For the first time since Apple started selling standard and “Pro” iPhones, we won’t have an entry-level iPhone model this fall. Apple does not plan to release an iPhone 18 in September and will only release the iPhone 18 Pro, iPhone 18 Pro Max, and foldable iPhone Ultra. The cheaper iPhone 18 won’t be released until spring 2027.
With rumors of prices increasing 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 unchanged so far. We expect the iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max to be $100 to $300 more expensive, and the iPhone 18 could be more expensive as well.
TrendForce suggests that Apple could charge more for the iPhone 17 when it introduces new iPhone 18 Pro models, with price increases even affecting existing iPhone models. If this is the case, there will be no monetary advantage in waiting to purchase a previous generation iPhone as is usually the case. Depending on how much prices increase, you could save money if you buy now, especially if you buy direct. Pricing for the iPhone 17 starts at $799.
With a payment plan, you’ll still save money, but a few dollars a month over a 12-24 month period won’t be as hard.
Exchanges
If you’re considering trading in an older iPhone, its value will be higher now than when the iPhone 18 Pro models come out. Trade-in prices for old iPhones drop with each launch of a new iPhone.
Quality could drop
Based on what we’ve heard about the iPhone 18 rumors, Apple may be implementing cost-cutting measures that would reduce quality in certain areas. Apple could use a cheaper, less bright display, as well as lower quality A20 chips with fewer GPU cores. Apple is reportedly using components from the low-cost iPhone 18e for the iPhone 18, narrowing the gap between the two devices. If so, it won’t be as good value for money as the iPhone 17, as it will share fewer features with Apple’s more expensive iPhones.
iOS 27 Features
There are mixed rumors about the iPhone 18 RAM situation. Two rumors say it will get 12GB, but analyst Ming-Chi Kuo says Apple will only increase it to 9GB. With 9GB of RAM, the iPhone 18 won’t support the iOS 27 Siri voice customization and dictation features, which require 12GB of RAM. The iPhone 17 doesn’t have 12GB of RAM nor does it benefit from these features, so there’s no iOS 27 benefit to expect unless Apple goes with 12GB of 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 may be worth considering, depending on what you’re looking for in an iPhone.
- A20 chip – The A20 chip will be built on Apple’s 2nm process, likely bringing improvements in processor speed and efficiency.
- RAM – The iPhone 17 has 8GB of RAM, and the iPhone 18 would have 9GB or 12GB. 9GB isn’t a big increase, and they won’t support expressive Siri voices or dictation improvements in iOS 27, but 12GB would.
- Front camera – There might be a 24-megapixel selfie camera instead of an 18-megapixel camera, but that’s still up in the air.
- Smaller dynamic island – The iPhone 18 is rumored to receive the same smaller Dynamic Island that Apple is bringing to the iPhone 18 Pro models.
- Modem – Apple will likely use its C2 modem in the iPhone 18 for faster and more reliable connectivity.
The iPhone 17 is still good
The iPhone 17 is the iPhone we recommend to most people in our 2026 iPhone Buying Guide. It offers the best combination 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 ultrawide cameras, a chip that’s not too much slower, and the same screen size as the iPhone 17 Pro. It lacks a telephoto lens, has less RAM, uses a less durable chassis, and has a smaller battery, but that’s it.
If you’re coming from an older iPhone like the iPhone 13, iPhone 14, or iPhone 15, the iPhone 17 will be a major upgrade, and there’s no 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 may want to buy now instead of waiting.
We don’t know what prices for the iPhone 17 and iPhone 18 will look like in spring 2027, and around six months is a long extra wait if you were expecting to get a new phone in September.
