Buy the iPhone 15 or wait for the iPhone 16?

We are just a few weeks away from the release of the iPhone 16 and its entire new series. Among the most frequently asked questions of the moment in the world of technology is surely this: does it make sense to buy the iPhone 15 now or is it better to wait until the iPhone 16 arrives in September? Let's weigh up together the decisive factors for making the right choice.

iPhone 16: when is it coming out and what new features are planned?

iPhone 16 release and arrival in Ireland

The release of the iPhone 16 and its entire series is scheduled for launch in the second half of September 2024, the month in which the famous annual conference, WWDC, organised by Apple itself, will be held. The arrival in Ireland, based on previous years, is usually expected within a couple of weeks or so after the announcement, with pre-orders available online. To know the exact dates, however, we will have to wait until closer to the official event announcement.

New iPhone 16 rumours

Like every year, Apple promises to bring completely revolutionary new features to the new series compared to previous models. But will this really be the case?

According to the first leaked rumours on the web, these will be the main new features of the iPhone 16:

• Revised design: as can be seen in the image above, the new iPhone 16 will adopt a new camera layout, forgoing the diagonal layout that it had introduced on iPhone 13, iPhone 14 and iPhone 15. But is this really an update or just a novelty? As opposed to an update, it looks more like a return to the past with a design more similar to previous models, such as the iPhone X, the iPhone 11 or the iPhone 12.
• Capture button: what’s that? With this new button, Apple's 16 series should make it possible to take photos and videos on the fly without touching the screen.
• Battery: nothing is certain yet, but among the new features of the iPhone 16 could be fast charging and a design that will allow the battery to be replaced more easily, a bit like in the old days! *A step towards the right to repair?
• Artificial intelligence, but...: not yet in Europe. Due to regulations in the European Union, and in particular non-compliance with the Digital Markets Act, Apple will have to postpone this functionality on compatible iPhones until at least 2025.
• Weight: the iPhone 16 is expected to weigh 1 per cent more than the iPhone 15. According to some authoritative sources in the tech world, it will go from a weight of 171 grams to a weight of 173 grams for the base model.
• Memory: The memory should also increase, in this case more substantially. This should go from the 6GB of the iPhone 15 to the 8GB of the iPhone 16.
• Chip: it is rumoured that the iPhone 16 models will benefit from a moderate improvement in processing power, with the switch from the A16 chip to the A18 chip, with a more powerful neural engine to support exclusive generative artificial intelligence features (but, as mentioned above, artificial intelligence is not currently planned for the models available for purchase in the EU).

iPhone 16: What will the price be?

On the price of the iPhone 16 we can only speculate, as there will be no firm confirmation before Apple's official announcement. But if we want to make an estimate based on the launch price of last year's iPhone 15, we can venture a guess that the price will be around €979 for the base model. The higher denominations in the series, i.e. iPhone 16 Pro, iPhone 16 Plus and iPhone 16 Pro Max, could end up costing over €1,500, depending on the configurations chosen.

Now that we have an overview of the release dates, new specs and launch prices of the iPhone 16, let's do some thinking about whether it is really worth buying the iPhone 16 when it is released in 2024 or whether it makes more sense to take advantage of the iPhone 15.

Is it worth buying iPhone 15 instead? All the advantages to keep in mind in 2024

Price

We don't yet know the official launch price of the iPhone 16. However, following the trends of past years, it is possible to expect a price drop for the iPhone 15 and Apple's previous models at the time of the iPhone 16's release, if not already in the period leading up to it.

In any case, the most cost-effective solution on the market in terms of value for money is definitely the choice of a refurbished iPhone 15, as a new iPhone 15 will still have a relatively high price, and far too close to that of the new 16.

With a refurbished model, however, it is possible to save up to 40 per cent compared to the price of new.

Functionality

If you're an "average" user who doesn't need the latest features of a top of the range device, choosing an iPhone 15 (or an iPhone 14) will definitely still satisfy your need for an ultra-modern Apple model, with OS support that will last for many years to come, excellent cameras, an ultra-performing battery, and a contemporary design. So if you're not an Apple fanatic who always wants to sport the latest model, we recommend opting for one of these slightly earlier series on the functionality front as well. After all, did you know that we only use a small percentage of the features on our smartphones?

Sustainability

Buying the latest smartphone model on the market every year (or almost every year) is not a sustainable practice for our planet. There is evidence that choosing a model already on the market as a used or reconditioned product has a significantly lower environmental impact than buying a brand new product.

How can we be so sure? Recently, we conducted research together with the Fraunhofer Institute Austria to analyse the ecological footprint of circa 10,000 refurbished smartphones, laptops and tablets compared to the same devices brand new. If you want to learn more about saving resources, please visit our sustainability page.

Other factors to consider

Apart from the points mentioned above, to decide whether it makes sense to buy an iPhone 15 now or wait for the iPhone 16, it is useful to assess your priorities at the time. If, for example, your current smartphone is about to give up on you and you urgently need to upgrade, then the quickest and most cost-effective solution might be to get an iPhone 15 now, without waiting until late September/early October 2024.

If you want to make an even more budget-friendly purchase, we can also recommend an even earlier model such as the iPhone 14, or even older refurbished Apple models, which are our best-sellers in 2024 due to their exceptional price/quality ratio. We are talking about the iPhone 12 and the iPhone 13.

So, what’s the answer? Is it worth buying an iPhone 15 in 2024?

In our opinion, definitely yes: it makes sense to buy an iPhone 15, especially at a price as low as the refurbished one. Here are some of the advantages and specifications that make the iPhone 15 an up-to-date, yet spending savvy smartphone to buy in 2024:

• Modern USB-C port: the 15 series was the first iPhone series to replace Apple's typical Lightning cable in favour of a USB-C input to comply with European Union regulations. Thanks to the universal charger, the iPhone 15, 16 and later models will not only allow the same cable to be used for different devices, but also avoid excessive electronics recycling.
• Dynamic Island: the Dynamic Island arrived in 2023 with the iPhone 15, with a completely redesigned design that replaced the top notch of the older models with a less bulky and more innovative solution.
• 48MP camera: a decidedly interesting advance introduced with the iPhone 15, if we think that the iPhone 14 came to market with a 12MP main camera.
• Display Brightness: With a peak brightness of 1600 nits, the iPhone 15 launched with a boost over the previous model.
• Battery: a battery that lasts until the end of the day and beyond... with the 15 series, Apple has further increased battery life standards, already high even in previous models. Need more?

Finally, here are all the benefits of a refurbished iPhone 15 on refurbed:

By purchasing your refurbished iPhone on refurbed, you enjoy all of the following benefits:

• Up to 40% saving on the price of new
• 30-day trial & right to return
• Min. 12-month warranty
• Shipping and returns included
• Possibility to buy in interest-free instalments, without a pay slip

Still in doubt? If you have any questions, don't hesitate to contact our free support.