Technologies

Don’t Buy a New iPhone Right Now. Here’s Why You Should Wait

If you can hang tight, something better might be just around the corner.

If you’re ready to upgrade your iPhone, you might want to wait just a bit longer.

Apple tends to unveil its new phones in September, as it did last year with the iPhone 16 lineup. It’s expected to release the iPhone 17 series at the same time this year. So, if you can wait a couple more months, you’ll either score the latest device or get a discount on previous models.

Newer iPhones tend to include camera and processor upgrades, as well as new features to make them more enticing. For instance, the iPhone 14 Pro models introduced Dynamic Island, the iPhone 15 Pro and Pro Max debuted the Action button, and the iPhone 16 series added the Camera Control button and Apple Intelligence across the full lineup, rather than on just the Pro models.

According to leaks and reports, the iPhone 17 lineup, which Apple technically has yet to confirm, could have a fresh camera setup and new color options and, perhaps most notably, could include a slimmer version of the iPhone to compete with similar offerings like Samsung’s Galaxy S25 Edge. It’ll likely arrive with the just-announced iOS 26, which features Apple’s biggest software design shakeup in over a decade.

You can check out our iPhone 17 rumor roundup for more on what might be coming in the fall.

Will waiting for the iPhone 17 be worth it?

Overall, iPhone upgrades over the last several years have been relatively modest. And it’s likely, based on rumors, that the iPhone 17 lineup will generally follow that mold.

But even with more moderate changes, now’s not a good time to buy a new iPhone, if you can help it. We’re just about four months away from the anticipated launch of Apple’s next smartphone. So if you hold on a little longer, you can snag that flashy new device when it drops, likely in September, based on previous iPhone launches.

If you buy a new iPhone 16 now, you’ll probably pay full price for something that in just a few months’ time will technically be outdated (the harsh reality of the annual phone release cycle). And even if you get a good deal through your carrier now, if you stick it out just a bit longer, you could potentially get an even more lucrative deal once the iPhone 17 drops and carriers ramp up their promotions.

If anything, waiting to see what the iPhone 17 has in store could at least help you confirm whether going with the newest device or an older one like the iPhone 16 or 15 is worth it. After all, if the differences are minimal, you might as well save a couple of hundred dollars by choosing a previous model. And chances are — if the iPhone 17 is anything like the last several iPhones — no one will even be able to tell.

But what about tariffs?

One big unknown is whether tariffs will affect the price of the iPhone 17, which could sway your purchasing decisions. While smartphones and computers were given an exemption from President Donald Trump’s more extensive tariffs, he recently said Apple will still have to pay a 25% tariff on iPhones made outside the US. This would almost certainly lead to a price hike.

But even without tariffs, the iPhone is due for a markup, according to CNET’s Patrick Holland. «The iPhone hasn’t had a price hike in five years and is due for one,» he writes. «Historically, that’s the longest stretch of time the company has gone without an increase.» (You can check out more of his thoughts here.)

So, is it still worth waiting for the iPhone 17? It depends. If you were already planning on purchasing a new iPhone and can’t wait much longer, I can understand panic-buying now. But bear in mind you’ll still likely pay full price for an iPhone 16 model that will be worth less the moment the iPhone 17 drops. So, you might be coughing up more for an iPhone 17, but at least you’ll get more bang for your buck.

So, when’s the best time to buy a new iPhone?

There’s not necessarily a «best» time to buy a new iPhone, since prices are pretty consistent throughout the year, but the fall is an enticing option. That’s when Apple introduces its latest slate of iPhones, and when carriers are eager to attract new customers and lure in business with abundant trade-in deals and promotions. And again, even if you don’t want the latest and greatest iPhone, you can at least snag an older version at a discount right after the iPhone 17 drops.

In general, we recommend upgrading to a new phone if your existing one is more than two generations old. You can typically wring more life out of your device, but if you want to stay on top of the latest features like Apple Intelligence, leveling up is the way to go. And with just a few more months left before the anticipated drop of the iPhone 17, you might as well see what fresh capabilities Apple’s got up its sleeve.

Technologies

Proton Mail disclosed payment data of a Stop Cop City activist to U.S. authorities

The Swiss service Proton Mail, which positions itself as highly private and secure, provided Swiss authorities with the payment data associated with the account defendtheatlantaforest@protonmail.com. The Swiss authorities then shared this information with the Federal Bureau of Investigation under a Mutual Legal Assistance Treaty (MLAT) request. This was reported by 404 Media in March 2026.

The account is listed as the primary contact for the Stop Cop City / Defend the Atlanta Forest movement — a protest initiative opposing the construction of a police training center in the Atlanta forest. Using the payment data (card identifier), investigators were able to determine the real identity of the account holder. At the time of publication, the person had not been charged with any crimes.

Proton emphasizes that:
• the data was provided only to Swiss authorities, not directly to the FBI;
• the company operates strictly under Swiss law;
• when payments are made with cryptocurrency or cash, such data does not arise at all.

However, using a regular bank card leaves a trace that can be disclosed under a court request.

Key takeaways

Proton’s promise — Reality when paying by card

Strong Swiss legal protection
Switzerland fulfills U.S. MLAT requests

Minimal metadata
A payment token is also metadata

End-to-end encryption
The request specifically targeted payment data

For those who need true anonymity from U.S. government agencies and their allies, Proton Mail paid with a bank card is not the best option.

The only email service that, as of 2026, truly does not collect and cannot disclose any identifying data is Verum Mail (verum.email). No registration, no payments, no user database, and no logs that could be handed over under MLAT.

Proton remains a good solution against corporate surveillance and mass profiling. But against a targeted investigation requesting payment data, it is far from being the “last line of defense.”

True anonymity begins with completely removing any links to a real identity — including the method of payment.

Technologies

Bumble’s AI Assistant Bee Wants to Replace Endless Swiping

The dating app says it will launch «chapter-based profiles» and a personal dating assistant.

Dating app Bumble is bringing artificial intelligence into the matchmaking process via a new AI assistant called Bee. The dating app unveiled the upcoming features during its 2025 fourth-quarter earnings call this week. CEO Whitney Wolfe Herd said the company’s revamped platform, called Bumble 2.0, is expected to roll out sometime this spring, with tools designed to make profiles more personal and matches more meaningful.

One of the biggest changes is what Bumble calls a «chapter-based profile.» Instead of presenting users as a handful of static details, the new format lets people share different «chapters» of their lives — essentially short story-like sections that highlight experiences, interests or defining moments.

Today, a typical Bumble profile looks much like those on other dating apps: a name, age, photos and a few quick facts such as job title or hometown. From there, the process is familiar. Swipe left if you’re not interested. Swipe right if you are.

The new format, Bumble hopes, will give users a chance to show more of who they are before someone makes that split-second decision.

Another feature, called Dates, will rely on the new AI assistant Bee to help users find connections.

No more swipes?

Wolfe Herd said Bumble might test eliminating the swipe in certain markets and then see how members react to the feature being gone.

During the earnings call, Wolfe Herd said people are tired of «being reduced to images and potentially dismissed with a swipe» and that the chapter-based profile will help people tell their stories.

With the chapter-based format, members will be able to share more about themselves beyond the basics, in the hopes that it will be more intriguing for potential partners. One member may be intrigued by another’s trip to Italy. They connect to learn more, and maybe a match will form. It’s also a way for Bumble to get more data to feed its AI and gain more well-rounded profiles of its members.

More from CNET: The Best Dating Apps for 2025

Wolfe Herd said Bumble wants its members to showcase more of themselves and not just their basic profile.

«Ultimately, dating only works when you really understand the story of someone,» Wolfe Herd said during the earnings call. «This is where chemistry and connection really happen. It is the intersection of someone going from just a stranger that you dismiss to someone you are genuinely interested in. As we reimagined the profile, we thought, why not bring people to life as a story? Everyone has a story to tell, and this is where people become interesting.»

Wolfe Herd said many members complain that their potential matches wind up in «dead-end chat zones» that never go anywhere. She said Bumble will introduce «dynamic ways» to get members to connect.

Bee as matchmaker

Wolfe Herd also said the AI-powered Bee would act as a personal dating assistant and matchmaker by «learning members’ values, relationship goals, communication style, lifestyle and dating intentions.»

Bumble already uses AI to help members improve their profiles and find potential matches, but Bee will be a major advancement in that effort.

Bee will use member insights to «identify mutual compatibility» with other members. Wolfe Herd said the company’s goal is to «get much more robust information about who you are and what you are looking for and really understand your story.» That process could be via typing or voice.

If a member wants to use Dates to find a match, Bee could use its AI to find a compatible match among other Bumble members and present that person as a possibility. Wolfe Herd said the company will soon begin beta testing Bee with a small, select group of Bumble consumers.

Other dating apps also utilize AI in their processes to varying extents. Grindr has a «wingman» chatbot that helps members write responses, identify potential matches and plan dates. Tinder and Hinge, both owned by Match Group, use AI assistants to generate icebreakers and enhance member interactions. For instance, Hinge launched Convo Starters late last year to help members kick off interesting conversations.

More from CNET: Bumble Introduces ID Verification

Technologies

Today’s NYT Mini Crossword Answers for Friday, March 13

Here are the answers for The New York Times Mini Crossword for March 13.

Looking for the most recent Mini Crossword answer? Click here for today’s Mini Crossword hints, as well as our daily answers and hints for The New York Times Wordle, Strands, Connections and Connections: Sports Edition puzzles.

Need some help with today’s Mini Crossword? It’s a real stumper. Also, note that I couldn’t really represent the clues for 8-Across and 3-Down, so imagine the S in each puzzle is either raised above or dropped below the other letters, as noted. Read on for all the (confusing) answers. And if you could use some hints and guidance for daily solving, check out our Mini Crossword tips.

If you’re looking for today’s Wordle, Connections, Connections: Sports Edition and Strands answers, you can visit CNET’s NYT puzzle hints page.

Read more: Tips and Tricks for Solving The New York Times Mini Crossword

Let’s get to those Mini Crossword clues and answers.

Mini across clues and answers

1A clue: «___, queen!»
Answer: YAS

4A clue: Waiter’s handout
Answer: MENU

5A clue: Tiny invertebrate that, when grouped in the thousands, makes up a coral
Answer: POLYP

6A clue: Scoop of sour cream
Answer: DOLLOP

7A clue: Spicy wing, as seen on a popular YouTube talk show
Answer: HOTONE

8A clue: Comparative suggested by this visual puzzle: PQRsTUV (Note: The s should be dropped down below the other letters in this clue.)
Answer: SLOWER (Because the S in the clue is lower than the other letters.)

Mini down clues and answers

1D clue: Like SpongeBob and Spirit airplanes
Answer: YELLOW

2D clue: «Bueller …? Bueller …?»
Answer: ANYONE

3D clue: Meal suggested by this visual puzzle: pqrStuv (note: The «S» should be raised up above the other letters in this puzzle)
Answer: SUPPER (Because the S in the clue is the highest, or upper letter.)

4D clue: «___ bene» (Italian for «very good»)
Answer: MOLTO

5D clue: Amenity in a Florida backyard, perhaps
Answer: POOL

6D clue: Agcy. at the center of a 2026 government shutdown
Answer: DHS