Buy the iPhone 17 or wait for iPhone 18? News and what to expect from Apple this year
by Vanessa Ricca, on Jun 15, 2026iPhone 17 or iPhone 18? That is the question. No, it's not a Shakespeare quote, but it's definitely a dilemma that millions of users are wrestling with as the next generation of iPhone draws closer. This year, though, the choice is actually much simpler than in previous years. Here's why...
iPhone 17 or 18: which one actually makes sense in 2026?
Is the iPhone 18 really coming out?
Let's start here, because the answer might surprise you: the base iPhone 18 model is NOT expected to launch in 2026. 😲
Disappointing, right? Well, the rules at Apple are changing, and according to the latest leaks, we'll have to wait until 2027 for the iPhone 18 to hit the market.
So there won't be an iPhone 18 series this year at all?
According to the most recent leaks, Apple could be about to shake up the traditional iPhone launch calendar starting with the iPhone 18 line-up. The company is reportedly planning to separate the debut of the "premium" models from the standard versions, spreading the launches across two different periods of the year.
In autumn 2026, we should see:
- iPhone 18 Pro
- iPhone 18 Pro Max
- the first ever iPhone Foldable
The more affordable models, on the other hand, would be pushed back to spring 2027. These include the standard iPhone 18, a possible iPhone 18e, and perhaps a new generation of the iPhone Air.
Is a foldable iPhone finally coming in 2026? It looks like it, and it might be called "iPhone Ultra"
One of the most anticipated announcements of 2026 is Apple's very first foldable iPhone. Several analysts believe Apple could unveil it alongside the iPhone 18 Pro models, positioning it as the most exclusive and expensive device in the entire line-up. The final name is still up in the air, but a number of well-informed tech blogs suggest it could be marketed as iPhone Ultra, sitting alongside the Pro and Pro Max as Apple's new ultra-premium option.
iPhone 18 series: what's changing and what are the expected prices?
iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max: features and price
Based on leaks so far, it'll be the Pro models that kick off the new generation of Apple smartphones in September 2026. iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max are expected to bring several upgrades, including a more compact Dynamic Island thanks to under-display Face ID, a new A20 Pro chip built on a 2-nanometre process, improved cameras, and better energy efficiency.
iPhone 18 Pro Max in particular could feature the largest battery Apple has ever put in a smartphone, with a capacity exceeding 5,000 mAh according to some supply chain sources.
On pricing, analysts expect Apple to keep US starting prices largely unchanged:
- iPhone 18 Pro: from $1,099 (roughly €1,249-1,299 in Ireland)
- iPhone 18 Pro Max: from $1,199 (roughly €1,499 in Ireland)
As always, Irish prices tend to run higher than US ones due to VAT, taxes, and distribution costs.
Foldable iPhone (or iPhone Ultra): how much could it cost?
As mentioned, multiple leaks suggest Apple is ready to launch a foldable device alongside the iPhone 18 Pro models. And the price tag would match its premium positioning. The most credible estimates point to a price above $2,000, which could translate to somewhere between €2,299 and €2,499 in Ireland, depending on the configuration. If confirmed, it would be the most expensive iPhone Apple has ever launched.
iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max colours: is Dark Cherry on the way?
There are also some design rumours doing the rounds. According to the latest reports on MacRumors, Apple is reportedly testing four colours for iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max:
- Light Blue (similar to the current Mist Blue on iPhone 17)
- Dark Gray
- Silver
- Dark Cherry, a deep red shade set to be the standout colour of the range
For the rumoured foldable iPhone Ultra, Apple might go for a more understated palette, with Silver, White, and Indigo finishes. Since these are still prototypes in development, some colours may change or be dropped before the official launch.
iPhone 18 Pro colours: is Dark Cherry on the way?
Why iPhone 17 is the smarter choice in 2026
And this brings us back to the original question: is it better to wait for iPhone 18 or buy an iPhone 17 now?
This year, as we said, the answer is simpler than usual. If the rumours turn out to be true, Apple won't be releasing a "standard" iPhone 18 in 2026, and there won't be a new entry-level model either. The stars of the new line-up will be the iPhone 18 Pro, iPhone 18 Pro Max, and the first-ever foldable "Ultra" iPhone.
In other words: the models coming in 2026 are aimed squarely at people who want the absolute latest tech and have a very generous budget. Between innovative displays, increasingly advanced cameras, next-gen chips, and prices that will comfortably exceed €1,200 (and potentially hit or surpass €2,500 for the foldable), the 2026 range is more premium-focused than ever.
The smart option for people who don't want to overspend on an iPhone
For most people, iPhone 17 is likely the sweet spot. It offers excellent performance, years of guaranteed software updates, top-tier cameras, and everything you'd expect from an Apple flagship, but at a price that's far more accessible than what's coming.
Put simply, if you just want a great iPhone that'll serve you well for the next few years, there's no real reason to hold out until 2027 for the standard iPhone 18. Buying an iPhone 17 now is the more rational move, especially when you consider that the most significant upgrades in the upcoming range will be locked behind the most expensive models, aimed at a niche audience willing to spend a lot, a LOT more.
iPhone 17 in 2026: new, used, or refurbished?
Now that we've established that iPhone 17 is the most sensible pick for most people, the next question is which version to get. If you want to get the most out of your budget, refurbished is hands down the most interesting option, and on refurbed you can currently find it for under €700.
A refurbished iPhone 17 lets you get your hands on one of Apple's most recent smartphones at a significantly lower price than buying new, without giving up high performance, great cameras, or years of software updates.
At a time when Apple seems to be pushing harder than ever into premium, high-priced territory, choosing a refurbished device is a smart, sustainable, and cost-effective move.
For most people, the real deal of 2026 isn't buying the latest iPhone fresh off the shelf. It's getting a refurbished iPhone 17 and saving hundreds of euros, with guarantees you simply wouldn't get buying second-hand.
Other alternatives worth considering
If iPhone 17 isn't quite right for you, these models are also great picks in the refurbished market in 2026, thanks to their outstanding value for money:
Depending on your budget, you can get excellent performance and years of software updates while spending less than you would on the latest models.
👉 For a full comparison of the best refurbished iPhone models in 2026, check out our guide: Which iPhone should you buy in 2026? The best options for every budget
Here are all the benefits of buying a refurbished iPhone on refurbed:
When you buy your refurbished iPhone on refurbed, you get:
- Up to 40% vs. the new price
- 30-day free trial
- Minimum 12-month warranty
- Shipping and returns included
- Quality tested and guaranteed by experts
- Option to pay in instalments
- Option to sell or trade in your old smartphone
One last thought: environmental impact matters
Is it really worth replacing a perfectly working smartphone just because a new one came out with a slightly different colour or a minor design tweak?
In recent years, we've started treating tech like fast fashion: always-new products, ever-shorter replacement cycles, and purchases driven more by wanting the latest thing than by any real need. But every new iPhone comes at a cost that goes beyond the price tag: it requires raw materials, energy, transportation, and industrial production.
Choosing a refurbished iPhone means opting out of that cycle. According to refurbed's own data, a refurbished device can save up to 83% of CO2 emissions compared to a new one. Because the real question isn't whether you need the latest iPhone. It's whether you really need another one to be manufactured.
👉 Want to learn more about the environmental footprint of refurbished tech vs. new tech? Take a look at our web app: Environmental Footprint Calculator
So, iPhone 17 or iPhone 18? 🤌
Back to where we started. The answer, at least for 2026, is clearer than expected: for the vast majority of users, there's no point in waiting. Apple's 2026 line-up is all in on the premium segment, with prices that few people are willing or able to pay, especially when the main upgrade boils down to a cooler colour or a slightly smaller notch. iPhone 17, especially in its refurbished version, remains the most balanced, smart, and sustainable choice of the year.
We hope this has helped you settle the dilemma we started with. If the answer is yes, you know what to do: check out the refurbished iPhone 17s available on refurbed, find the model that's right for you, and save without compromise.
👉 Explore refurbished iPhones on refurbed
