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Should You Buy an iPhone 17 Now or Wait for iPhone 18?

I’m wondering whether owners of the 17 or the Air will be able to trade in their devices for a new model once September rolls around. So far, trade-ins have only been available for devices that receive an update, so if these models aren’t updated, I’d assume they wouldn’t be eligible which seems so weird.
 
andiwm2003 said:
If you are buying a non pro then I assume money is a parameter in the decision and then I would consider buying the 17 now or even a 15 or 16. There is not much relevant improvement in the non pro line. The only thing that matters are improvements in the camera of the pro line and maybe the satellite connectivity, and even that only matters if you want or need those features. Aside of that the phones are good enough for everything anyway. The screen quality is sufficient too. Buying the 18 only makes sense if you won't miss the money you throw out. Same is true for the 18pro.
My strategy is usually to keep my phone for at least 5 years because the improvements are really not worth it to upgrade every year or two. After 5-6 years you get a completely new experience because camera and processor and other features (satellite connectivity) have improved a lot. PI usually go for the pro line because of the three camera lenses (wide, regular, zoom). And even then I'm considering a 17pro instead of the 18pro as I don't want to spend more than 200 dollar per year on a phone or 1000 dollar every 5 years.
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I’d disagree with this. Not being able to afford a Pro us not the main reason for going for a base phone over the Pro.

With the 17 iPhones, the reason for not going fir the Pro is simply not needing the more complex camera array, and not wanting a massive camera bump.

It comes down to use-cases, not price.
 
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Ethrem said:
Don't forget the rumor about Apple dropping the 120hz display back to 60hz for the 18 to push sales of Pro models up again.
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Yeah, this is along the lines of “what if it rains frogs tomorrow”?

It’s possible, but until the phone is actually announced, this is not worth fretting about, as this is highly unlikely.
 
victorComacho said:
And why do you need more ram for your phone? What tasks are you performing that require more memory?
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But, but, but…. Number must go up!

Realistically, this is just a ford the tiny minority of iPhone users who know or care about much memory an iPhone has. Spec junkies.
 
Based on some recent readings, both Apple and Google will have more on-device AI models which are more memory intensive, hence people are saying more ram is good.
 
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Surgicalshark said:
Based on some recent readings, both Apple and Google will have more on-device AI models which are more memory intensive, hence people are saying more ram is good.
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Maybe they will. They probably will. But that doesn't necessarily translate into more use-cases for the user. Like the more advanced camera array on the pro vs base iPhones, this is only a selling point if it translates to practical use cases for a particular user.

There's a strong element of "supercars" / "off road vehicles" being used to drive around town to this - people buying items well beyond their needs purely because they are told these features are desirable.

Given the high costs of memory these days, cheering on increases in memory specs seems to be simply cheering for companies to charge more for their products.

Optimising devices to run more efficiently on lower-specced hardware, and so maintaining price points, rather than in in increasing them, would be a more effective play than adding more features and functionality, and so costs, especially when we're in the area of "might to this, might be useful" speculative territory.
 
I think if you’re on a 17 I would probably argue against the upgrade to the 18 if you’re at all budget oriented.

I think if you’re on a standard phone and were looking to go to a pro or a pro max this might be a good time to make that move. From say a 14 or 15 iPhone to the 17P or PM. You’ll get the max value for your move now and get a substantial upgrade (3 versions and move to a pro). The difference from a iPhone 14 to a 17PM is substantial and making that move both at the end of a product cycle before potential price increases with carriers offering attractive trade in or upgrade offers right now would see a substantial increase in capability for a minimum of outlay.

I’m running a 16 PM ON VZW. I’m usually an every year upgrade guy but skipped last year for reasons. My 16 is a decent phone but to be honest my biggest complaint is it runs hot a LOT. If you try to do 2 things like run Apple Music and Waze at the same time it’s charging in an AC’ed car and not in the sun in the summer it overheats and stops charging. Even if I take it out of the simple case I have it in. It just gets too hot.

So this isn’t my “excuse” to upgrade. One of the reasons I skipped last year was I bought a new MBP and after laying out for a new giant 16” laptop it was hard to justify getting a new phone too. I also missed the pre order due to health issues and well, it all piled up and by the time the pre order rush died down it was December.

I’m pre ordering this year regardless. Probably gonna get that prune colored jawn if the color rumors are true just to say “look at me I have the new phone”. I’m at the point with my VZW upgrade cycle where I’ll just end up paying the activation fee and whatever price increase comes will bake into my current bill for about $6/month. Heck, I blow $11/day at DD every morning for me and the wife so $5/mo AINT gonna kill me. I skip 1 macchiato a month and it’s done.
 
If youre on the lookout for a new phone youd be bonkers imho to buy one now. Wait a little, get a better one. Common sense.

I upgrade every 6 or so years and im pleased i waited for the 16e. Much better than the earlier model.
 
davitur said:
If you were in the market for a phone today or soon, I would seriously look at anything with more than 8GB of system ram. Apple is clearly signaling that 8GB is not enough going forward (AI or not) with moving the base models to 9GB. If you are going to upgrade your phone every 2-3 years, then yes the base iPhone 17 is likely the sweet spot right now.

On the other hand, if you are the person who holds on to devices for up to 5 years (or more), then a lack of RAM is what is going to drive you crazy with future OS updates.
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Since the last iOS26 update my apps reload more often. Seems like they’re implementing more ram usage already
 
I am staying with my usual plan of upgrading my Pro Max every two years. Enough of a feature difference, and still in a relatively sweet spot for trade-in value.
 
Daniel Alvarez Arribas said:
3D Touch is one example. Introduced with iPhone 6s, then removed on iPhone XR and later models and replaced with a funcionally inferior software solution.
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Yep. The OS still relies heavily on the functionality too so you're slowed down trying to navigate compared older models. It was such a downgrade although I'm used to it now.
 
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mitty said:
Never buy the new model. Always buy last years model (at least). Make it last 4 or even 5 years if you can.
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If I buy last years model then it is going to go out of support a year earlier. As I always run mine until it stops being supported I will get one less year out of it.
 
To those saying “always get the new one,” that doesn’t always make sense. If you just use the bare bones of the phone, then 8GB should be fine. I’m on a 17e and figure I’m using it till at least 2030. Heck, my Mac SE only has 4MB (and I use it every day as a writing machine). What you do with the device is what should drive the hardware needed, not the bloat Apple is adding to the OS. If people can get by with a 17, it will likely cost less.
 
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MacRumors said:


For the first time since Apple started selling standard and "Pro" iPhones, we're not going to get an entry-level iPhone model this fall. Apple doesn't plan to release an iPhone 18 in September, and will only launch the iPhone 18 Pro, iPhone 18 Pro Max, and foldable iPhone Ultra. The lower-cost iPhone 18 won't come out until spring 2027.


With prices rumored to be going up in the fall, does it make sense to buy an iPhone 17 now, or wait for the iPhone 18?

Price Increases

Apple raised the prices of Macs and iPads in June, but iPhones remain untouched so far. We're expecting the iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max to be $100 to $300 more expensive, and the iPhone 18 could also be pricier.

TrendForce suggests Apple could charge more for the iPhone 17 when it introduces new iPhone 18 Pro models, with price increases hitting even existing iPhone models. If that's the case, there won't be a monetary benefit to waiting to buy a prior-generation iPhone like there usually is. Depending on how much prices go up, you could save some cash if you buy now, especially if you're buying outright. Pricing on the iPhone 17 starts at $799.

With a payment plan, you'll still save money, but a few dollars per month over a 12-month to 24-month period won't hit as hard.

Trade-Ins

If you're planning to trade in an older iPhone, it'll be worth more now than it will be when the iPhone 18 Pro models come out. Trade-in prices for older iPhones drop with every new iPhone launch.

Quality Might Go Down

From what we've heard of iPhone 18 rumors, Apple could be implementing cost-cutting measures that drop quality in some areas. Apple might use a cheaper screen that's not as bright, and lower-quality A20 chips with fewer GPU cores. Apple is said to be using components from the low-cost iPhone 18e for the iPhone 18, narrowing the gap between the two devices. If that's the case, it won't be as good a value as the iPhone 17 because it will share fewer features with Apple's more expensive iPhones.

iOS 27 Features

There are mixed rumors about the iPhone 18's RAM situation. Two rumors say it will get 12GB, but analyst Ming-Chi Kuo says Apple is only going to up it to 9GB. With 9GB RAM, the iPhone 18 won't support the iOS 27 Siri voice customization and dictation features, which require 12GB RAM. The iPhone 17 doesn't have 12GB RAM and doesn't get those features either, so there is no iOS 27 benefit to waiting unless Apple opts for 12GB RAM.

iPhone 18 Upgrades

The iPhone 18 is on hold until spring 2027, but we've still heard rumors about what to expect. Some of these features might be worth holding out for, depending on what you want in an iPhone.
  • A20 chip - The A20 chip will be built on Apple's 2nm process, likely bringing CPU speed and efficiency improvements.
  • RAM - The iPhone 17 has 8GB RAM, and the iPhone 18 is rumored to get either 9GB or 12GB. 9GB isn't much of an increase, and it won't support the Siri Expressive Voices or dictation improvements in iOS 27, but 12GB would.
  • Front camera - There could be a 24-megapixel selfie cam instead of an 18-megapixel camera, but that's still up in the air.
  • Smaller Dynamic Island - The iPhone 18 is rumored to be getting the same smaller Dynamic Island Apple is bringing to the iPhone 18 Pro models.
  • Modem - Apple will likely use its C2 modem in the iPhone 18 for faster, more reliable connectivity.
The iPhone 17 Is Still Good

The iPhone 17 is the iPhone that we recommend for most people in our 2026 iPhone Buyer's Guide. It has the best mix of premium features, performance, and price, with only a handful of features reserved for the iPhone 17 Pro models.

It has the same 120Hz ProMotion refresh rate and Always-On display, the same Wide and Ultra Wide cameras, a chip that's not too much slower, and the same size display as the iPhone 17 Pro. It lacks a Telephoto camera, has less RAM, uses a less durable chassis, and has a smaller battery, but that's about it.

If you're coming from an older iPhone like the iPhone 13, iPhone 14, or iPhone 15, the iPhone 17 is going to be a major upgrade, and there's little reason to wait if you don't care about the features rumored for the iPhone 18. Cost and timing are the two main reasons you might want to buy now instead of waiting.

We don't know what iPhone 17 and iPhone 18 pricing will look like in spring 2027, and roughly six months is a long additional wait if you were expecting to get a new phone in September.

Article Link: Should You Buy an iPhone 17 Now or Wait for iPhone 18?
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No, Dan, you should simply buy a new iPhone when your current one dies.
 
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svish said:
Base 18 (or even the 18 Pro) will be an incremental update only. Base 18 is not going to be released for another 6 months. Price could be higher. The base 17 is an excellent iPhone and will last for many years. Cannot go wrong in purchasing one.
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The handset is great, can’t say the same about the software. Too many annoyances & too restrictive
 
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