Every year, deciding which iPhone to buy gets harder. Do you choose the standard iPhone? Do you spend the money for the latest and greatest Pro model, which could take two years to fully pay off? Or should you just buy a slightly older used or refurbished model to get the best deal? And of course, there’s always the safest bet: save your money and keep your existing phone for as long as possible.
After a day of sitting through Apple’s announcements, one thing has become clear: The simple $799 iPhone 16 is a pretty great deal, at least compared to the basic iPhones of the last few years. It actually has a new processor, Apple’s A18, rather than reusing an older chip. It brings the action buttons from the iPhone 15 Pro and also has Apple’s new camera button. The iPhone 16 is also relatively future-proof because it supports Apple Intelligence, which doesn’t work on the non-Pro iPhone 15 and older models.
While the $999 iPhone 16 Pro has an extra camera and supports more powerful photography and filmmaking features, the line between that device and the standard iPhone 16 is blurrier than ever.
It certainly makes more sense to invest in the iPhone 16 today than it does to invest in the poor, beleaguered iPhone SE. That device has an older A15 chip, the same small 4.7-inch screen as before, and still costs $429, just as it did in 2022. It’s rumored we’ll see a new iPhone SE sometime next year, but the current model is a terrible option in Apple’s current lineup.
If you don’t care about Apple intelligence and want to replace an older device, you can currently find a refurbished iPhone 15 for between $500 and $600 on Amazon and elsewhere. But really, if you’re willing to spend that much money for a used device with a limited warranty, it might make more sense to get the iPhone 16 and pay it off over time through your carrier. Trade-in deals can also bring down the price of a new phone significantly. For example, Verizon is currently offering $800 off the Pixel 9 or iPhone 15 when you trade in an old device.
Obviously, all of the above advice only applies if you need to replace a trashed iPhone, or you’re just excited to play with Apple intelligence. Given the latest rumors, we could see an ultra-thin iPhone model (similar to the latest iPad Pro) next year, so it would be wise to keep your current device. And don’t forget that Apple’s AI features won’t be available immediately at launch — you’ll have to wait until the October update for the first batch of features, and Siri won’t get all of her new smart features until the first half of 2025.