Apple just unveiled its newest toys last September 9, 2025 — the iPhone 17 lineup, plus fresh Apple Watches, new AirPods Pro, and the release date for iOS 26. As always, the big question is: what’s new and is it worth your cash?
New Models & Key Features
iPhone 17
- 6.3-inch Super Retina XDR OLED, 120Hz ProMotion
- Always-On display
- A19 chip
- Dual 48MP “Fusion” rear cameras
- 18MP selfie cam with Center Stage
- Base storage: 256 GB
iPhone Air
- Ultra-thin body (~5.6mm) with titanium frame
- A19 Pro chip
- Pro-level camera upgrades
- 120Hz + Always-On display
- Base storage: 256 GB
iPhone 17 Pro
- Triple 48MP cameras with advanced zoom
- Bigger battery
- Pro hardware (camera controls, USB upgrades)
- Premium finish
iPhone 17 Pro Max
- Most powerful zoom system
- Biggest battery yet
- Up to 2 TB storage
- All premium upgrades packed in
iPhone 16e (budget-friendly)
- A18 chip
- 48MP main camera
- 6.1-inch display
- Stripped-down features, lower price
Prices in the Philippines (base versions only)
- iPhone 16e – ₱39,990
- iPhone 16 – ₱49,990
- iPhone 17 – ₱57,990
- iPhone Air – ₱72,990
- iPhone 17 Pro – ₱79,990
How Much Do You Need to Save?
The cheapest new model is the iPhone 16e at ₱39,990.
- Save ₱5,000/month → ~8 months
- Save ₱10,000/month → ~4 months
- Save ₱3,000/month → ~13–14 months
Now, if you’re eyeing the sleek orange iPhone 17 Pro at ₱79,990, here’s the reality check:
- Cebu City minimum wage = ₱540/day
- You’ll need about 148 working days (around 7 months) if you literally saved your entire wage with zero expenses. Ouch.
Experts say the lineup doesn’t feel like a massive leap, aside from the thinnest iPhone ever (iPhone Air) and the flashy orange iPhone 17 Pro.
So the real question is: upgrade now or wait it out?
