Apple recently launched the iPhone 16 series and it is now available for pre-order in India. If you are interested in buying the new iPhone 16, you can pre-reserve any of the models including iPhone 16, iPhone 16 Plus, iPhone 16 Pro, and iPhone 16 Pro Max by paying a token amount before the official sale. The official sale is scheduled to begin on September 20, 2024. While the series brings several new upgrades and features, as part of the launch sale, Apple is also offering attractive trade-in offers and no-cost EMI options to make it easier for users to upgrade.

However, with the price of the iPhone 16 starting at Rs 79,900 for the base model and going up to Rs 1,44,900 for the iPhone 16 Pro Max, the big question for many users is should they upgrade? Upgrading to an iPhone depends on the user’s interest, but there are some users who need to think about it immediately.

iPhone 16 series prices in India

The base model of the iPhone 16 starts at Rs 79,900 for the 128GB variant, while the iPhone 16 Plus starts at Rs 89,900. Both these models are available in a number of vibrant colours, including Black, Pink, Teal, Ultramarine, and White.

Talking about the premium, the iPhone 16 Pro is priced at Rs 1,19,900 for the 128GB base model and the iPhone 16 Pro Max starts at Rs 1,44,900 for the 256GB model. These models come in titanium colour finishes – Black Titanium, Desert Titanium, Natural Titanium, and White Titanium.

iPhone 16 pre-order offers

Interested buyers can avail a discount of Rs 5,000 by using American Express, Axis Bank or ICICI Bank cards. Additionally, Apple is offering an exchange value of up to Rs 67,500 against an old smartphone, which can significantly reduce the cost of upgrading. A no-cost EMI option of 3 to 6 months is also available, making the higher price points more manageable.

But is it worth upgrading to the iPhone 16? Well, it depends.

Who should upgrade to the iPhone 16 right away

If you’re using an older iPhone model such as the iPhone 5, iPhone 6 or iPhone 7, now’s the time to upgrade. Apple has made these devices obsolete in terms of software updates and security patches. This means that Apple no longer supports these models, leaving users exposed to vulnerabilities and unable to take advantage of the latest iOS features.

With the upgrade, the new iPhone 16 models that are powered by Apple’s latest processors will offer significantly faster performance, better battery life, and advanced AI features like Apple Intelligence (though won’t be available in local Indian languages ​​until 2025). If you’re still using one of these older models, upgrading will offer a smoother, more secure experience.

Additionally, users with a big performance boost like the iPhone 8, iPhone X, or iPhone XS may want to consider upgrading. Although these models are still technically supported, they are nearing the end of their lifecycle in terms of software updates. The iPhone 16 series not only offers a performance boost but also better cameras, improved battery life, and improved connectivity features including 5G.

Who can avoid upgrading to iPhone 16

If you have an iPhone 13 or later, including the iPhone 14 and iPhone 15 series, there may not be a big reason to upgrade right now. These iPhone models are still in their support lifecycle and continue to receive the latest iOS updates. For example, the iPhone 14 Pro models already offer great camera performance, 120Hz ProMotion displays, and excellent battery life. Unless you’re absolutely keen to use the latest technology, your current iPhone is more than capable of handling everything from multitasking to photography and gaming. Plus, if your current device is still working well and is supported by Apple, deferring an upgrade could save you money in the long run.