Every year, the calculations of choosing which iPhone to buy get more and more frustrating. Prefer the standard iPhone? Spending money on the latest and greatest Pro model that could take two years to pay off? Or should you just buy a slightly older used or refurbished model to get the best deal possible? And of course, there’s always the safest bet: save your money and keep your current phone as long as possible.
After sitting through Apple’s announcements for a day, one thing became clear: The regular $799 iPhone 16 It’s a pretty solid deal, at least compared to the mainstream iPhones of the past few years. Instead of reusing an old chip, Apple actually has a new processor called the A18. It brings the Action button from the iPhone 15 Pro and it also features Apple’s new camera button. The iPhone 16 is also relatively future-proof, as it supports Apple Intelligence, which does not work on the non-Pro iPhone 15 and older models.
At this time $999 iPhone 16 Pro has an additional camera and supports more powerful photography and video recording features, the line between this device and the standard iPhone 16 is more blurred than ever.
Today, it makes more sense to invest in the iPhone 16 instead of the poor, beleaguered iPhone SE. This device has an older A15 chip, a smaller 4.7-inch screen, and still costs $429 as of 2022. We’re rumored to see a new iPhone SE sometime next year, but the current model is simply awful. An option in Apple’s current lineup.
If you’re not interested in Apple Intelligence and want to replace an older device, you can currently find a refurbished iPhone 15 on Amazon and elsewhere for $500-$600. But if you’re really willing to pay that much for a used device with a limited warranty, it might make more sense to pick up the iPhone 16 and pay it off over time through your carrier. Trade-in deals can also shave a significant chunk off the price of a new phone. For example, Verizon is currently offering $800 off a Pixel 9 or iPhone 15 when you trade in an old device.
To be clear, all of the previous tips only apply if you need to replace a trashed iPhone or if you’re excited to play with Apple Intelligence. Based on the latest rumors, it’s likely we’ll see something (similar ), so it might make sense to hold on to your existing device. And remember that Apple’s AI features won’t be available right away at launch — you’ll have to for the first batch of features, and Siri won’t get all of its new smarts until the first half of 2025.
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iPhone 16 is the latest Apple smartphone designed with Apple Intelligence in mind.
