For starters, Milenkovic says the decision to buy now or wait for a new iPhone really depends on your current phone. “If you already have the iPhone 11 then you should definitely wait until 2021,” Milenkovic says. “The first reason is that the iPhone 12 isn't such a big upgrade to its predecessor unless you are going for an iPhone mini for its neat size, capabilities and lower price tag.”
Most importantly though, Milenkovic advises waiting until 2021 to make sure that 5G is properly integrated and optimized. “The iPhone 12 is 5G compatible but it will drain your battery much quicker, not to mention that it's likely to be buggier and unable to deliver the full 5G experience in its current incarnation,” he says.
The longer you wait, the more likely it is that any issues that creep up with the new iPhone will be resolved, saving you the frustration of dealing with a buggy phone.
“In 2021, updates will likely take care of most bugs and functionality, so it shouldn't be an issue in the long term,” Milenkovic says. “In any case, it's better to save yourself the headache and the hassle of going through ‘5G beta testing’ for Apple.”
If you can hold on just a little bit longer, the next iPhone update appears promising.
“Next year's iPhone 13 should come more 5G-ready and with an improved battery to boot, so waiting it out is what I would personally recommend,” Milenkovic says. “It should have other notable improvements such as a 120Hz refresh, mmWave outside of the US and with some luck USB-C as well.”
Good things come to those who wait — even when it comes to devices.