I love my iPhone, but I’ve come to find that upgrading annually is something I can avoid while still getting a stellar experience. Instead of purchasing a new device with each release, the true sweet spot is waiting two years to upgrade.
Buying a new iPhone is fun, but setting up a rhythm wherein you upgrade every other year can offer several advantages in the long run, like a more rewarding hardware experience and the ability to save money.
Hardware Isn’t Changing Drastically
Purchasing a brand-new iPhone can be wonderful: peeling back the cellophane on that all-white box and pulling a fresh device from it can make you feel like a child on their birthday. Virtually any iPhone you purchase is going to be a high-quality product, but these days there isn’t always a major reason to go through this process every year other than having that unboxing experience.
Smartphone technology is always improving, but not at the rate it once was. Screens get slightly larger and brighter, cameras get a bit more powerful, andthe processor inside an iPhone gets fasterwith each generation. Although hardware upgrades like these are introduced with each release, they’re not always as noticeable as you might hope. This isn’t something unique to the iPhone; other smartphones also suffer.
Since the release of the iPhone 14 Pro series and itsDynamic Island, it appears Apple is attempting to do something to ensure that each new generation stands out beyond incremental internal hardware upgrades. The iPhone 15switched to USB-Cand the Pro series adopted theAction Button. For iPhone 16, it received theCamera Button. It seems like the big thing for the next generation will be the thiniPhone 17 Air.
While these upgrades offer benefits and help make the product unique, they may not be enough for someone who makes an annual upgrade. For example, the new Camera button is great, but having the Action Button on the iPhone 15 Pro seems just as convenient. You also have to consider that certain features can be paywalled behind a Pro-series upgrade.
Waiting to upgrade also means potentially receiving a higher-quality product, comparatively. When I made the jump from aniPhone 12 Proto theiPhone 15 Pro, it was incredible. A brand-new lithium-ion battery, a massive upgrade from a 12MP main camera to a 48MP main camera, and other perks like the move to USB-C and the versatile Action Button.
Software Keeps You Current
One perk of waiting to upgrade your device is that you’ll still receive access to software updates. While we could spend all day arguing about whether Apple intentionally kills older products, forcing consumers to upgrade, the fact is that an iPhone generally receives software updates for a good five to six years before it becomes obsolete.
While this isn’t ideal for someone who wants to buy a single smartphone and be done with it, anyone who aims to upgrade annually should realize there’s a lot of life left in their current device.
Just be aware that not every iOS update is going to create a spellbinding experience. While this certainly isn’t the case foriOS 26—which features a complete UI overhaul thanks to Liquid Glass—there are times when a new software release can be underwhelming as well.
Saving Money, Helping the Environment
Naturally, we have to talk about money if we’re talking about the iPhone. For the past several releases, Apple has been fairly consistent in keeping a base-model device with no upgrades at around $800, give or take. That’s good, but the money you use for a new iPhone every single year holds the potential for something else in your life.
Maybe youfound a really great deal on the M4 MacBook Air, or perhaps it’s finally time to install that security camera on your front door. Maybe you decided tobuy a Nintendo Switch 2 for the fun of it. These days, waiting a year or two to upgrade an iPhone can be extremely helpful financially.
Turning your smartphone upgrade into a biennial event or longer can also be good for the environment. Sure, Apple is going to produce the same number of devices regardless of whether you heed my advice, but you’re still doing your part in a very small way. Plus, you don’t have to worry aboutproperly recycling your old phone. Doing something small to help reduce e-waste can go a long way.
Avoiding First-Run Issues
Not to generalize, but if you’re the type that likes to buy a new device every year, it seems like a fair bet that you would also like to purchase it on release day. There’s nothing wrong with this—I do the same thing. There’s certainly a thrill going to the Apple Store; not only are you getting to experience cutting-edge tech in the palm of your hands, you get to see the excitement of others experiencing this as well.
Getting a day-one device is a lot of fun, but it also exposes you to potential issues. Going with something that’s first out the door from a facility means you’re getting a device that may not have had a pristine production run. It can take some time to fine-tune a production line, and while Apple typically has a great rhythm, it isn’t all peaches and cream.
For example, upon initial release, bothiPhone 15 Pro and Pro Max models experienced overheating. While the issue was thankfullyresolved via a software update, it’s not always that simple. Longtime iPhone fans may also recall the infamous “Antennagate” incident with the iPhone 4, in which Steve Jobs attempted to convince everyone that they were holding their phone incorrectly. It turns out that there was a flaw in the antenna’s design; one class action lawsuit later, the whole ordeal is now a negative mark on Apple’s record.
While release day can be a lot of fun, being an experiment can have a lot of downsides. Even if you don’t heed my advice about skipping a year, waiting for user reviews after release day can be a good way to avoid taking a risk.
Should You Skip the Next iPhone?
If you have the means, and you simply can’t live without that fresh, out-of-the-box experience, don’t let me be the one to stop you. Some people use buying a new phone every year as an opportunity to pass their old device to a friend or family member, and that’s awesome. What I want people to take away from this is that they shouldn’t feel an obligation to make the jump every year, especially when there’s so much nerdy tech in the world to enjoy.
Like a fine wine or a moldy cheese, a lot of the arguments made here grow stronger the longer you wait. Waiting two or even three years to upgrade may seem like an eternity, but it’s only going to make the experience of a new iPhone even more exciting. There’s also the added benefit that you can get a previous-generation model for much cheaper than if you choose to buy the latest top-of-the-line device.
Ultimately, you’re free to spend your money as you see fit. However, taking a moment to decide if a hardware upgrade is worth the price of admission is something that you should keep in the back of your mind. No matter what, you’re gaining access to a fantastic product, but waiting may make that sweet Apple even sweeter.
iPhone 16e
The iPhone16e is an affordable addition to the iPhone 16 line, costing $200 less than the base iPhone 16.
