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Apple is reportedly less than two months away from officially unveiling the iPhone 18 Pro lineup alongside its first-ever foldable iPhone.
The prospect has left many people using an iPhone 16 or an older model wondering whether to wait or upgrade now.
Yet given the changes in Apple’s product strategy, the risk of higher prices and the latest leaks, buying an iPhone 17 now may actually make more sense.
Here are five reasons worth considering before deciding to wait for the iPhone 18.
iPhone 18 prices could rise sharply
The first and perhaps most important factor is price. According to several analysts, the iPhone 18 Pro could start at $1,299, while the iPhone 18 Pro Max is expected to start at $1,399. If those forecasts prove accurate, that would represent an increase of around $200 over the previous generation.
The main reason is the rising cost of memory and storage components, particularly as Apple invests heavily in on-device artificial intelligence features.
Meanwhile, Apple’s first foldable iPhone could cost more than $2,000, potentially making it the most expensive iPhone ever released.
Apple has also begun adjusting iPhone prices in some markets, including Japan.
This suggests that an upward pricing trend is becoming increasingly apparent and could eventually extend to more countries.
By contrast, the iPhone 17 lineup is still available in the US and many other markets at the prices announced when it launched last September, starting at $799.
With iPhone prices potentially set to climb further, buying an iPhone 17 now could save users a significant amount of money.
Not every iPhone 18 model is expected this year
Another major change involves Apple’s reported plan to split its iPhone release schedule.
According to multiple sources, the upcoming September event will feature only the iPhone 18 Pro, iPhone 18 Pro Max and Apple’s first foldable iPhone.
The standard iPhone 18, lower-priced iPhone 18e and next-generation iPhone Air 2, meanwhile, are not expected to arrive until spring 2027.
That means anyone waiting for the direct successor to the standard iPhone 17 could face a considerably longer wait than under Apple’s traditional release cycle.
For users who need a new phone this year, continuing to rely on an aging device simply to wait several more months may no longer be the most practical option.
The standard iPhone 18 could come with hardware compromises
Some leaks suggest Apple is considering scaling back the display specifications and processing power of the standard iPhone 18 to keep production costs under control.
If that happens, the new model could share more components with the lower-priced iPhone 18e instead of maintaining the clearer distinction seen between models in previous generations.
Although some reports suggest RAM could increase to 9GB, the lower-end iPhone 18 models are still expected to miss out on two new iOS 27 features because of hardware limitations.
None of this has been confirmed by Apple. But if the company does scale back specifications on its mainstream models, the iPhone 17 or iPhone 17e could emerge as more attractive choices in terms of both performance and overall value, particularly if the iPhone 18 launches at a higher price.
Many rumored iPhone 18 upgrades remain just that - rumors
Many of the features expected on the iPhone 18 Pro are still far from certain.
Early rumors, for example, suggested Apple would eliminate the Dynamic Island in favor of a punch-hole camera design. That prospect has increasingly faded as fewer reliable sources continue to mention it.
For the foldable iPhone, a rumored 24MP under-display camera is reportedly still not ready for commercialization this year.
Similarly, the much-discussed “crease-free” foldable display technology is more likely to make the crease “nearly invisible” rather than eliminate it entirely.
In other words, users who keep waiting solely because of rumors about groundbreaking upgrades could still end up disappointed when the products are officially unveiled.
Current iPhone trade-in values remain attractive
One factor that is often overlooked is the value of the iPhone users already own.
Typically, once Apple unveils a new iPhone generation, trade-in and resale values for older models decline significantly.
Users can therefore find themselves paying more for a new device while receiving less when selling or trading in their existing iPhone.
Put another way, waiting until the iPhone 18 arrives before deciding to upgrade could create a double financial hit: a higher purchase price combined with a lower value for the old device.
Of course, none of this means the iPhone 18 lineup will not be worth buying. Apple is still likely to deliver improvements in performance, AI and the overall user experience with the new generation.
However, for people using an iPhone released before 2025 who have no particular interest in owning a foldable iPhone, the iPhone 17 remains a compelling option.
Its current price is more accessible, its hardware should remain powerful enough for years to come, and buying now could also help users avoid potential price increases and the extended wait created by Apple’s reported new release strategy.
Hai Phong
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