Apple iPhone Price Drops: When to Buy Previous Models for Savings
Apple recently launched its latest iPhone series, sparking consumer interest. While many anticipate the newest model, others wait for price reductions on older versions. Data analyzed by Zap Group from the last three iPhone launches (15 through 17) suggests that the release of a new generation does not immediately cause a significant price drop for the previous model. Instead, price erosion occurs gradually over time, with the most substantial decreases happening within the first month after the new device's release.
According to Zap Group's analysis, the price of the iPhone 16 Pro did not significantly decrease after the iPhone 17's market entry; in fact, it saw a slight increase of about 100 shekels in November 2025, two months post-launch. This indicates that price reductions are more a function of time passing than the launch event itself. Over a full year, iPhone 15 and 16 models experienced price drops of up to 35% from their original launch prices. The initial month saw decreases ranging from 4.6% to 10.1% for 256GB models.
Gadi Avitan, Zap Group's VP of E-commerce, advises that the optimal purchase time depends on the desired model. For those eyeing the upcoming iPhone 18, waiting approximately 4-6 weeks after its launch could save hundreds of shekels. However, for those looking to buy a previous model, waiting for the next generation's launch solely for a price drop is not recommended, as the decrease is gradual. Older models may offer a better balance of price, performance, and currency.
The data also reveals a significant acceleration in the adoption rate of new iPhone models among Israelis. While the iPhone 15 launch set a baseline demand index of 100, the iPhone 16 reached only 81, whereas the iPhone 17 soared to a record high of 210, nearly double the previous two generations. The transition from older to newer models has also sped up considerably; the iPhone 17 surpassed previous demand levels in less than three weeks, three times faster than the iPhone 16.
Among sub-models, the Pro Max version remains the preferred choice for Israelis. For the iPhone 17, it accounted for over half of all demand, compared to 46.7% for the iPhone 15 and 40.2% for the iPhone 16. Conversely, the standard Pro model's market share decreased to 21.9% with the iPhone 17, down from 36.3% with the iPhone 15.
