Analyst Urges Buying $799 iPhone 17 Before Sept. 9 as iPhone 18 Slips to March 2027
Updated
Updated · CNET · Aug 29
Analyst Urges Buying $799 iPhone 17 Before Sept. 9 as iPhone 18 Slips to March 2027
3 articles · Updated · CNET · Aug 29
Summary
$799 iPhone 17 is being recommended as a buy now rather than a wait, because Apple is expected to unveil only higher-end models on Sept. 9 while the standard iPhone 18 is rumored to arrive in March 2027.
120Hz display, Ceramic Shield 2, an 18-megapixel selfie camera and dual 48-megapixel rear cameras have kept the iPhone 17 competitive, while Samsung's Galaxy S26 and Google's Pixel 11 both start at $899.
Battery life remains a strength: in CNET's 45-minute test, the iPhone 17 fell from 100% to 98%, tying the iPhone 17 Pro and ranking behind only the 17 Pro Max over the past year.
iOS 26 bugs — including missed calls, alarm-volume issues and keyboard lag — have hurt the experience, but the iOS 27 public beta is already fixing some controls and stability problems.
The buying case also rests on price risk: Apple has held the base iPhone at $799 since 2020, but rising component costs and expected Pro price hikes could push entry-level pricing higher.