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Why You Shouldn’t Buy a New iPhone Now
The iPhone 12 cometh
By Sascha Brodsky Sascha Brodsky Senior Tech Reporter Macalester College Columbia University Sascha Brodsky is a freelance journalist based in New York City. His writing has appeared in The Atlantic, the Guardian, the Los Angeles Times and many other publications. lifewire's editorial guidelines Published on October 12, 2020 01:32PM EDT Tweet Share Email Tweet Share Email Phones Mobile Phones Internet & Security Computers & Tablets Smart Life Home Theater & Entertainment Software & Apps Social Media Streaming Gaming Key Takeaways
The latest iPhone models are expected to be revealed this week by Apple.A smaller model is rumored to be in the lineup, as well as lower prices.Support for 5G is a highly anticipated feature for many users, although 5G service is limited at the moment. Georgijevic / Getty Images With the rumored imminent release of the iPhone 12, experts recommend holding off on the purchase of a new iPhone. Apple is holding an event on October 13, during which reports say the latest iPhone models will be unveiled. The range of iPhones is expected to include 5.4-inch, 6.1-inch, and 6.7-inch screen sizes and will sport faster processors, 5G, and OLED displays. The new models may even be cheaper than the current generation with prices possibly ranging from $699 to $1099. "As soon as the iPhone 12 is launched by Apple the price of older iPhones will tumble," Sarah McConomy, COO of phone trade-in site SellCell, said in an email interview. "This is pretty much the law of smartphone depreciation. "I feel the launch of the iPhone 12 is actually worth the wait and an upgrade. For the first time in a few years, Apple seems to have [made some really] big changes and will be bringing developments to customers not available in previous launches." Faster Better Displays
Support for 5G will be the killer feature for many users. It will let the new devices connect to 5G networks that are much faster than 4G LTE networks. "While 5G support in the US hasn't reached the same levels of other countries, it will," Sean Campbell, CEO and founder of technology research firm Cascade Insights, said in an email interview. "Anyone with an iPhone 11 or older will soon feel like they are living on dial-up. And who wants that?" I feel the launch of the iPhone 12 is actually worth the wait and an upgrade. Just as the sun rises in the morning, the new iPhones are expected to be faster than previous generations. Rumor has it the iPhone 12 models will have an Apple-designed A14 chip that could bring both speed and efficiency advancements. Eeking every last bit of battery life out of the new phones will be important as 5G uses more power than older networks. What exactly the displays will look like is another big question. The new models will all reportedly feature OLED Super Retina XDR display technology that provides better image quality and lower power consumption, regardless of price. Some rumors indicate models could support the 120Hz refresh rate that allows smoother video watching. Upgrade Frenzy
Not everyone, however, is susceptible to the lure of the latest tech specs. "The influx in pricing, and the fact that most upgrades are not as groundbreaking as they used to be, make me hold off on purchasing new iPhones until they’ve been on the market for at least a few months," Andy Michael, founder of VPN Testing, said in an email interview. "I would recommend purchasing the latest iPhone with the best deal available," he continued. "Chances are it will have all of the features you need to do what you need and should cost you quite a bit less." tolgart / Getty Images Tavis Lochhead, manager of the review aggregator site RecoRank, is also on the fence about buying a new phone. "I personally like to wait a few years before upgrading my phone," said Lockhead in an email interview. "If I bought an 11 earlier this year, I would personally hold off as the 11s are awesome but would also be quite envious of those with the 12." Bigger Isn t Always Better
Size does matter for some users, and the rumor mill is buzzing with news that the new iPhones could include a smaller model. "After using the iPhone XS Max for quite a while, I realized that big phones are not my cup of tea," Atta Ur Rehman, a digital content marketer, said in an email interview. "If the rumors are true and they come up with a mini version of the iPhone 12 with the same edge to edge screen in a compact body, I will upgrade without thinking twice." If the rumors prove to be correct, it would seem like Apple is trying to cover all their bases with the new iPhones. Sometimes the best phone is the one you already have. For those who want more, though, keep an eye out for Apple’s big reveal. Was this page helpful? Thanks for letting us know! Get the Latest Tech News Delivered Every Day Subscribe Tell us why! Other Not enough details Hard to understand Submit More from Lifewire Why USB-C iPhones Could Help Make Your Life Easier New iPad Pro 2022: Price, Release Date, Specs, and News The Foldable iPhone: News and Expected Price, Release Date, Specs; and More Rumors iPhone 13: Release Date, Specs, Price, and News Nintendo Switch Pro: News, Rumors, and Expected Price, Release Date, and Specs iPhone 15: News, Rumors, and Estimated Price, Release Date, and Specs New iPad mini Pro: News and Expected Price, Release Date, Specs; and More Rumors Which iPhone Should You Buy? When Does the New iPhone Come Out? Google Pixel 7 & 7 Pro: News, Price, Release Date, Specs & More iPhone SE Plus: News and Expected Price, Release Date, Specs; and More Rumors What You Need to Know About the True Cost of an iPhone Apple Glasses: News and Expected Price, Release Date, Specs; and More Rumors The Galaxy Note 21 Is Dead: Here's What It Could Have Been OnePlus 10: News, Price, Release Date Estimate, Features, and Rumors Apple iPhone 12 Review: The Best New iPhone in Years Newsletter Sign Up Newsletter Sign Up Newsletter Sign Up Newsletter Sign Up Newsletter Sign Up By clicking “Accept All Cookies”, you agree to the storing of cookies on your device to enhance site navigation, analyze site usage, and assist in our marketing efforts. Cookies Settings Accept All Cookies