Today is the absolute worst time to buy an iPhone
The iPhone 16 lineup is expected to be unveiled on Monday at 10 a.m. PT during Apple’s Glowtime EventDuring the keynote, be sure to follow CNET’s iPhone 16 event live blog for more details on all the features and devices Apple announces.
Keeping this in mind before upgrading your iPhone can potentially save you money or prevent you from regretting your purchase.
In general, it’s not a good idea to buy a new iPhone right before the next model comes out. Even if you don’t care about the latest and greatest technology, there are good reasons to wait. If you wait, you’ll have a better idea of whether it’s worth upgrading to the latest model or whether you’d be better off with a previous-generation iPhone for a little less money.
Apple never discusses new products until it’s ready to announce them, so it’s impossible to know the company’s future plans for the iPhone. But historically, Apple has introduced new iPhones in mid-September, with availability beginning the week after the company’s launch event.
Below, take a closer look at Apple’s typical product launch schedule, what to expect from the iPhone 16, and more.
Read more: Apple’s ‘Glowtime’ iPhone 16 event: What to expect and how to watch
Check this out: iPhone 16: A new button for the biggest year of upgrades yet
The best time to buy a new iPhone
iPhone prices don’t change much throughout the year.
There’s no real “best” time to buy a new iPhone. Apple doesn’t change its pricing structure often, and carriers and retailers typically offer similar trade-in discounts throughout the year.
However, fall is usually a smart time to buy an iPhone. By waiting until the new version arrives, you can make an informed decision about whether it’s worth upgrading or keeping your current phone for another year.
In general, we recommend upgrading if your phone is more than two generations old. 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 the new chips, like the iPhone 15 Pro and Pro Max.
If you’re upgrading to the latest iPhone, you may want to consider waiting until it’s been on the market for a few weeks or months, if possible. This can make it easier to get the color and storage capacity you want, since demand is typically high right after the iPhone launches. Waiting also ensures that you’re aware of any potential bugs or issues before you upgrade, such as the iOS 17 overheating issue that first affected some iPhone 15 Pro units last year.
The Worst Time to Buy a New iPhone
The iPhone 15 will be shown off at Apple’s iPhone launch event in 2023.
While there may not be a best time to buy a new iPhone, there certainly is a worst time: late July through early September. In other words, don’t buy an iPhone right before Apple launches a new one.
New iPhones typically include camera upgrades, a new processor (especially on the Pro models), and other features like Dynamic Island, which debuted on the Pro in 2022 but made its way to the regular iPhone 15 in 2023. If you buy the current model right before Apple launches a new model, you’ll miss out on these improvements and essentially pay the same price as the next-generation iPhone.
You may not be interested in the latest iPhone. Maybe your current phone is four years old, and you just want to upgrade to something that feels faster and has better battery life. Either way, you’ll have to wait. Apple typically discounts previous-year models when it launches new iPhones, as it did with the 2023 iPhone 14, which now retails for $699. The two-generation-old iPhone 13 now retails for $599 through Apple, $200 cheaper than its starting price of $799 when it launched in 2021.
It’s also worth noting that Apple allows returns for 14 calendar days from the date you received the product. If Apple changes the price of a product, you can also request to be refunded the price difference, as long as you do so within 14 days of the change. But Apple’s policy Please note that you must have received the product within 14 calendar days of the price change.
Check this out: One more thing: don’t buy any Apple products yet
I took over 600 photos with the iPhone 15 Pro and Pro Max. Check out my favorites
View all photosWhat can you expect from the iPhone 16?
The iPhone 16 (not pictured) is expected to launch in September.
With that in mind, you might be wondering if it’s worth waiting for the iPhone 16. It’s impossible to know exactly what to expect until Apple announces the next iPhone. But rumors and reports suggest the following changes are in store for Apple’s next batch of iPhones:
- Larger screen sizes on the Pro models, according to Bloomberg, MacRumors and analysts Ming Chi Kuo And Ross Jong.
- A dedicated camera button, likely only for the Pro models, and the Action button on regular iPhone 16 models, according to Bloomberg And MacRumors.
- A tetraprism 5x telephoto camera on the iPhone 16 Pro, according to Ming Chi KuoThis type of camera is currently only found on the larger and more expensive iPhone 15 Pro Max.
- A new processor, likely called the A18 or A18 Pro.
What to Expect from the Apple Event
The tagline for this year’s September Apple Event is “It’s Glowtime.”
New iPhone models are typically the star of the show when it comes to Apple’s September event. In addition to the iPhone 16 family, which is expected to include the iPhone 16, 16 Plus, 16 Pro and 16 Pro Max, the company could also introduce new Apple Watches and AirPods.
According to the company, it would mainly refresh its cheapest and mid-range AirPods. Bloomberg’s Mark GurmanAs for the Apple Watch, Gurman also reported that the company may be planning a major overhaul of the Apple Watch X.
And then there’s the tagline “It’s Glowtime,” which might suggest that Apple Intelligence is one of the areas of focus during the event.
Check out our preview to learn more about what to expect.
What should you pay attention to when buying a new iPhone?
iPhones on display at an Apple Store.
There are several factors to consider when buying a new phone. Your budget is the biggest consideration, as it will dictate your options. Otherwise, you’ll need to decide what you hope to get out of your new phone.
Do you use your phone a lot for photography and videography projects and need the best camera possible in an iPhone? If the answer is yes, the Pro models are the way to go. 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 large screen for checking email and watching video. If that’s the case, consider the Plus or Pro Max model. (Two analysts even predict that Apple will drop the Plus model after the release of the iPhone 16 Plus.)
Then there are last year’s models. Buying a phone from last year can be a good option if you want a bigger screen and don’t want to spend an extra $100 on the latest Plus model. For example, Apple currently sells the iPhone 14 Plus for $799, 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 decent amount of use out of an iPhone that’s a generation behind. Just keep in mind that you won’t get access to some of Apple’s new software features that are part of Apple Intelligence.
In general, when buying a new iPhone, it’s best to avoid shopping just before the new one comes out and think about your priorities and budget. We’ll have more advice as we learn more about what to expect from the iPhone 16.
