So you are able to buy your subsequent iPhone. You can take one among two routes: Buy an iPhone 16 proper now, or wait slightly longer and get Apple’s subsequent model, which is anticipated to make its debut in simply over a month. What’s the higher selection?With the anticipated launch of the iPhone 17 in September, it may very well be a good suggestion to hold tight and both buy 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 might examine 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. Speculation extends throughout the whole iPhone 17 lineup, from the Pro fashions to what may very well be a thinner “Air” model (which can be Apple’s reply to the Samsung Galaxy S25 Edge). But I’m going to give attention to the baseline iPhone 17. Screen differencesOne of probably the most extremely anticipated modifications may very well be that the iPhone 17 provides a 120Hz show, which might be very welcome. Currently, solely the iPhone Pro fashions have that greater refresh charge, whereas the baseline and Plus fashions are caught with a 60Hz show. Bumping that refresh charge might additionally immediate Apple to convey the always-on show to the baseline mannequin, making it simpler to shortly 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 could have a scratch-resistant, antireflective show. But the latest reviews recommend that function will solely be out there on the iPhone 17 Pro and Pro Max, not the baseline iPhone 17 (or the Air). So there will not be main discrepancies between the iPhone 16 and 17 on that entrance. Camera variationsIt’s doable the iPhone 17’s selfie digicam 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 photographs, however whether it is an improve, that might make taking selfies or capturing movies for social media on the front-facing digicam much less of a compromise. There’s additionally been some dialog in regards to the digicam bump on Apple’s upcoming iPhone lineup. It’s probably that solely the Pro fashions’ cameras will likely 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 keep an identical digicam association to the iPhone 16. Only time will inform. Design variationsRumors recommend that just like the iPhone 16, the iPhone 17 could have an aluminum body. (In truth, it is doable that’ll be the case for the whole lineup, aside from the iPhone 17 Air, which might 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 might cut back the dimensions 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 RAMOne key aspect that might stay unchanged throughout each telephones is the processor. The iPhone 17 is rumored to pack an A18 chip, similar to the iPhone 16. With Apple’s plans to increase its Apple Intelligence suite of AI capabilities, it is doable the iPhone 17 lineup might include 12GB of RAM, as an alternative of the present 8GB — or no less than a part of it might.In April, analyst Ming-Chi Kuo stated the iPhone 17 Air and Pro fashions would sport 12GB of RAM however that Apple was nonetheless deciding whether or not to equip the baseline mannequin with that greater quantity too. In May, analyst Jeff Pu famous the baseline would stay at 8GB. We’ll have to attend to see what Apple finally decides. Speaking of Apple Intelligence, a brand new AI-powered Adaptive Power function arriving with iOS 26 might help preserve battery by making “small performance adjustments,” like “allowing some activities to take a little longer,” in keeping with Apple. The subsequent iPhone is anticipated 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 out there publicly. That ought to assist to stretch your battery life on both machine.Color choicesWhat’s on the within could also be most vital, however folks additionally need to know what enjoyable colours the iPhone 17 might sport. Rumors recommend the upcoming machine might are available in black, blue, silver, purple and inexperienced. For comparability, the iPhone 16 is obtainable in black, white, pink, teal and ultramarine.Everything we predict we all know in regards to the iPhone 17 continues to be simply hypothesis, so we’ll need to see what Apple unveils this fall. Should you purchase an iPhone 16 now or anticipate the iPhone 17?If you are in determined want of a brand new cellphone and may’t wait any longer, who am I to cease you? But in the event you can dangle tight till September, when Apple is anticipated to announce the iPhone 17, you’ll be able to both rating the flashy new machine or get a reduction on the iPhone 16. (In earlier years, the corporate dropped the worth on older fashions by round $100.)It’s probably the modifications between the iPhone 16 and 17 will likely be comparatively modest. Apple tends to debut newer options on its Pro fashions earlier than finally rolling them out throughout the complete lineup, prefer it did with the Dynamic Island on the iPhone 14 Pro and Pro Max and the Action button on the iPhone 15 Pro and Pro Max. So any shiny new capabilities will probably land on its extra premium telephones first, such because the rumored antireflective show and redesigned cameras on the iPhone 17 Pro fashions. But maybe the most important modifications might arrive subsequent yr with the 20th anniversary of the iPhone, for which Apple is reportedly “preparing a major shake-up” of the cellphone’s design, in keeping with Bloomberg. That features a (long-rumored) foldable model and a “bold new Pro model that makes more extensive use of glass.” The iPhone 17 could not even be introduced but, however it’s by no means too early to be trying even additional forward.
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