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Nothing is worth waiting for if your current phone needs to be replaced. That being said, current smartphone innovations have been such a snoozefest you'd hardly notice a major difference that'll justify the price.

Let's not forget many of these "rumours" are just created for us to be continiously hyped by the Apple machine. I've literally lost count how many of these features ended up being in iPhones 1-2 generations from the initially rumored generation. Yes, it's that dumb.
Exactly. Little has changed in terms of day to day functionality of high end smartphones since the 14 pro and pro max included a 48 megapixel camera, 2000 nit screen brightness, emergency SOS satellite calling, Dynamic Island and always on display. There is almost no point upgrading for a few years if one currently has a good condition 14, 15 or 16 pro. After having a 14 pro and now a 14 pro max, they’re so solid and reliable that the next iPhone pro I buy will likely just be second hand. An ‘as new’ reconditioned 2 year old iPhone 14 pro max 256gb with 100% battery currently goes for less than the price of a new 16e 256gb and considerably less than a standard 16. Unless more people start to discover reconditioned phones, or if there is an (unexpected) generational leap in ‘must have’ tech, in a few years I’ll just pick up an ‘as new’ 17pm for $1k NZD and call it good.
 
Next up: why to skip the iPhone 18 and wait for iPhone 19:
  1. A21 chip
  2. Better camera
  3. Selfie camera under display
Yeah, my 13Pro has a blurry camera lens and the battery is terrible. I thought maybe this article would have real reasons to wait for 18. I'm not going to pay whatever thousands they'll ask for the foldable so I guess I'll just do the 17Pro. If something truly remarkable comes in the 18 I'll just take a carrier incentive and upgrade.
 
Cancelled my iPhone 17 preorder.
Why would someone allege to cancel 17 [which there are no preorders yet] before even seeing 17? Whatever rumors exist about 18 do not denigrate 17. And for about a dollar a day you can upgrade every year if you want to.
 
Next year 2026 before the iPhone 18 series is announced, article will say here are few reasons why you should skip iPhone 18 and wait for iPhone 19. Than, you know where I am going. Life is short, get when you want to and not rely on what in future.
 
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I have 15 pro max, the battery life is 88% from novembre 2023, the only valid reason to skip is better camera and better design in 2026 model.
 
I am not looking forward to buying the iPhone 17 Pro as I don't think there will be new features as compared to the iPhone 16 Pro. Probably in the future I will explore a new iPhone series.
 
Not sure my iPhone 11, with a lightly-cracked screen, can last another year.

I do like the idea of a better camera sensor though (less noise, which I assume means better in low light, and more dynamic range).

On the flip side, when the 18 is close to being released, the thread on here talking about how cool the 19 is going to be will make me stuck again. So I'll probably get the 17. Probably.
I’m in the same boat, my 11 is nearing its end, but I’m undecided what to go for between 15/16/17
 
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I’m in the same boat, my 11 is nearing its end, but I’m undecided what to go for between 15/16/17

I think I'll find it hard to buy the 16 knowing there's a slightly better option available. It'll depend on the exact improvements and the price difference. I won't know until the 17 is out!
 
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By saying "...the redundancy of annual consumer tech releases" are you suggesting that tech does not advance every year? If so, I disagree.
Anecdotally yep. Perhaps every 3-4 years there is something worth considering upgrading in terms of consumer tech. If it’s your hobby to geek out and stay up with the latest gear then go for it. I’m writing this on a 14pro max 256gb that I bought recently ‘as new’ with a new battery for less than the price of a new model 16e (I’d have been a mug to spend double that amount on a 16pro max).
 
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