iPhone XR from iPhone XR to iPhone 16,16pro or 17 . help me decide

[iPod2001]

hello I thinking of upgrading my iPhone XR for my birthday in may, however I am stuck deciding which one to go for .
iPhone 16 because of the better colour options or 16 pro for titanium and a extra camera or wait it out to September .
I am going to be paying monthly for 2 years so this why I am struggling to decide as I will be locked in for 2 years and want something to last for at least that amount of time .
especially with the rumours of the standard 17 getting 120 hz do I wait it out or go for the pro 16? or the standard 16 for the colours ?

 

[krvld]

Wait for sure.

 

[Reverend Benny]

hello I thinking of upgrading my iPhone XR for my birthday in may, however I am stuck deciding which one to go for .
iPhone 16 because of the better colour options or 16 pro for titanium and a extra camera or wait it out to September .
I am going to be paying monthly for 2 years so this why I am struggling to decide as I will be locked in for 2 years and want something to last for at least that amount of time .
especially with the rumours of the standard 17 getting 120 hz do I wait it out or go for the pro 16? or the standard 16 for the colours ?

If you're not in a hurry to swap cuz your battery isn't delivering as it used to do or that the device isn't behaving as it should i'd say wait.
The XR can still run the latest version of iOS so you still have a device that are sound in terms of security updates.

I'm in the same boat as you, have a 13 pro and not sure if I should upgrade to the 16 pro or 17 if it gets the 120hz screen). But at the same time i'm not sure what the prices are going to be when the 17 releases (tarrifs), so might just get the 16 pro.

 

[iPod2001]

If you're not in a hurry to swap cuz your battery isn't delivering as it used to do or that the device isn't behaving as it should i'd say wait.
The XR can still run the latest version of iOS so you still have a device that are sound in terms of security updates.

I'm in the same boat as you, have a 13 pro and not sure if I should upgrade to the 16 pro or 17 if it gets the 120hz screen). But at the same time i'm not sure what the prices are going to be when the 17 releases (tarrifs), so might just get the 16 pro.

Oh completely forgot about tariffs , do we know roughly how much it will increase by?
$100?

 

[iPod2001]

Also with my iPhone XR it could easily last to September probably, few bits of slow down on the software occasionally but nothing too major .
Major problems being slow on games rendering new areas etc which is why I was thinking 16 pro for the graphic performance.

 

[Ctrlos]

Also with my iPhone XR it could easily last to September probably, few bits of slow down on the software occasionally but nothing too major .
Major problems being slow on games rendering new areas etc which is why I was thinking 16 pro for the graphic performance.

Coming from the XR you'll never notice the lack of 120hz on the display. I never miss it on the 16.

Forget the minutae of specs; the only real difference for most users between the 16 and the 16 Pro is the 120hz display and an extra 3x magnification when taking photographs. Thats it.

Yes, the chipset is slightly faster and it has Thunderbolt capable of filming LOG straight to an SSD and you can use it for LiDAR, But these are very niche features most users will never use. They might have value to yourself and if so, pay the extra.

But I would recommend buying the base 16 but spending extra on the 256gb model. If you plan on using it for high end gaming, a title like Death Stranding can take up 80gb+ in storage space. The 17 may well be more expensive due to the impending tariff tax (if you're in the USA).

 

[ayephoner]

Wait for sure.

At this point in the year, I typically recommend that people wait. You didn't mention your XR being awful, so I would think waiting shouldn't be that big of a challenge for you.

 

[iPod2001]

Coming from the XR you'll never notice the lack of 120hz on the display. I never miss it on the 16.

Forget the minutae of specs; the only real difference for most users between the 16 and the 16 Pro is the 120hz display and an extra 3x magnification when taking photographs. Thats it.

Yes, the chipset is slightly faster and it has Thunderbolt capable of filming LOG straight to an SSD and you can use it for LiDAR, But these are very niche features most users will never use. They might have value to yourself and if so, pay the extra.

But I would recommend buying the base 16 but spending extra on the 256gb model. If you plan on using it for high end gaming, a title like Death Stranding can take up 80gb+ in storage space. The 17 may well be more expensive due to the impending tariff tax (if you're in the USA).

that's the only thing I would go for pro for is the 120 hz because I hear that its a must have in 2025 but none of my phones I have owned have had it so like you say I probably wont even notice if I went for the standard 16, yes currently got 128gb on iPhone XR and that's really getting full now with the games I think last time I checked I had 20gb remaining so was thinking of 256gb .
my only concern is if I go for the standard 16 and then in September the standard 17 is a bigger upgrade with the rumoured 120hz 6.3 inch display and 12gb of ram I might regret my decision to upgrading in may , to be clear I only want to get a upgrade because its my birthday not because of problems with the iPhone XR so don't know what to decide to do its a tricky one

 

[geta]

There are always new products behind the corner… so there is no reason to wait if you need a new phone now, and no matter what you choose, it will be a nice upgrade compared to your XR.

And from all the available phones at the moment, I would choose 16e.

 

[iPod2001]

There are always new products behind the corner… so there is no reason to wait if you need a new phone now, and no matter what you choose, it will be a nice upgrade compared to your XR.

And from all the available phones at the moment, I would choose 16e.

didn't even consider the iPhone 16e as a option , what would I not have on that compared to the iPhone 16 or 16 pro ?

 

[Reverend Benny]

didn't even consider the iPhone 16e as a option , what would I not have on that compared to the iPhone 16 or 16 pro ?

No Magsafe, No Dynamic island, only one camera, Apples own chipset (seems pretty alright tho), no U1/U2 (ultrawideband) chipset, no 5G mmWave support, a more "budget" A18 CPU (one less GPU core).

Sounds like a lot of missing features but tbh, most won't miss them or notice a difference.

 

[geta]

didn't even consider the iPhone 16e as a option , what would I not have on that compared to the iPhone 16 or 16 pro ?

The 16/16 Pro have extra cameras and Magsafe, while the 16e have better battery life. However, the 16e still makes excellent pictures.

 

[Reverend Benny]

that's the only thing I would go for pro for is the 120 hz because I hear that its a must have in 2025 but none of my phones I have owned have had it so like you say I probably wont even notice if I went for the standard 16, yes currently got 128gb on iPhone XR and that's really getting full now with the games I think last time I checked I had 20gb remaining so was thinking of 256gb .
my only concern is if I go for the standard 16 and then in September the standard 17 is a bigger upgrade with the rumoured 120hz 6.3 inch display and 12gb of ram I might regret my decision to upgrading in may , to be clear I only want to get a upgrade because its my birthday not because of problems with the iPhone XR so don't know what to decide to do its a tricky one

@Ctrlos has a good point that since you have an XR today you won't miss the 120hz screen. I would tho cuz i'm used to it but its not a game changer.
Not sure how the whole tariff drama will end, and its prob depends on where you are located.

 

[Ctrlos]

that's the only thing I would go for pro for is the 120 hz because I hear that its a must have in 2025 but none of my phones I have owned have had it so like you say I probably wont even notice if I went for the standard 16, yes currently got 128gb on iPhone XR and that's really getting full now with the games I think last time I checked I had 20gb remaining so was thinking of 256gb .
my only concern is if I go for the standard 16 and then in September the standard 17 is a bigger upgrade with the rumoured 120hz 6.3 inch display and 12gb of ram I might regret my decision to upgrading in may , to be clear I only want to get a upgrade because its my birthday not because of problems with the iPhone XR so don't know what to decide to do its a tricky one

I'd be amazed if the base 17 got anything other than a 120hz display and a minor speed boost. The base 16 is probably the best value iPhone Apple have ever released. Bar the aforementioned differences it has near parity with the Pro model. I'd go for it now.

 

[klasma]

Either get the 16e or wait. Setting tariffs aside for the moment, the 16 should get a price drop when the 17 is launched.

 

[TokyoKiller]

if you can wait it out, then wait. Because once the 17 comes out you can also get great deals on the 16 and 16 pro when they are clearing inventory (generally speaking)

 

[iPod2001]

thanks for all answers , probably thinking I will Maybe wait it out to September ,
16e does sounds a good option but need all the power I can get and loosing a core I think will impact gameplay and would like a second camera on the back as it seems to be more of a upgrade that and I want the Dynamic Island too as the notch looks pretty outdated now when I see the new iPhones in store .

 

[AlixSPQR]

hello I thinking of upgrading my iPhone XR for my birthday in may, however I am stuck deciding which one to go for .
iPhone 16 because of the better colour options or 16 pro for titanium and a extra camera or wait it out to September .
I am going to be paying monthly for 2 years so this why I am struggling to decide as I will be locked in for 2 years and want something to last for at least that amount of time .
especially with the rumours of the standard 17 getting 120 hz do I wait it out or go for the pro 16? or the standard 16 for the colours ?

Stay with your Xr until the 17 release.

 

[cateye]

With no disrespect to everyone advising you to wait, I'll offer a counterpoint: If you want a new phone, get a new phone. I generally upgrade my phones toward the end of the product cycle since that's when it makes sense to me for a host of reasons. Yes, I know something new is coming, but something new is always coming. Better to buy when you have the money to and either need or want a replacement device than constantly chasing unknown new features or capabilities that may not even matter for your use-cases.

I just bought myself a 16 Pro last week (also for my birthday!), upgrading from a 13 Pro. I did it because I wanted something new and it was the right time for me to do so. In the past, I've upgraded as late as July. I am not interested in or motivated by Apple's upgrade cadence. What comes out in September will come out in September. I can't make decisions based on something that doesn't exist yet.

Coming from an XR, any of the models you mention are going to be a huge step up. Only you can decide if the specific features of the Pro lineup matter or not.

 

[iPod2001]

With no disrespect to everyone advising you to wait, I'll offer a counterpoint: If you want a new phone, get a new phone. I generally upgrade by phones toward the end of the product cycle since that's when it makes sense to me for a host of reasons. Yes, I know something new is coming, but something new is always coming. Better to buy when you have the money to and either need or want a replacement device than constantly chasing unknown new features or capabilities that may not even matter for your use-cases.

I just bought myself a 16 Pro last week (also for my birthday!), upgrading from a 13 Pro. I did it because I wanted something new and it was the right time for me to do so. In the past, I've upgraded as late as July. I am not interested in or motivated by Apple's upgrade cadence. What comes out in September will come out in September. I can't make decisions based on something that doesn't exist yet.

Coming from an XR, any of the models you mention are going to be a huge step up. Only you can decide if the specific features of the Pro lineup matter or not.

yeah my birthday is my 25th so a big one that was why I was thinking the 16 pro as it has the needs for me for gaming etc the only reason I was considering the standard 16 is the colours but the 16 pro in white looks amazing .
on waiting for 17 option I am considering it but I am purely making any decision using rumours and leaks not apple official information which wont come to September .
also the thoughts off tariffs effecting prices would make it almost impossible for me to buy when the 17 comes out as for now the 16 is exempt unless he changes his mind which could happen any time between now and September

 

[ayephoner]

With no disrespect to everyone advising you to wait, I'll offer a counterpoint: If you want a new phone, get a new phone. I generally upgrade my phones toward the end of the product cycle since that's when it makes sense to me for a host of reasons. Yes, I know something new is coming, but something new is always coming.

To counter your counterpoint: something new is always coming, but the launch cycle of the iphone is very well known. We are almost exactly halfway between the last and the next iphone launches. The XR is over 6 years old, so OP has had it for a while and would likely have his next phone for a while also.

Also, the deals that apple/carriers offer to trade in or just buy a new phone always seem best right at launch, at least that's been the case for me. I don't know or understand why, but there are great trade deals right at launch.

But you do make valid points and I don't think buying now or waiting is a mistake.

 

[ggibson913]

I am going to buck the trend and recommend the 16 or 16 Pro. Rumors suggest that with the 17, Apple is going to try using their own in house modem again. The first time didn’t work so well, for me anyway. At least with the 16, you will be using proven tech.

 

[ekucukoglu]

16 Pro user here.

I think I’d wait for a regular 17.

No 17 Pro, because of its design. 17 will have a similar design as 16 (that’s a great design I think) and will likely have a 120hz screen.

 

[iPod2001]

I am going to buck the trend and recommend the 16 or 16 Pro. Rumors suggest that with the 17, Apple is going to try using their own in house modem again. The first time didn’t work so well, for me anyway. At least with the 16, you will be using proven tech.

right I see so go for 16 pro ? which if rumours are correct the 16 pro now with the 6.3inch screen and 120hz screen is basically the base 17 this September ?
yes I heard that the new C1 cellular modem wasn't great in certain tests

 

[seanmcbay]

hello I thinking of upgrading my iPhone XR for my birthday in may, however I am stuck deciding which one to go for .
iPhone 16 because of the better colour options or 16 pro for titanium and a extra camera or wait it out to September .
I am going to be paying monthly for 2 years so this why I am struggling to decide as I will be locked in for 2 years and want something to last for at least that amount of time .
especially with the rumours of the standard 17 getting 120 hz do I wait it out or go for the pro 16? or the standard 16 for the colours ?

Might as well wait 5 or so more months for the 17.