iPhone 17 Rumors vs. iPhone 16: Should You Upgrade Now or Wait?
TL;DR we recommend buying the iPhone 16 today if you want proven performance (A18/A18 Pro), longer battery life, Camera Control hardware, and official Apple Intelligence today at known prices. Wait for iPhone 17 if you care about the rumored ultra-thin and lightweight “Air” model, 120Hz ProMotion on every model, a larger 6.3-inch base iPhone, and possible Apple-designed wireless chips.
Patiently waiting? The launch is widely expected at the annual Apple Event in September 2025.
iPhone 16 Specs Refresher
Chips and AI: The iPhone 16 uses A18 while the Phone 16 Pro/Pro Max use A18 Pro. All are built for Apple Intelligence (Apple's integrated artificial intelligence system).
Displays and sizes (Pro): The Pro phones moved up to 6.3 inches (16 Pro) and 6.9 inches (16 Pro Max) with thinner borders, ProMotion, and Always-On.
New hardware control: The iPhone 16 introduced the new Camera Control button on the side. Press to launch or take photos, press and hold to record video—complete with a tactile switch and sensors for fine adjustments. The Action button previously introduced with the iPhone 15 also comes with the non-Pro models.
Pricing: U.S. starting prices were $799 (iPhone 16), $899 (16 Plus), $999 (16 Pro), and $1,199 (16 Pro Max).
Budget option in the same family: Apple added iPhone 16e in Feb 2025 with A18, Apple Intelligence, and Apple’s first in-house C1 modem.
iPhone 16 Accessories
If you’re upgrading to the iPhone 16, don’t forget to protect it with a top-notch case. MagSafe-compatible silicone options are perfect if you rely on magnetic chargers and accessories, giving you secure attachment and everyday convenience. For those who care more about personalization, premium silicone cases without MagSafe offer a wider range of colorways while still delivering durable protection, raised bezels for screen and camera safety, and a comfortable soft-touch grip.
iPhone 17 Rumours and What's to Come Next
Regarding the lineup and timing, four models (iPhone 17, 17 Air, Pro and Pro Max) are rumoured with an announcement the week of September 8th 2025.
Design sizes:
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A new ultra-thin “Air” model, reportedly around 5–6 mm thick, sits between the base and Pro sizes. The Plus model is expected to be dropped.
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The base iPhone 17 may grow to 6.3 inches, matching 17 Pro, while the Pro Max is expected to remain at 6.9 inches.
Displays: ProMotion (120Hz) rumored across the entire lineup thanks to LTPO panels. On iPhone 16, ProMotion is Pro-only.
Cameras: umors include a 24MP front camera across the range and a 48MP telephoto for Pro models, alongside a redesigned horizontal camera bar on some models.
Due to this still being speculation and rumors at this time, be sure to follow elago for the latest up-to-date Apple news.
iPhone 16 vs. rumored iPhone 17: Breakdown
|
Category |
iPhone 16 (2024) |
iPhone 17 (rumored 2025) |
|---|---|---|
|
Chips |
A18 (16/16 Plus), A18 Pro (Pro/Max) |
Next-gen A-series (naming TBD), Pro models likely step up again |
|
Displays |
60Hz on 16/16 Plus; ProMotion 120Hz on Pro; 6.3/6.9 in on Pro |
ProMotion 120Hz on all models; 6.3 in base, 6.6 in Air, 6.3/6.9 in Pro/Max |
|
Design |
Camera Control + Action button; titanium on Pro; thinner borders on Pro |
New ultra-thin “Air”; possible horizontal camera bar; slimmer bezels |
|
Wireless |
Wi-Fi 7, BT 5.3, UWB, 5G (Qualcomm) |
Apple-designed Wi-Fi 7; Apple modem in at least one model |
|
Cameras |
48MP main on all; 5× tetraprism telephoto on Pro/Max; 4K120 Dolby Vision on Pro |
24MP selfie across lineup; 48MP telephoto on Pro; other pro-grade upgrades |
|
Prices |
$799/$899/$999/$1,199 starting (U.S.) |
Possible small increases and/or storage bumps; Air likely mid-tier pricing |
Should you upgrade now or wait?
If you want certainty and excellent hardware now, the iPhone 16 family is a confident buy backed by official specs, Wi-Fi 7, and Apple Intelligence. If you can wait a few weeks, and the rumored thin Air model or 120Hz on every model are must-haves, then waiting for iPhone 17 makes sense—just remember that specs and pricing aren’t final until Apple takes the stage.
