As Apple usually has its annual fall keynote, where the iPhone 17 is likely going to be presented sometime around early September, many shoppers are placed on the fence, hesitating on whether buying the soon-to-be replaced iPhone 15 and iPhone 16 is in order. An overview of current prices, discounts, and the iPhone 17 release time is to be discussed so that you may determine whether or not the time is right for you to buy now.
iPhone 17 release schedule
By historical launch cadence, it is most likely that Apple will announce its iPhone 17 line at its fall event on September 9, with pre-orders starting on September 12 and availability beginning on September 19. iOS 26 will ship within the iPhone 17 and is expected to be delivered mid-September, just before the sale of devices.
Launch prices vs. Current street prices for iPhone 15 & 16
iPhone 15
The iPhone 15 was made available at the same price as that of its predecessors:
- 128 GB: $799
- 256GB: $899
- 512GB: $1099
Used and refurbished models on secondary marketplaces such as Swappa average much, much lower today:
- Unlocked 128 GB: ~$509
- Unlocked 256 GB: ~$570
- Unlocked 512 GB: ~$642
The lowest price posted on a 128 GB model has dropped down to $319 away from the 60% cut of Apple’s MSRP.
iPhone 16
Apple introduced the iPhone 16 to the U.S. market at the following prices:
- 128 GB: $799,
- 256 GB: $899,
- 512 GB: $1,099.
Retailers and carriers have enjoyed same pricing as last year but with trade-in credits and promotions as follows:
- Apple Trade-In: up to $630 off on all models
- Carrier promotions (Verizon, AT&T, Best Buy): usually limited-time offers on select configurations and discounts or rebates on monthly payments
Many brand-new units still sell at around MSRP, and attractive trade-in and seasonal discounts can effectively reduce net outbound costs by 20-30 percent.
Historically, when new models debut every September, Apple standardizes trade-in across its lineup. These outgoing standard models (iPhone 15 and 16) typically get higher trade-in credits and carrier promotions. This time is historically the best two-week period before the event for the deepest discounts in any model years on the previous two generations.
Secondary-market depreciation
Many sellers on Swappa drop used prices just in August as they know resale value will plunge after the announcements. The remaining prices remain good enough for those buyers who are comfortable with accredited-refurbished or good condition iPhone 15’s, with such discounts as 40-60% off MSRP.
At the end of August, carriers generally roll out their version of “upgrade events,” which feature dollars off activation, credits toward bills, and reduced-APR financing. With a qualifying trade-in, a person can expect to see costs for an iPhone 16 drop anywhere from $200 to $400.
Should you buy now?
Yes, but:
- You want an upgrade right now, not waiting for something unproven in hardware.
- You’re comfortable acquiring certified-refurbished or used devices to maximize savings, without spending much cash up front.
- You can net out the cost by combining trade-in credits or carrier promotions.
Wait if:
- You’re looking to get that brand new feature (like rumored A19 processor, new “Air” version).
- You’re intending to try to keep your current device a little longer before that assessment of iOS 26 improvements is done.
- You need very obscure configurations or colors that tend to sell out very quickly when first made available.
Late August is that sweet spot for getting a good deal on both the iPhone 15 and iPhone 16 as it approaches the time for announcing the iPhone 17. If your priority really lies in maximizing value, especially with the heft discounts on used devices and very sweet trade-in offers, now is a good time to buy before Apple shifts its promotional focus unto the iPhone 17. However, someone who prefers the latest bells and whistles with performance at the highest level should wait until September 19 for the launch of the iPhone 17.
