Should You Buy an iPhone 16 or Wait for the iPhone 17?

I popped into the Verizon retailer the opposite day and noticed a startling variety of folks shopping for a brand new iPhone 16. It took every thing in me to not chime in with, “Are you positive you do not need to wait and see what Apple has deliberate for the iPhone 17?” With the anticipated launch of the iPhone 17 in September, it could possibly be a good suggestion to hold tight and both purchase the brand new telephone or get the iPhone 16 at a reduced value. Apple nonetheless hasn’t confirmed the existence of the iPhone 17, and we haven’t any official specs or options, however this is the way it may examine to the iPhone 16, in response to rumors and hypothesis. iPhone 16 vs. iPhone 17: Key rumored specs in contrast We nonetheless haven’t any confirmed particulars in regards to the iPhone 17 however that hasn’t stopped the rumor mill from churning and purported leaks from making the rounds. Hypothesis extends throughout the complete iPhone 17 lineup, from the Professional fashions to what could possibly be a thinner “Air” model (which can be Apple’s reply to the Samsung Galaxy S25 Edge). However I will give attention to the baseline iPhone 17.  Display differencesOne of probably the most extremely anticipated adjustments could possibly be that the iPhone 17 provides a 120Hz show, which might be very welcome. Presently, solely the iPhone Professional fashions have that increased refresh price, whereas the baseline and Plus fashions are caught with a 60Hz show. Bumping that refresh price may additionally immediate Apple to deliver the always-on show to the baseline mannequin, making it simpler to shortly look on the time and your notifications with out waking your show.  There’s been some back-and-forth on whether or not the iPhone 17 could have a scratch-resistant, antireflective show. However the newest stories counsel that characteristic will solely be obtainable on the iPhone 17 Professional and Professional Max, not the baseline iPhone 17 (or the Air). So there will not be main discrepancies between the iPhone 16 and 17 on that entrance. Digicam differencesIt’s potential the iPhone 17’s selfie digital camera will get a bump to 24 megapixels, as a substitute of the present 12 megapixels discovered within the iPhone 16’s front-facing shooter. Megapixels aren’t the one figuring out issue for good-quality images however whether it is an improve, that might make taking selfies or capturing movies for social media on the front-facing digital camera much less of a compromise. There’s additionally been some dialog in regards to the digital camera bump on Apple’s upcoming iPhone lineup. It is doubtless that solely the Professional fashions’ cameras can be nestled in a brand new, bigger panel that stretches horizontally throughout the again of the telephone (maybe evoking the “Geordi Visor” on the Google Pixel 9) and that the baseline will preserve an identical digital camera association to the iPhone 16. Solely time will inform. Design differencesRumors counsel that just like the iPhone 16, the iPhone 17 could have an aluminum body. (In actual fact, it is potential that’ll be the case for the complete lineup, other than the iPhone 17 Air, which may have a titanium body to make it lighter.)There have additionally been stories that the iPhone 17 will use a brand new compact “metalens” know-how for the proximity sensor, which may scale back the scale of the Face ID sensor and the Dynamic Island. That might give barely extra actual property to the highest of the 17’s show. Processor and RAMOne key factor that might stay unchanged throughout each telephones is the processor. The iPhone 17 is rumored to pack an A18 chip, identical to the iPhone 16. With Apple’s plans to develop its Apple Intelligence suite of AI capabilities, it is potential the iPhone 17 lineup may include 12GB of RAM as a substitute of the present 8GB — or at the very least a part of it may.In April, analyst Ming-Chi Kuo mentioned the iPhone 17 Air and Professional fashions would sport 12GB of RAM however that Apple was nonetheless deciding whether or not to equip the baseline mannequin with that increased quantity too. In Might, analyst Jeff Pu famous the baseline would stay at 8GB. We’ll have to attend to see what Apple finally decides. Talking of Apple Intelligence, a brand new AI-powered Adaptive Energy characteristic arriving with iOS 26 can assist preserve the battery by making “small efficiency changes,” like “permitting some actions to take somewhat longer,” in response to Apple. The subsequent iPhone is predicted to reach with the upcoming working system onboard however you will additionally be capable to obtain iOS 26 on the iPhone 16, in addition to some older iPhones, as soon as it turns into obtainable publicly. That ought to assist to stretch your battery life on both system.Shade optionsWhat’s on the within could also be most necessary however folks additionally need to know what enjoyable colours the iPhone 17 may sport. Rumors counsel the upcoming system may are available black, blue, silver, purple and inexperienced. For comparability, the iPhone 16 is accessible in black, white, pink, teal and ultramarine.Every part we expect we all know in regards to the iPhone 17 continues to be simply hypothesis so we’ll must see what Apple unveils this fall. Must you purchase an iPhone 16 now or look ahead to the iPhone 17?In case you’re in determined want of a brand new telephone and may’t wait any longer, who am I to cease you? However if you happen to can grasp tight till September, when Apple is predicted to announce the iPhone 17, you’ll be able to both rating the flashy new system or get a reduction on the iPhone 16. (In earlier years, the corporate dropped the value on older fashions by about $100.)It is doubtless the adjustments between the iPhone 16 and 17 can be comparatively modest. Apple tends to debut newer options on its Professional fashions earlier than ultimately rolling them out throughout the total lineup, prefer it did with the Dynamic Island on the iPhone 14 Professional and Professional Max and the Motion button on the iPhone 15 Professional and Professional Max. So any shiny new capabilities will doubtless land on its extra premium telephones first, such because the rumored antireflective show and redesigned cameras on the iPhone 17 Professional fashions. However maybe the largest adjustments may arrive subsequent yr with the twentieth anniversary of the iPhone, for which Apple is reportedly “making ready a significant shake-up” of the telephone’s design, in response to Bloomberg. That features a (long-rumored) foldable model and a “daring new Professional mannequin that makes extra in depth use of glass.” The iPhone 17 could not even be introduced but but it surely’s by no means too early to be trying even additional forward.