Every year in September, the global technology world turns its attention to Apple and the launch of the new iPhone. This year, the iPhone 17 is expected to be launched around mid-September and quickly go on sale in a series of major markets, including Vietnam. This raises the constant question: should you buy the iPhone 16 when the new generation is only about a month away, or should you wait to experience the outstanding improvements of the iPhone 17?

Undeniably, the iPhone 16 is still a powerful smartphone, with performance and features that are capable of meeting most of the needs of current users. In addition, retailers are applying many promotions, discounts and attractive accessories to stimulate demand before the new generation is launched. However, according to many experts from reputable technology sites, the upgrades that the iPhone 17 promises to bring can make the decision to "buy now" hasty.

1. iPhone 17 screen

One of the things that iPhone 17 users are most excited about is the change in screen technology. For years, Apple has only equipped the ProMotion 120 Hz refresh rate on the Pro versions, making it a “privilege” for high-end customers. But many reliable leaks, including from supply chain analysts, have confirmed that the iPhone 17 and iPhone 17 Plus will be upgraded to 120 Hz screens for the first time.

This is not just a number on a spec sheet but a profound change in experience. Users will feel smoother when scrolling through web pages, surfing social networks or playing high-graphic games. The high refresh rate also helps improve touch response, creating a more "hands-on" and seamless feeling when using.

Not stopping there, the screen size of the standard iPhone 17 is expected to increase to 6.3 inches, on par with the iPhone 17 Pro. This opens up a larger display space, especially useful for reading documents, editing photos or watching videos in high quality. This change makes the iPhone 17 more attractive to those who want a large screen experience but do not want to spend more money to upgrade to the Pro line.

2. Modern and streamlined front design

Overall, Apple will still maintain the minimalist and luxurious design style that is the brand's hallmark, but the front of the iPhone 17 is expected to have a significant refinement. According to sources from Digital Chat Station, Apple is applying "metalens" technology to the Face ID system. This is a type of super-small metal lens, allowing for a significant reduction in sensor size while still ensuring accuracy when recognizing.

With this improvement, the Dynamic Island (the “island” area containing the front camera and sensors) will become more compact, occupy less display space and be less noticeable. This is especially meaningful for those who often watch videos or play games in full screen mode, when the cutout is no longer as “visible” as before.

Some rumors also suggest that Dynamic Island will be renamed “Smart Island,” reflecting the software improvements. Apple could incorporate more intelligent interactive features, making the area a convenient notification and control center, rather than just a branding element. If this becomes a reality, Smart Island could be a major plus, erasing previous criticisms.

3. Performance

Apple is entering a new phase with Apple Intelligence, the AI ​​system developed by the company to personalize the user experience and handle everyday tasks more intelligently. To fully exploit the power of AI, hardware plays an extremely important role. And the iPhone 17 is said to be fully refined to serve the AI ​​era.

According to analyst Ming-Chi Kuo, the entire iPhone 17 series will use Apple's self-designed WiFi 7 chip, providing superior connection speed, extremely low latency, and stable operation even in crowded network environments. This is a key factor for AI tasks that require fast and synchronized data transmission to be performed smoothly.

In addition, the RAM capacity has been upgraded to 12 GB, a big step up from the 6 or 8 GB on previous iPhone models. With abundant RAM, the device can handle multiple AI tasks at the same time without experiencing “lag” or reloading applications. This is especially important because Apple Intelligence is expected to process many tasks right on the device, not relying too much on the cloud, thereby increasing security and protecting privacy.

4. Economic factors

There is no denying that technology is always the biggest driving force behind users’ anticipation of a new generation of iPhones. However, on a more practical level, economic factors also play an equally important role in purchasing decisions. For many people, spending tens of millions of dong on a smartphone is not simply a matter of satisfying personal needs, but also an investment that needs to be carefully considered to ensure long-term effectiveness.

For many years, Apple has followed a “rule” that has remained almost unchanged: as soon as a new generation of iPhone is launched, the official price of the previous generation will be adjusted down. This reduction can range from 2 to 5 million VND, depending on the version and market. In Vietnam, this number is sometimes even larger, especially if retailers combine additional promotions, installment incentives or accessories. This makes the time after a new product appears an attractive “deal hunting season” for iPhone lovers who still want to save money.

If you wait another month or so, there are two more reasonable scenarios to choose from:

• Buy iPhone 17: To experience the latest technologies, from the 120 Hz ProMotion display on the standard version, a more streamlined design, to the hardware power supporting Apple Intelligence, factors that promise to enhance the daily experience.
• Buy iPhone 16 at a significantly lower price: Although it doesn’t have the most groundbreaking features of the iPhone 17, the iPhone 16 is still a powerful device that can meet your needs for at least the next 3-4 years. Buying at a time when the price has dropped also helps you avoid the feeling of “buying it is outdated” and limits the risk of a sharp depreciation immediately after purchase.

This is the "safe and secure" option that both preserves your financial value and gives you more time to observe the actual market response to the iPhone 17. Reality has proven that not every new technology is perfect from the first day of launch. Waiting can help you avoid risks of software errors, performance or battery problems that are sometimes only discovered after a few weeks of use.

5. Should I buy iPhone 16 now?

While the above reasons are strong enough to convince most users to wait for the iPhone 17, there are still cases where buying the iPhone 16 at the present time is completely reasonable, even necessary.

First of all, if your phone is having serious problems, such as a broken screen, a severely worn battery, a touch error, or hardware problems that cannot be repaired at a reasonable cost, delaying the upgrade will directly affect your work and daily life. In these situations, the iPhone 16 is still a safe choice: it has strong performance, a high-quality camera, and a long-term supported iOS operating system. You won't have to worry about missing features or security for years to come.

In addition, if you are lucky enough to find a deep discount from retailers, especially when combined with incentives such as free cases, genuine fast chargers or 0% installment support, buying the iPhone 16 now can help save significantly. Sometimes, these promotions only last for a short time and if you miss it, you will have a hard time finding a similar good price again.

In addition to the price factor, some users also have their own reasons for not waiting for the iPhone 17. For example, they do not care much about the ProMotion screen or AI features, but just want a stable device, familiar design and do not have to spend time getting used to new changes. In this case, the iPhone 16 completely meets expectations and buying early helps them quickly own the device without having to hesitate any more.

6. Final advice

The decision of whether to buy the iPhone 16 now or wait for the iPhone 17 really depends on each person's needs, budget, and priorities. If you are a tech enthusiast who always wants to experience the latest features, waiting an extra month will bring many benefits both technologically and financially. But if your current device no longer meets your needs or you find a "hard to resist" deal, the iPhone 16 is still a good choice.

The bottom line: be clear about your goals and expected usage before you buy. A good smartphone isn’t just the newest one, it’s the one that’s best for you at the time you buy it. And sometimes the “smarts” lie in waiting a few more weeks or taking advantage of the opportunity that’s right at hand.

Whether you should buy the iPhone 16 now or wait for the iPhone 17 really depends on urgency, personal needs, and budget. However, based on current leaks, the iPhone 17 is likely to bring significant improvements in display, design, performance, and AI processing capabilities. If you can wait another month, the safer and more optimal choice is to wait for the iPhone 17 to launch, then decide to buy the new version or the iPhone 16 at the adjusted price. In the world of technology, especially with Apple products, patience is sometimes the most profitable investment.