In case you’re seeking to purchase a brand new iPhone proper now, you have got two foremost selections: Purchase an iPhone 16 proper now, or wait just a little longer and get Apple’s subsequent model, which is predicted to make its debut in only a few weeks. What is the higher route?
With the anticipated launch of the iPhone 17 in September, it may very well be a good suggestion to hold tight and both purchase the brand new cellphone 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 evaluate to the iPhone 16, in keeping with 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 may very well be a thinner “Air” model (which can be Apple’s reply to the Samsung Galaxy S25 Edge). However I’ll give attention to the baseline iPhone 17.
Display variations
Some of the extremely anticipated adjustments may very well be that the iPhone 17 provides a 120Hz show, which might be very welcome. Presently, solely the iPhone Professional fashions have that increased refresh charge, whereas the baseline and Plus fashions are caught with a 60Hz show. Bumping that refresh charge may additionally immediate Apple to deliver the always-on show to the baseline mannequin, making it simpler to rapidly 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 can have a scratch-resistant, antireflective show. However the latest reviews counsel that characteristic will solely be accessible on the iPhone 17 Professional and Professional Max, not the baseline iPhone 17 (or the Air). So there might not be main discrepancies between the iPhone 16 and 17 on that entrance.
Digicam variations
It is doable the iPhone 17’s selfie digital camera will get a bump to 24 megapixels, as an alternative 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 would 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 possible that solely the Professional fashions’ cameras will probably be nestled in a brand new, bigger panel that stretches horizontally throughout the again of the cellphone (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 variations
Rumors counsel that just like the iPhone 16, the iPhone 17 can have an aluminum body. (In reality, it is doable that’ll be the case for the complete lineup, aside from the iPhone 17 Air, which may have a titanium body to make it lighter.)
There have additionally been reviews that the iPhone 17 will use a brand new compact “metalens” know-how for the proximity sensor, which may cut 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 RAM
One key factor that would 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 increase its Apple Intelligence suite of AI capabilities, it is doable the iPhone 17 lineup may include 12GB of RAM as an alternative of the present 8GB — or no less than 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 in the end decides.
Talking of Apple Intelligence, a brand new AI-powered Adaptive Energy characteristic arriving with iOS 26 will help preserve the battery by making “small efficiency changes,” like “permitting some actions to take just a little longer,” in keeping with Apple. The subsequent iPhone is predicted to reach with the upcoming working system onboard however you will additionally be capable of obtain iOS 26 on the iPhone 16, in addition to some older iPhones, as soon as it turns into accessible publicly. That ought to assist to stretch your battery life on both system.
Shade choices
What’s on the within could also be most vital however individuals additionally need to know what enjoyable colours the iPhone 17 may sport. Rumors counsel the upcoming system may are available in black, blue, silver, purple and inexperienced.
For comparability, the iPhone 16 is on the market in black, white, pink, teal and ultramarine.
Every little thing we predict we all know in regards to the iPhone 17 remains to be simply hypothesis so we’ll should see what Apple unveils this fall.
Do you have to purchase an iPhone 16 now or look forward to the iPhone 17?
In case you’re in determined want of a brand new cellphone and might’t wait any longer, who am I to cease you? However should you can cling 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 possible the adjustments between the iPhone 16 and 17 will probably 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 possible 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 most important adjustments may arrive subsequent yr with the twentieth anniversary of the iPhone, for which Apple is reportedly “making ready a serious shake-up” of the cellphone’s design, in keeping with 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 might not even be introduced but however it’s by no means too early to be wanting even additional forward.
