• Home
  • Latest
  • Fortune 500
  • Finance
  • Tech
  • Leadership
  • Lifestyle
  • Rankings
  • Multimedia
TechApple

Why You Should Wait Until September to Buy an iPhone

By
Don Reisinger
Don Reisinger
Down Arrow Button Icon
By
Don Reisinger
Don Reisinger
Down Arrow Button Icon
August 13, 2019, 7:30 PM ET

If you’re considering buying a new iPhone, August is probably not the best month.

Based on past history, Apple will likely introduce new phones in September that come with faster chips and better cameras than its current phones. And also based on precedent, the company will probably cut prices on older phones, giving price-conscious shoppers a chance to save money from what they would otherwise pay.

The advice comes as Apple reportedly plans to premiere three iPhone 11s in September. They’re slated to include faster processors and in at least, some models, a triple-lens camera array for taking better photographs.

If Apple follows its September pattern, it would be the sixth straight year that Apple introduces phones in September. Although the company is known to try to keep secrets, its rollout scheduled for new phones is fairly predictable.

Since 2012, Apple has debuted new iPhone every September. Occasionally, the company also introduces models in other months: the iPhone SE in March 2016, iPhone X in Nov. 2017, and last year’s iPhone XR in October.

Consumers who are currently considering buying the latest iPhone are therefore caught in a gray zone. This year’s phones— iPhone XR, iPhone XS, and iPhone XS Max—are the most recent phones, but within a few weeks, they’re likely to be supplanted by newer models.

Potentially, people who don’t care about owning recent models can save some money by waiting. After unveiling its new phones, some of which cost $1,000 or more, Apple usually discounts its older ones.

Last year, after showing off its new iPhones in September, Apple cut prices of its iPhone 7 by $100 to a starting price of $449. The price of Apple’s iPhone 8 model was slashed by $100 to a starting price of $599.

In 2017, when unveiling the iPhone 8 and iPhone X, Apple also cut prices of its older models. It reduced iPhone 7 by $100 to a starting price of $549.

And it was the same story in 2016, when Apple discounted its iPhone 6S models by $100 to a starting price of $449.

Apple hasn’t revealed its plans this year about any new iPhones, of course. And just because the company has done something in the past doesn’t mean it will in the future.

But chances are that more powerful iPhones are coming next month. Meanwhile, shoppers who feel that older models are good enough may consider waiting.

Either way, August isn’t the ideal month for buying an iPhone.

More must-read stories from Fortune:

—What you need to know about 8chan, the controversial site tied to the El Paso shooting

—Verizon’s unlimited plans are getting cheaper. Here’s what you should know

—What CEOs, bankers, and tech execs think about a coming recession

—How an alleged Amazon theft ring got the goods

—Boeing adds a second flight control computer to the 737 Max

Catch up with Data Sheet, Fortune‘s daily digest on the business of tech.

About the Author
By Don Reisinger
See full bioRight Arrow Button Icon

Latest in Tech

Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025

Most Popular

Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Fortune Secondary Logo
Rankings
  • 100 Best Companies
  • Fortune 500
  • Global 500
  • Fortune 500 Europe
  • Most Powerful Women
  • World's Most Admired Companies
  • See All Rankings
  • Lists Calendar
Sections
  • Finance
  • Fortune Crypto
  • Features
  • Leadership
  • Health
  • Commentary
  • Success
  • Retail
  • Mpw
  • Tech
  • Lifestyle
  • CEO Initiative
  • Asia
  • Politics
  • Conferences
  • Europe
  • Newsletters
  • Personal Finance
  • Environment
  • Magazine
  • Education
Customer Support
  • Frequently Asked Questions
  • Customer Service Portal
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms Of Use
  • Single Issues For Purchase
  • International Print
Commercial Services
  • Advertising
  • Fortune Brand Studio
  • Fortune Analytics
  • Fortune Conferences
  • Business Development
  • Group Subscriptions
About Us
  • About Us
  • Press Center
  • Work At Fortune
  • Terms And Conditions
  • Site Map
  • About Us
  • Press Center
  • Work At Fortune
  • Terms And Conditions
  • Site Map
  • Facebook icon
  • Twitter icon
  • LinkedIn icon
  • Instagram icon
  • Pinterest icon

Latest in Tech

duke
Big TechAmazon
Amazon Prime Video reaches deal with Duke Blue Devils to air 3 games per season
By The Associated PressMay 1, 2026
2 hours ago
valerie
CommentaryLayoffs
Tesla’s former HR chief: the AI layoff panic Is built on a false premise—here’s what most workers need to know
By Valerie Capers WorkmanMay 1, 2026
2 hours ago
AI
AIdisruption
Meet the Americans dismissing AI hype and using it with ingenuity: ‘The efficiencies gained out of it have been tremendous’
By Cathy Bussewitz and The Associated PressMay 1, 2026
2 hours ago
Tim Cook, chief executive officer of Apple Inc., inside the Steve Jobs Theater during an event at Apple Park campus in Cupertino, California, US.
AICFO Daily
Apple just posted $111 billion in revenue. Now its CFO and incoming CEO are teaming up
By Sheryl EstradaMay 1, 2026
2 hours ago
Exclusive: Startup Fun raises $72 million for the serious business of converting crypto and cash
CryptoVenture Capital
Exclusive: Startup Fun raises $72 million for the serious business of converting crypto and cash
By Ben WeissMay 1, 2026
3 hours ago
The fruit fly cancer researcher who built his first prototype out of lollipop sticks and straws
NewslettersTerm Sheet
The fruit fly cancer researcher who built his first prototype out of lollipop sticks and straws
By Allie GarfinkleMay 1, 2026
4 hours ago

Most Popular

China dominates the world's lithium supply. The U.S. just found 328 years' worth in its own backyard
North America
China dominates the world's lithium supply. The U.S. just found 328 years' worth in its own backyard
By Jake AngeloApril 30, 2026
21 hours ago
Apple cofounder Ronald Wayne—whose stake would be worth up to $400 billion had he not sold it in 1976—says that at 91, he has no regrets
Success
Apple cofounder Ronald Wayne—whose stake would be worth up to $400 billion had he not sold it in 1976—says that at 91, he has no regrets
By Preston ForeApril 27, 2026
4 days ago
Accenture's Julie Sweet blew up 50 years of company history. She says the hardest part is still ahead
Conferences
Accenture's Julie Sweet blew up 50 years of company history. She says the hardest part is still ahead
By Nick LichtenbergApril 29, 2026
2 days ago
America shot its arsenal empty in 2 wars. Now it needs Beijing's permission to reload
Commentary
America shot its arsenal empty in 2 wars. Now it needs Beijing's permission to reload
By Steve H. Hanke and Jeffrey WengApril 30, 2026
22 hours ago
Exclusive: America's largest Black-owned bank launches podcast with mission to unlock hidden shame holding back generational wealth
Banking
Exclusive: America's largest Black-owned bank launches podcast with mission to unlock hidden shame holding back generational wealth
By Nick LichtenbergApril 29, 2026
2 days ago
Google Cloud revenue is now 18% of Alphabet's business. Is this the beginning of the end of Google's search identity?
Big Tech
Google Cloud revenue is now 18% of Alphabet's business. Is this the beginning of the end of Google's search identity?
By Alexei OreskovicApril 29, 2026
2 days ago

© 2026 Fortune Media IP Limited. All Rights Reserved. Use of this site constitutes acceptance of our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy | CA Notice at Collection and Privacy Notice | Do Not Sell/Share My Personal Information
FORTUNE is a trademark of Fortune Media IP Limited, registered in the U.S. and other countries. FORTUNE may receive compensation for some links to products and services on this website. Offers may be subject to change without notice.