August brings a period of uneasy calm in the tech world. It is widely expected that Apple will unveil the new iPhone on September 10. You might be considering purchasing a new device soon, believing it’s a good opportunity. My advice is to hold off for now, and here are my reasons.
August: The Worst Time to Buy an iPhone
The iPhone 16, while a conservative model, will introduce enhancements over the iPhone 15. The integration of artificial intelligence through Apple Intelligence could be a major attraction for the pro models, in addition to improvements in battery life, performance, and new photography capabilities.
As of now, there are hypothetically 24 days left until the new iPhone is presented, although the exact availability in markets is still unknown. If you’re planning to purchase a new iPhone, it would be wise to wait these three long weeks unless you have an urgent need.
First of all, who knows if the iPhone 15 might be discontinued? While the brand continues to offer support, this may not be the best time to make a purchase.
If you’re aiming for considerable savings, the launch of the new iPhone will likely lead to a price drop for previous models. You could save around €100 by choosing a device from 2023, or even more by selecting an older model. The arrival of the iPhone 16 will enable online and physical stores to offer more appealing discounts on earlier models.
Additionally, we don’t yet know the starting price of the iPhone 16. Last year, there were numerous rumors regarding the pricing of the iPhone 15, and to be honest, there was no increase compared to the previous year. If the same pattern continues in 2024, you could get your hands on a cutting-edge phone at an excellent price. Plus, if you take advantage of the Trade In option that Apple provides to assess your device and apply a discount on the new purchase, the price of your next phone will be even more appealing. Here are the estimated prices you can expect:
| Device | Estimated Value (€) |
|---|---|
Patience is a Virtue
Unless you urgently need a new phone and it needs to be an Apple product, it’s better to wait and take advantage of deals on devices from previous years. Moreover, those who are upgrading their devices will likely put their older models up for sale. You should consider not only traditional selling channels; the second-hand market is also a great option.
Even the refurbished models present an excellent opportunity to access top-tier technology at far more reasonable prices. Ultimately, the decision is yours; weigh your needs and budget carefully to ensure you buy the iPhone at the best price. There’s no rush—August is not the ideal month for such a purchase.
August is a month of tense calm in the technological sphere. It is practically taken for granted that Apple will present the new iPhone on September 10. And you may be thinking about buying a new device now, because you think it’s a good opportunity to do so. My recommendation is that you don’t do it yet, and here are my reasons.
August, the Worst Time to Buy an iPhone
The iPhone 16, although a very conservative model, will bring improvements compared to the iPhone 15. The emergence of artificial intelligence materialized through Apple Intelligence could be a significant draw for the pro models, along with enhancements in battery life, performance, and new photography possibilities.
At the time of writing these lines, there would hypothetically be 24 days left for the presentation of the new iPhone, although we don’t know when they will be available in the markets. If you want to buy a new iPhone, it’s best to wait these three long weeks unless it is an emergency.
To begin with, who knows if the iPhone 15 could be discontinued? So while the brand continues to provide support, it may not be the best option at this time to make a purchase.
If you are looking for significant savings, the launch of the new iPhone will automatically cause the older models to depreciate in price. You can find savings of around €100 if you opt for a device from 2023, or even more if you go further back in time. The arrival of the iPhone 16 will mean that online and physical stores will offer more enticing discounts on older models.
On the other hand, we don’t know what the starting price of the iPhone 16 will be. There were many rumors last year regarding the prices of the iPhone 15, and, to put it frankly, they did not vary compared to the previous year. If the same thing happens in 2024, you’ll be able to access a top-of-the-line phone at an appealing price. Plus, if you take advantage of the Trade In option that Apple offers to evaluate your device, they will deduct it from the purchase of the new one, making your next phone much more affordable. Here’s a look at the estimated trade-in values:
| Device | Estimated Value (€) |
|---|---|
| iPhone 14 Pro Max | Up to €770 |
| iPhone 14 Pro | Up to €670 |
| iPhone 14 Plus | Up to €510 |
| iPhone 14 | Up to €480 |
| iPhone SE (3rd gen) | Up to €220 |
| iPhone 13 Pro Max | Up to €550 |
| iPhone 13 Pro | Up to €490 |
| iPhone 13 | Up to €360 |
| iPhone 13 mini | Up to €310 |
| iPhone 12 Pro Max | Up to €360 |
| iPhone 12 Pro | Up to €320 |
| iPhone 12 | Up to €240 |
| iPhone 12 mini | Up to €200 |
| iPhone SE (2nd gen) | Up to €90 |
| iPhone 11 Pro Max | Up to €260 |
| iPhone 11 Pro | Up to €220 |
| iPhone 11 | Up to €190 |
| iPhone XS Max | Up to €150 |
| iPhone XS | Up to €140 |
| iPhone XR | Up to €140 |
| iPhone X | Up to €100 |
| iPhone 8 Plus | Up to €80 |
| iPhone 8 | Up to €60 |
| iPhone 7 Plus | Up to €50 |
Patience is a Virtue
Unless you find yourself in urgent need of a phone and it has to be an Apple device, it’s better to let time pass to access devices from previous years at a better price. Additionally, all those people who are going to renew their devices should put them up for sale. You should not only focus on traditional channels; second-hand options are also a great way to save.
Even reconditioned models provide a fantastic opportunity to access cutting-edge technology at much more reasonable prices. Ultimately, the decision is yours, but consider all your needs against your budget to buy the iPhone at the best price. Don’t be in a rush; August is not the ideal month for such a purchase.