For the primary time since Apple began promoting customary and “Professional” iPhones, we’re not going to get an entry-level iPhone mannequin this fall. Apple would not plan to launch an iPhone 18 in September, and can solely launch the iPhone 18 Pro, iPhone 18 Professional Max, and foldable iPhone Ultra. The lower-cost iPhone 18 will not come out till spring 2027.
With costs rumored to be going up within the fall, does it make sense to purchase an iPhone 17 now, or look forward to the iPhone 18?
Worth Will increase
Apple raised the prices of Macs and iPads in June, however iPhones stay untouched to date. We’re anticipating the iPhone 18 Professional and Professional Max to be $100 to $300 costlier, and the iPhone 18 is also pricier.
TrendForce suggests Apple could charge more for the iPhone 17 when it introduces new iPhone 18 Professional fashions, with worth will increase hitting even present iPhone fashions. If that is the case, there will not be a financial profit to ready to purchase a prior-generation iPhone like there normally is. Relying on how a lot costs go up, you may avoid wasting money for those who purchase now, particularly for those who’re shopping for outright. Pricing on the iPhone 17 begins at $799.
With a cost plan, you may nonetheless lower your expenses, however a number of {dollars} per 30 days over a 12-month to 24-month interval will not hit as onerous.
Commerce-Ins
If you happen to’re planning to commerce in an older iPhone, it will be value extra now than will probably be when the iPhone 18 Professional fashions come out. Commerce-in costs for older iPhones drop with each new iPhone launch.
High quality Would possibly Go Down
From what we have heard of iPhone 18 rumors, Apple could possibly be implementing cost-cutting measures that drop high quality in some areas. Apple may use a cheaper screen that is not as shiny, and lower-quality A20 chips with fewer GPU cores. Apple is alleged to be utilizing elements from the low-cost iPhone 18e for the iPhone 18, narrowing the hole between the 2 units. If that is the case, it will not be pretty much as good a worth because the iPhone 17 as a result of it’ll share fewer options with Apple’s costlier iPhones.
iOS 27 Options
There are blended rumors in regards to the iPhone 18’s RAM state of affairs. Two rumors say it’ll get 12GB, however analyst Ming-Chi Kuo says Apple is just going to up it to 9GB. With 9GB RAM, the iPhone 18 will not help the iOS 27 Siri voice customization and dictation options, which require 12GB RAM. The iPhone 17 would not have 12GB RAM and would not get these options both, so there isn’t any iOS 27 profit to ready except Apple opts for 12GB RAM.
iPhone 18 Upgrades
The iPhone 18 is on maintain till spring 2027, however we have nonetheless heard rumors about what to anticipate. A few of these options may be value holding out for, relying on what you need in an iPhone.
- A20 chip – The A20 chip might be constructed on Apple’s 2nm course of, doubtless bringing CPU velocity and effectivity enhancements.
- RAM – The iPhone 17 has 8GB RAM, and the iPhone 18 is rumored to get both 9GB or 12GB. 9GB is not a lot of a rise, and it will not help the Siri Expressive Voices or dictation enhancements in iOS 27, however 12GB would.
- Entrance digicam – There could possibly be a 24-megapixel selfie cam as an alternative of an 18-megapixel digicam, however that is nonetheless up within the air.
- Smaller Dynamic Island – The iPhone 18 is rumored to be getting the identical smaller Dynamic Island Apple is bringing to the iPhone 18 Professional fashions.
- Modem – Apple will doubtless use its C2 modem within the iPhone 18 for quicker, extra dependable connectivity.
The iPhone 17 Is Nonetheless Good
The iPhone 17 is the iPhone that we suggest for most individuals in our 2026 iPhone Buyer’s Guide. It has the perfect mixture of premium options, efficiency, and worth, with solely a handful of options reserved for the iPhone 17 Pro fashions.
It has the identical 120Hz ProMotion refresh price and All the time-On show, the identical Broad and Extremely Broad cameras, a chip that is not an excessive amount of slower, and the identical measurement show because the iPhone 17 Professional. It lacks a Telephoto digicam, has much less RAM, makes use of a much less sturdy chassis, and has a smaller battery, however that is about it.
If you happen to’re coming from an older iPhone just like the iPhone 13, iPhone 14, or iPhone 15, the iPhone 17 goes to be a serious improve, and there is little cause to attend for those who do not care in regards to the options rumored for the iPhone 18. Price and timing are the 2 fundamental causes you may need to purchase now as an alternative of ready.
We do not know what iPhone 17 and iPhone 18 pricing will seem like in spring 2027, and roughly six months is an extended extra wait for those who had been anticipating to get a brand new telephone in September.
