The iPhone 16 is launching in September. If you are thinking of upgrading to a new iPhone right now, it’s better to hold on for a little while longer; it will be worth it.
When a friend recently asked for a suggestion about getting an iPhone, I politely advised against it. I meant no offence. This is the worst time to buy an iPhone, whether new or used. Even if you find a great deal on the current iPhone model online or someone is selling a used iPhone at a heavy discount, just don’t get it. Although Apple hasn’t confirmed that a new iPhone is on the way, the company typically holds an event in early September. This means we are almost at the launch of the iPhone 16. You should wait for the next-generation iPhone, even if your current smartphone is unusable or if you’re primarily concerned about the price rather than the latest technology.
First, sell that old iPhone NOW
Whether you are in the market for the soon-to-be-launched iPhone 16 series or eyeing a used iPhone, the first thing to do is sell your existing iPhone, assuming you are already an iPhone user. Your old iPhone may fetch a higher price now than it will after the launch of the new iPhone. There is a good chance of getting more money for it right now, especially if it is in mint condition. However, once the new iPhone is launched next month, the resale value of your existing iPhone is likely to decrease, which is typical in the smartphone market. Be sure to maximise the timing and make the most of it when you sell your iPhone.
Prices will drop on older models
Once the iPhone 16 series hits the market in a few weeks and comes at a premium price, Apple typically adjusts the prices of older models and passes the benefit on to consumers. I know people who really don’t care about the iPhone 16 but are interested in getting the iPhone 15 or iPhone 14. Trust me, sometime in late September, big retailers will start dropping the prices of the iPhone 15 and iPhone 14 series. You can save a lot of money if you buy an older-generation iPhone next month. Moreover, if you can hold off on the purchase until Diwali, you might see the biggest price drop on the iPhone 15 and iPhone 14.
The iPhone 16 is around the corner
But then, there are people who are eager to pay a premium to get the new iPhone on day one. I have seen these people up close; they are the ones who pre-order the device minutes after the launch event and would rather stand in line to receive their new iPhone. This year, I have a sense that there are plenty of reasons to upgrade to the new iPhones. There will be four models in the new series: iPhone 16, iPhone 16 Plus, iPhone 16 Pro, and iPhone 16 Pro Max. I believe all the new iPhone models will go on sale on the same day, which I assume will be Friday, September 20, the week after the launch.
There will be two sizes, as is typical for the iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Pro, though the latter is expected to feature marginally larger screens. Meanwhile, the iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Plus may have rearranged lenses. The stacking of the two lenses vertically will enable spatial video recording for the Vision Pro headset, similar to the high-end iPhone 16 Pro and Pro Max. Expect a new capture button on the iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Pro devices, complementing the programmable action button that debuted on last year’s iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max.
Both Pro models may come with 5X optical zoom cameras. Aside from these improvements, all four models will see the usual upgrades in speed, brighter screens, and better battery life. I’d be surprised if Apple increases the prices of the new iPhone 16 series.
Apple Intelligence will be the big selling point for newer iPhones
At the Worldwide Developers Conference earlier this year, which I attended at Apple Park in June, Cupertino gave a first look at Apple Intelligence, a suite of new AI features trained on massive datasets. I have been using the developer beta version of iOS 18.1 for weeks, and you can read my first impressions of Apple Intelligence, which is scheduled to be rolled out to select iPhones, iPads, and Macs later this year. No matter what Apple says, Apple Intelligence is Cupertino’s secret AI strategy to upgrade iPhones. Given that Apple is limiting its new artificial intelligence features to the latest iPhones (the iPhone 15 Pro and Pro Max will be compatible, thankfully, but only these models support AI from previous generation), it is clear that Apple Intelligence will be a major selling point for the next iPhone 16 series.
Apple’s approach may seem selective at first, but it makes sense; after all, the hardware is needed to run AI models and support on-device AI. For Apple, though, it is also a golden opportunity and the best chance to get you to upgrade to newer iPhones. I have tried Apple Intelligence features on my iPhone 15 Pro, and I can say that while the AI does a fine job of rewriting emails and changing the tone of messages, and Siri gets a major boost, the features are still very basic. Sure, they are not groundbreaking in any form, but Apple’s AI approach is indeed different and works better than others.
Although Apple is targeting the rollout of Apple Intelligence later this year, as noted by Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman in his latest Power On newsletter, it looks like the AI features won’t be ready around the time Apple launches the iPhone 16 series. My guess is that Apple will debut Apple Intelligence in October, with the rollout beginning in the US for the iPhone 16 and iPhone 15 Pro/Max (users will need to upgrade their devices to iOS 18.1 to use Apple Intelligence). Indian consumers may have to wait a bit longer, likely at least 3-4 months after the US launch of Apple Intelligence.
