Should you get an iPhone 17 now or wait for the iPhone 18 launch?

Apple followed a split launch strategy this year by only launching the iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max at the September event. The first-gen foldable phone, iPhone Duo, was also a part of the event, but the standard iPhone 18 didn’t make an appearance.

The iPhone 18 is expected to arrive in early 2027. Some reputed leaksters say it will be priced higher than iPhone 17. So, the real question is: if it’s worth waiting a few months to get the iPhone 18 at higher prices, or get the iPhone 17 right now? Will the upcoming model bring enough solid upgrades to justify a price hike? Let’s find out.

Upgrades coming to iPhone 18

Apple hasn’t said anything about the iPhone 18, but extensive leaks in recent weeks have revealed almost everything about the device, including price hike details.

The iPhone 18 is expected to ship with a 2nm A20 chipset (Pro’s have A20 Pro chips). Of course, the performance is going to be better, but the switch to a 2nm node should bring a greater impact on battery efficiency.

According to Digital Chat Station, a Chinese tipster with a strong track record in Apple leaks, the standard iPhone 18 will switch to Apple’s C2 modem instead of using one made by Qualcomm. The Pro models also use the same modem.

The iPhone 18 will reportedly bring RAM upgrades as well. According to analyst Ming-Chi Kuo, it will come with 9GB of RAM, up from 8GB RAM on the iPhone 17.

Besides these three potential upgrades, there’s one that even beats the iPhone 18 Pro, and that is: a 4430mAh battery on the standard iPhone 18. For comparison, the iPhone 17 has a 3692mAh battery and the iPhone 18 Pro has a 4288mAh battery.

Well, this wouldn’t be the first time seeing a bigger battery on a standard iPhone than on a Pro model, but the 20% bigger battery compared to iPhone 17 is a big deal. This is only a rumor for now, but Apple fans are already sharing their excitement on public forums such as Reddit (1, 2).

Other specs will reportedly remain unchanged. So, you may still get a 120Hz 6.3″ LTPO OLED screen, dual 48MP rear camera setup, an 18MP selfie camera with center stage, IP68 rating, and 40W wired charging support.

Price hikes are also coming

The iPhone 18 will reportedly face a price hike on top of already hiked prices of the iPhone 17. It is expected to cost $999 for the base variant with 256GB storage. The iPhone 17 with the same storage is currently priced at $899 after a recent hike of $100.

Is it worth waiting for the iPhone 18?

Based on the leaks and rumors so far, the iPhone 18 would essentially bring upgraded performance and a 20% larger battery. And for that you may have to pay an additional $100. If those upgrades and the price hike sound good, it’s better to wait.

However, if you’re a light user, the iPhone 17 is actually a better choice. The device comfortably lasts a day on normal usage, and doesn’t lag in everyday operations. Plus, you’ll save $100 and won’t have to wait for months to upgrade.

You can read about detailed coverage of iPhone 18 on this page.