Apple announced the iPhone 16 lineup last month with a handful of novelties, but if you are upgrading from the iPhone 14 Pro or iPhone 15 Pro, we would advise you to keep a hold of your money for a bit longer. Yes, the iPhone 16 Pro models come with a wide range of front-facing features and changes, but the drastic shift from last year's models is nowhere in sight. If you are on the verge of making a decision, here's why you should not buy the iPhone 16 Pro or Pro Max this year and wait for the iPhone 17 lineup.
The iPhone 17 Pro and the iPhone 17 'Air' will be a worthy upgrade, unlike this year's iPhone 16 Pro models
Apple's iPhone 17 lineup will be a pivotal point for the iPhone in terms of design and new features, but first, let's compare the iPhone 16 Pro to last year's iPhone 15 Pro models. There is no doubt that the new models are superior to last year's models, but the difference is more or less negligible. The A17 Pro is still quite capable, and it boasts all the new Apple Intelligence features of the new iPhone 16 Pro models.
If you are getting the new iPhone 16 Pro model due to the Camera Control button, take note that the functionality is quite cumbersome to operate, and we have our fair share of annoyances in this regard. For instance, the company has placed all camera controls in the new capacitive button, but the layout is somewhat confusing and cluttered. The tiny interface you get below the Camera Control button is there to help you, but you are better off with the camera controls and a bigger interface. The option to change the filters from the Camera Controls is not only confusing but requires a two-handed operation. I believe the camera button could have been a bit higher.
Speaking of Camera Control, the camera quality on the iPhone 16 Pro is very similar to that of the last generation's iPhone, and you can check that out in our review roundup post. Yes, we would have to give it to Apple to include 4K video at 120 fps, but is it really something that you would consider upgrading to from the iPhone 15 Pro? If you must upgrade, the standard iPhone 16 is a much better option as the company has eliminated most of the differences with the 'Pro' models. You will also save a couple of hundred dollars while you are at it.
The reason why you should not buy the iPhone 16 Pro this year is because the company failed to make major changes in terms of design; despite a larger form factor, it still looks like an iPhone 15 Pro or the iPhone 14 Pro before it. The iPhone 17 Pro, on the flip side, is reported to come with some pretty significant upgrades not only in the camera department but also in the hardware department. In terms of performance, the iPhone 17 Pro models are slated to come with a brand new 2nm A19 Pro chip from TSMC, allowing the device to compete better against the competition as well as its initial M series chips in Macs.
We have also previously heard that the iPhone 17 will launch with a new 'Air' model, which will feature a slimmer design with cameras housed in a visor, similar to the Google Pixel 9 series. It remains to be seen if the company will only introduce a single model replacing the iPhone 17 Plus or if the changes will be implemented on all four models of the lineup. As for the standard iPhone 17 models, it is expected that the company will bring ProMotion technology to the mix, and coupled with design variations, it would be a much better package than the current models.
Apple's iPhone 16 lineup will go on sale starting this Friday, September 20, and if you are planning to get one, it would be wise to know better about what is coming next year. Nonetheless, it all boils down to personal preferences and we are not arguing that the new 'Pro' models are bad by any chance, as these are Apple's most advanced iPhones to date, but the differences with last generation models are quite minimal.
About the author: Ali Salman is a technology reporter for Wccftech mobile section with a specialized focus on Apple and the intellectual property that drives mobile innovation. He has cultivated a unique expertise in analyzing and deconstructing complex technology patents, translating dense legal and technical documents into clear, insightful reports on future products.
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