Apple is set to unveil the iPhone 18 Pro next month. Should you buy an iPhone now or wait for the iPhone 18 Pro? This year, my advice is a bit different. Here’s why.
Usually, my advice this time of year is to hold off and wait to see what the impending new iPhone update brings — unless your phone is literally broken and you need something right away.
This year, however, my advice is different. All signs point to the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max being more expensive. The extent of the price increases remains to be seen, but rumors say the base prices for each phone could increase by between $200 and $300.
Because of this price increase, my advice this year is to buy an iPhone 17 Pro right now if you’re in the market. I don’t think the iPhone 18 Pro will offer big enough changes for most people to wait and spend an extra $200 to $300.
This advice is especially applicable if you’re upgrading from a phone that is more than a couple of years old. The iPhone 17 Pro will be a major upgrade if you fall into that category.
Another thing to remember is that Apple will discontinue the iPhone 17 Pro when it announces the iPhone 18 Pro next month. While you might be able to find it from third-party retailers, it probably won’t be much cheaper than it is right now (if at all).
Finally, in terms of future-proofing, the iPhone 18 Pro is rumored to feature the same 12GB of RAM as the iPhone 17 Pro. This means it will be supported by iOS and get new AI features for many years to come.
The iPhone 18 Pro isn’t expected to be a major update compared to the iPhone 17 Pro. Some of the highlights of iPhone 18 Pro rumors include:
Of course, Apple likely has more planned for the iPhone 18 Pro than what’s been rumored so far. Still, I think it makes sense for most people to buy the iPhone 17 Pro now and save $200-$300 rather than to wait for the iPhone 18 Pro.
One late-breaking rumor suggests Apple might raise iPhone 17 prices next week. If that pans out, my advice might change. But as long as current prices hold steady, then I think my advice stands.
Ultimately, I think people should buy a new phone when they need one. There’s no need to rush to buy an iPhone 17 Pro right now if you don’t need one.
What do you think? Should people buy an iPhone 17 Pro now to save some money, or wait for the iPhone 18 Pro? Do the rumored new features justify a higher price? Let us know down in the comments.
Follow Chance: Threads, Bluesky, Instagram, and Mastodon.
FTC: We use income earning auto affiliate links. More.
Check out 9to5Mac on YouTube for more Apple news:
Introduced in 2007 by Steve Jobs, iPhone is Appl…
Chance is the editor-in-chief of 9to5Mac, overseeing the entire site’s operations. He also hosts the 9to5Mac Daily and 9to5Mac Happy Hour podcasts.
You can send tips, questions, and typos to chance@9to5mac.com.
