Apple iPhone 15 Pro or iPhone 16 Pro: Buy now or wait?

Key Takeaways

Apple’s iPhone 16 Pro is rumored to come with new colors, a larger display, an A18 chip, 8GB of RAM, and a dedicated capture button.
The iPhone 15 Pro remains impressive, with a 48-megapixel camera, titanium body, A17 Pro chip, and more, all for $999.
Before upgrading to the iPhone 15 Pro now or waiting for the iPhone 16, consider your needs, financing options, and technology preferences.

If you’re like me, September is always a month to look forward to. It’s the time of Apple’s annual launch of new iPhones, which always creates excitement and buzz. The Californian tech giant is expected to launch the iPhone 16, 16 Plus, 16 Pro, and 16 Pro Max this fall. There are also rumors of an Ultra model iPhone, but as of now, it’s unclear if it’s a rebranded Pro Max or a new, even higher-end smartphone.

The thing is, despite all this excitement about new smartphones coming later this year, the best time to buy a new iPhone is when you’re ready. Of course, that sage advice doesn’t help when you’re deciding whether to buy the top-of-the-line iPhone now or wait a few more months to buy what Apple releases next. Let’s break down the features of the iPhone 16 Pro, due out this fall, how it compares to the iPhone 15 Pro, and what you should generally consider when buying a new iPhone.

iPhone 15 Pro

Apple’s high-end smartphone features an A17 Pro chip, an action button, a 48-megapixel main camera and a titanium design.

Sonic: A17 Pro
screen: 6.1 inch, OLED, 2556 x 1179, 460ppi, 2000 nits peak
Storage: 128GB, 256GB, 512GB, 1TB
battery: 23 hours, 50% quick charge in 30 minutes 20W wired, 15W MagSafe, 7.5W Qi wireless
port: USB-C
Camera (rear, front): 48MP main, f/1.78; 12MP ultra-wide, f/2.2; 2x telephoto from main; 12MP 3x telephoto, f/2.8; 12MP front, f/1.9
size: 146.6 x 70.6 x 8.25mm; 187g
color: Black titanium, white titanium, blue titanium, natural titanium
IP Rating: IP68
Graphics Processor: 6 cores
material: titanium

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What’s coming for the iPhone 16?

Almost the same thing

Admittedly, there’s only so much that can change from year to year when it comes to a rectangular sheet of metal and glass; some years will be more dramatic than others. 2024 is expected to introduce new iPhones with a broadly similar design language. Changes we might see include new colors and slightly larger displays made possible by even thinner bezels. There are also rumors that the vertical pill-shaped rear camera bump will return.

As for the internals, they will almost certainly feature a new A18 processor. There’s also a chance that with the introduction of Apple Intelligence, 8GB of RAM will be offered across the board. There could also be bigger batteries across the lineup. In an attempt to push prices even higher, the 128GB storage tier could be removed from the Pro lineup, replacing it with a 256GB base storage option similar to the iPhone 15 Pro Max and recently released iPad Pro.

If configured properly, it can also function as a dedicated shutter button.

The last big change is a dedicated capture button for taking photos. It’s always been possible to use the volume buttons on an iPhone to take photos, but with the introduction of the action button, they can double as a dedicated shutter button when configured properly. This dedicated capture button will likely be located near the bottom-right corner of the device, mimicking the location of a traditional camera, making it easier to take photos.

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What about the iPhone 15 Pro?

In fact, very

The iPhone 15 Pro remains a very good iPhone. The combination of the 48MP camera and titanium body continues to impress and feel great in the hand. The iPhone 15 Pro starts at $999 for 128GB of storage, while the iPhone 15 Pro Max starts at $1,199 for 256GB.

The iPhone 15 Pro and Pro Max are the only two iPhones currently on sale that can support Apple Intelligence, due out this fall. The iPhone 15 Pro comes in four relatively muted colors: natural, blue, black, and white titanium. Hardware-wise, the iPhone 15 Pro features an A17 Pro chip, up to 29 hours of battery life for video playback, and a 6.1-inch or 6.7-inch OLED display.

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What should you consider?

Balancing needs, funding and technology

It’s one thing to compare the rumored iPhone 16 Pro specs to the currently available iPhone 15 Pro, but there are a few other factors to consider when making your decision.

Is your current iPhone in good shape? Are you desperate for a new iPhone? Evaluate the available storage, battery life, and overall physical condition of your device. Maybe you’re running low on storage or your device is broken? In that case, upgrading now may be a better decision than waiting. If the battery is the only issue, an inexpensive battery repair may be all you need.

How is the funding going?

iPhones aren’t cheap. They never have been. Can you afford a new phone now, or do you need to save up a bit more? Waiting for the new iPhones to come out in the fall will give you two advantages: not only will you get the iPhone 16 Pro if you want it, but if you want the iPhone 15 Pro, the price will likely drop after the iPhone 16 Pro is released. But if you want the iPhone 15 Pro, you’ll want to hurry, because Apple doesn’t keep the previous generation Pro for sale online after launch, and they’re often only in stores for a week or so if you’re lucky.

Carriers can be a great resource for finding great deals on older stock if they have it in stock. Summer also tends to have back-to-school sales on the current generation of iPhones, so if you wait until fall, you might not find a good financing deal until the holidays.

Do you enjoy the latest technology?

A blue iPhone 15 Pro held in the hand with AirPods Pro closed.

If you like the latest and greatest and don’t mind paying for it, then you should wait for the iPhone 16 Pro. If not, there’s no harm in upgrading now. If you’re not a technology nut, get your new phone when it’s convenient for you – right now. The iPhone 15 Pro is a great device.

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BUYING ADVICE

Advantages and disadvantages

For Apple fans who regularly upgrade their phones every year, buying a new phone in the summer may seem like sacrilege. But there’s no better time to buy a new phone than when you need one. And it doesn’t hurt that summer tends to be a great time to get some great deals. Here are some reasons why you should buy the iPhone 15 Pro now or wait for the iPhone 16 Pro in the fall.