If you’re ready to upgrade your iPhone, you might want to hang tight.
Apple’s fall event is happening on Tuesday, during which it’s expected to debut the iPhone 17 lineup. So if you wait just a bit longer, you can either score the latest device or get a discount on previous models.
Preorders for new iPhones typically open up the Friday after they’re announced, meaning you’ll likely be able to place an order for the iPhone 17 starting Sept. 12. The phones usually ship a week later.
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Newer iPhones tend to include camera and processor upgrades, as well as new features to make them more enticing. For instance, the iPhone 14 Pro models introduced Dynamic Island, the iPhone 15 Pro and Pro Max debuted the Action button and the iPhone 16 series added the Camera Control button and Apple Intelligence across the full lineup, rather than on just the Pro models.
According to leaks and reports, the iPhone 17 lineup, which Apple technically has yet to confirm, could have a fresh camera setup and new color options and, perhaps most notably, could include a slimmer version of the iPhone to compete with similar offerings such as Samsung’s Galaxy S25 Edge. It’ll likely arrive with the recently announced iOS 26, which features Apple’s biggest software design shakeup in more than a decade.
You can check out our iPhone 17 rumor roundup for more on what might be coming in the fall.
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Will waiting for the iPhone 17 be worth it?
Overall, iPhone upgrades in the past several years have been relatively modest. And it’s likely, based on rumors, that the iPhone 17 lineup will generally follow that mold.
But even with more moderate changes, now’s not a good time to buy a new iPhone, if you can help it. We’re just a couple days away from the anticipated launch of Apple’s next smartphone. So if you hold on a little longer, you can snag that flashy new device when it drops.
If you buy a new iPhone 16 now, you’ll probably pay full price for something that in just a few days’ time will technically be outdated (the harsh reality of the annual phone release cycle). And even if you get a good deal through your carrier now, if you stick it out just a bit longer, you could potentially get an even more lucrative deal once the iPhone 17 drops and carriers ramp up their promotions.
If anything, waiting to see what the iPhone 17 has in store could at least help you confirm whether going with the newest device or an older one like the iPhone 16 or 15 is worth it. After all, if the differences are minimal, you might as well save a couple of hundred dollars by choosing a previous model. And chances are — if the iPhone 17 is anything like the last several iPhones — no one will even be able to tell.
But what about tariffs?
One big unknown is whether tariffs will affect the price of the iPhone 17, which could sway your purchasing decisions. While smartphones and computers were given an exemption from President Donald Trump’s more extensive tariffs, he recently said Apple will still have to pay a 25% tariff on iPhones made outside the US. This would almost certainly lead to a price hike.
But even without tariffs, the iPhone is due for a markup, according to CNET’s Patrick Holland. “The iPhone hasn’t had a price hike in five years and is due for one,” he writes. “Historically, that’s the longest stretch of time the company has gone without an increase.” (You can check out more of his thoughts here.)
So, is it still worth waiting for the iPhone 17? It depends. If you were already planning on purchasing a new iPhone and can’t wait much longer, I can understand panic-buying now. But bear in mind you’ll still likely pay full price for an iPhone 16 model that will be worth less the moment the iPhone 17 drops. So, you might be coughing up more for an iPhone 17, but at least you’ll get more bang for your buck.
So, when’s the best time to buy a new iPhone?
There’s not necessarily a “best” time to buy a new iPhone, because prices are pretty consistent throughout the year, but the fall is an enticing option. That’s when Apple introduces its latest slate of iPhones, and when carriers are eager to attract new customers with abundant trade-in deals and promotions. And again, even if you don’t want the latest and greatest iPhone, you can at least snag an older version at a discount right after the iPhone 17 drops.
In general, we recommend upgrading to a new phone if your existing one is more than two generations old. You can typically wring more life out of your device, but if you want to stay on top of the latest features like Apple Intelligence, leveling up is the way to go. And with just a couple more days left before the anticipated drop of the iPhone 17, you might as well see what fresh capabilities Apple has up its sleeve.
