro and Pro Max.
If possible, consider waiting until a few weeks or months after the release date if you’re looking to switch to the latest iPhone. This can make it easier to get the color or storage capacity you want, as demand is often high shortly after an iPhone launches. Waiting can also let you catch any potential bugs or issues before upgrading, such as the iOS 17 overheating issues that first affected some iPhone 15 Pro units last year.
The worst time to buy a new iPhone
The iPhone 15 was on display at Apple’s 2023 iPhone launch event.
There may not be a best time to buy a new iPhone, but there certainly is a worst time: late July to early September. In other words, don’t buy an iPhone right before Apple launches a new iPhone.
New iPhones typically include camera upgrades, new processors (especially Pro models), and other features like Dynamic Islands, which debuted on the Pro in 2022 and make their way to the regular iPhone 15 in 2023. If you buy a current model just before Apple launches a new one, you’ll miss out on these improvements for roughly the same price you’d pay for the next-generation iPhone.
Maybe you don’t care about having the latest iPhone. Maybe your current phone is four years old and you just want to upgrade to something that feels faster with longer battery life. Either way, you should wait. Apple typically discounts the previous year’s model when it launches a new iPhone, as it did with the 2023 iPhone 14, which is currently selling for $699. The two-generation-old iPhone 13 is currently selling for $599 through Apple, $200 cheaper than the $799 starting price when it was released in 2021.
Also, Apple Returns 14 days from the date you received the item. If Apple changes the price of the item, you may also request a refund of the price difference within 14 days of the change. Apple Policy Please note that you must receive the product within 14 calendar days of the price change.
I took over 600 photos with the iPhone 15 Pro and Pro Max. See my favorites
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What to expect from the iPhone 16
The iPhone 16 (not pictured) is due to be released in September.
With that in mind, you might be wondering if it’s worth waiting for the iPhone 16. Until Apple unveils its next iPhones, it’s impossible to know exactly what to expect. But rumors and reports suggest Apple’s next iPhones could include the following changes:
- The screen size of the Pro model is larger, Bloomberg, MacRumors Analyst Ming-Chi Kuo and Ross Young.
- There will be a dedicated camera button (likely only on the Pro models) and an action button on the regular iPhone 16 models. Bloomberg and MacRumors.
- The iPhone 16 Pro is equipped with a tetraprism 5x telephoto camera. Ming-Chi KuoThis type of camera is currently only found on the larger and more expensive iPhone 15 Pro Max.
- A new processor, likely to be called the A18 or A18 Pro.
What to consider when buying a new iPhone
An iPhone on display at an Apple Store.
When buying a new phone, you need to keep several factors in mind. Your budget is the biggest consideration as it will dictate your options. Apart from that, you need to decide what you want to get out of your new phone.
Do you use your phone a lot for photography and videography projects and want the best camera on an iPhone? If the answer is yes, then the Pro model is the best choice. Screen size also matters. If you have a desktop computer and a phone, but nothing in between like a personal laptop or tablet, you might want a phone with a larger screen for reading emails and watching videos. If so, consider the Plus or Pro Max models. (In fact, two analysts predict that Apple will discontinue the Plus model after it releases the iPhone 16 Plus.)
Then there’s last year’s model. If you want a bigger screen and don’t want to pay the extra $100 for the latest Plus model, buying last year’s phone is a worthwhile option. For example, right now Apple sells the iPhone 14 Plus for $799, which is the same price as the standard iPhone 15. Apple typically supports its phones with software updates for about five years, so you should still be able to get a pretty long life out of your previous generation iPhone. Keep in mind, though, that you won’t have access to some of Apple’s newer software features that are part of Apple Intelligence.
Overall, when buying a new iPhone, it’s best to avoid shopping last minute before launch and think carefully about your priorities and budget. As we know more about what to expect from the iPhone 16, we’ll have more advice to share.
