The optimal moment to acquire an iPhone is often a topic of interest.
Next week, Apple is scheduled to launch their new iPhone models, including the iPhone 16, with pre-orders starting right after the unveil. However, those who can hold off a bit longer could potentially save a substantial sum, as previous trends suggest.
Individuals intent on purchasing the iPhone 16 can pre-order it when it's announced, but delaying a bit might be financially beneficial. Pricing details haven't been disclosed yet, but it's unlikely that the debuting iPhone 16 models on September 6 will be less expensive than the current ones. For instance, the cheapest iPhone 15 last year was around 950 euros, while the most budget-friendly Pro model cost around 1200 euros.
In the Apple Store, prices generally remain steady until the updated model is out. On the other hand, third-party online retailers often entice customers with discounts shortly after the new iPhones launch, according to Guenstiger.de.
Price decrease for the basic model
Guenstiger.de analyzed the price history of Apple's current smartphones and discovered that standard models typically decrease in price more quickly than the Pro versions. This could be due to the higher demand for the Pro duo and the need for boosting sales of the standard models.
Following its release, the price of the standard model dropped by over 100 euros to 835 euros within a month, representing a 12 percent decrease. After four months, the base model's price dropped to 730 euros, a 20 percent decrease.
The iPhone 15 Plus, originally priced around 1100 euros, saw a smaller and slower price decrease in its first month, with a 8% drop. A month later, the standard large-sized model was offered at 975 euros, representing a 11% decrease. After half a year, its price dropped by more than 20% to 872 euros.
Pro duo drops 22% after seven months
The Pro duo maintained its original price during its initial month. However, the smaller Pro variant saw a 10% discount after two months, while the Max variant had a 9% reduction.
Those who waited longer could enjoy even greater savings: After seven months, both Pro variants were 22% cheaper compared to their initial prices. The iPhone 15 Pro was available for 935 euros instead of 1200 euros, while the Pro Max could be bought for 1130 euros instead of 1450 euros.
Guenstiger.de suggests that the period surrounding the annual "Black Friday" on November 29 could be an ideal time to purchase an iPhone 16 at a reduced price. Although it wasn't common for newcomers to be offered discounts last year, their predecessors often saw significant price drops. This could be due to the traditionally American shopping event before Christmas. Regardless, it's always true that new iPhone prices cause a decrease in the prices of older models.
Delaying your purchase for more than 12 months could result in an even cheaper iPhone 16. However, there might come a point where it's no longer worth investing in an older Apple smartphone. Although the technology remains high-quality for an extended period, the devices stop receiving operating system updates after five or six years, and some new features may not be accessible. This should always be factored in.
After analyzing previous price trends, Guenstiger.de recommends that those interested in the iPhone 16 consider waiting, as other models have typically seen significant price decreases within a month of release. For example, the standard iPhone 15 dropped by over 100 euros within the first month.
Moreover, other consumers have benefited from substantial savings by waiting longer, with the standard iPhone 15 seeing a 20% price decrease after four months. Similarly, the Pro duo saw a 22% price reduction after seven months.
