The iPhone 17 models are out and they look slick. I’m not going to lie: I want an iPhone 17 Pro Max and I want it now. I’m kind of feeling the iPhone Air, too (but wonder if I’d break it).
Plus, my iPhone 13 Pro Max, which I bought new in 2022, is still as snappy as it was the day I peeled off the plastic film. So how can I justify the cost of a new one? Well, I personally can’t right now, but things might be different for you. Looking at what’s new and where you are with your current phone will help you decide.
What’s new with the iPhone 17 lineup
Apple announced four new models at its annual iPhone event Sept. 9. The iPhone Air looks impossibly thin and the Pro models finally have a fresh new look.
Here’s the new lineup in a nutshell:
-
iPhone 17 looks familiar, but has upgraded hardware that includes a more durable display with a 120Hz refresh rate.
-
iPhone Air is an all-new super duper slim model that promises pro-level performance and durability that would seem to defy its light and airy look.
-
iPhone 17 Pro and iPhone 17 Pro Max introduce a new unibody design with a forged metal bump-out that includes three 48MP cameras. Cosmic Orange, a new color offering, looks stunning.
All models get an upgraded front camera that lets you fit more into the frame.
“I’m interested to try that out myself,” says Courtney Lindwall, home and tech reporter at Consumer Reports. “It seems like it will be a bit easier to take selfies with other folks, a feature people use every day.”
Pricing: iPhone 17 starts at $799, iPhone Air starts at $999 and iPhone 17 Pro and 17 Pro Max start at $1099 and $1199, respectively. Pre-ordering opens Sept. 12.
How often people upgrade in 2025
Apple puts out new iPhones every year, but people don’t upgrade that often. In fact, the most recent data (collected in December 2024) from Consumer Intelligence Research Partners shows nearly half (45%) of iPhone buyers kept their phone for three years or more.
Like I said, I’ve had mine for three years, and counting. My wife has had her iPhone 14 for two, and my mom is still rocking an iPhone XR that came out in 2018.
Our scan of Reddit* (yes, we used AI) confirms the tendency to keep a phone longer.
-
Many users say they upgrade every four to five years, as phones now are built to last that long.
-
Several commenters noted that year-to-year improvements are now so incremental that changes are only noticeable from models that are three to four years old.
-
There are still power users who upgrade every year, because they need the new features for work or other specific uses.
Stress less. Track more.
See the full picture: savings, debt, investments and more. Smarter money moves start in our app.
Is now the right time for a new iPhone?
Beautiful designs make the new models stand out, but your current iPhone probably is more than adequate.
In general, the hardware upgrades this year “seem pretty iterative,” says Lindwall.
“The average person probably won’t notice a huge difference between the iPhones of two years ago and these newest models.”
Here’s what to ask yourself before you decide to upgrade.
Getting a new color probably isn’t a good enough reason to upgrade. Consider how your current cell phone is holding up. Pay attention to the speed and battery life. An older phone may have a tough time keeping up with system updates.
Consumer Reports members report battery life degradation as one of the top reasons for replacing their phones, Lindwall says.
But there are places that will replace your phone’s battery relatively cheaply.
“We generally encourage folks to get as much life out of their investments — tech or otherwise — as possible,” Lindwall says.
“The right choice depends on the individual,” Robert Finley, a certified financial planner in Chicago, said in an email interview.
As a rule, he wouldn’t recommend buying a luxury item like the latest iPhone if it requires you to take on any debt.
Still, joy is important and a new phone can be just the ticket, for a time.
“Ask yourself which option will bring the most satisfaction — not just in the moment, but also when you look back five years from now,” Finley said.
He recently upgraded his older phone to a newer iPhone and kind of regrets it.
“The new phone has connection issues and the AI features are more hassle than help,” he said.
“Honestly, I’d go back to my 12 if I could.”
Make your iPhone purchase more cost-effective
iPhones are like Toyotas. If you take care of yours, you should have plenty of resell and trade-in options after a couple years of use. The money you get can go toward a new model.
My iPhone 13 Pro Max has a current trade-in value of $320 at Apple, for example. But it would still cost $879 for the orange iPhone 17 Pro Max I want, and that’s before taxes.
Lindwall recommends certified refurbished models, given how high-quality and durable phones have become. Apple has its own refurbished program, for example, and there are reputable third-party resellers as well. Just make sure there’s a return policy.
“If you don’t care about having every new feature, it can be a good way to save $300 or $400 off the cost of something new,” she says.
As for me, I think a brand new iPhone would bring me joy, but I can’t afford it. I wouldn’t have to take on debt, but I would have to take from my savings. I also don’t need it. If I wait until next June, I’ll hit four years with my current model, which still runs like a top.
* Reddit is an online forum where users share their thoughts in “threads” on various topics. The popular site includes plenty of discussion on financial subjects, so we sifted through Reddit forums to get a pulse check on how long users keep their iPhones. People post anonymously, so we cannot confirm their individual experiences or circumstances.
Inset photo courtesy of Apple.
