Deciding whether to sink over a thousand euro into an iPhone 16 Pro in 2025 feels different than it did last September. Between early discounts, iPhone 17 rumours, and Irish network changes on the horizon, the timing matters more than usual. This guide weighs up current deals from Eir and Vodafone, the phone’s real staying power, and whether waiting actually saves you anything.

Current price in Ireland: €1,119 (retail) · Best deal seen: €699 (Technog.ie) · Release: September 2024 · Chip: A18 Pro · Camera: 48 MP + 48 MP ultrawide · Display: 6.3-inch OLED

Quick snapshot

1Confirmed facts
2What’s unclear
3Timeline signal
4What’s next

Here are the key specifications that define the iPhone 16 Pro’s hardware across storage options.

Spec Value
Processor A18 Pro (3 nm)
Rear camera 48 MP (f/1.78) + 48 MP ultrawide + 12 MP telephoto (5x)
Front camera 12 MP (f/1.9)
Battery life Up to 22 hours video playback
Weight 199 grams
Water resistance IP68 (6 m up to 30 min)

Is the iPhone 16 Pro Still Worth It?

Three specs matter most when answering that: the chip, the camera, and the software promise. The A18 Pro is a 3-nanometre chip that Apple says delivers a 15% faster CPU than the A17 Pro. Tom’s Guide calls the iPhone 16 Pro “arguably the best flagship phone under $1,000” — though that’s a US price reference. In Ireland, the retail price remains €1,119 according to Apple Ireland (official Irish pricing page).

Current pricing and discounts

The implication: six months after launch, discounts of roughly 37% off retail are real — but only from independent retailers, not Apple directly.

Performance and camera highlights

What this means: for everyday photography and video, this is the most capable iPhone camera system in a non-Max body.

Long-term software support

Apple typically supports iPhones with iOS updates for six to seven years. The iPhone 16 Pro launched with iOS 18, so it is expected to receive updates through at least iOS 24 or 25 — well into 2030. That makes the upfront cost easier to spread across half a decade of use.

The trade-off: if Apple drops the Lightning port entirely in future models, accessories won’t carry over beyond the USB-C transition already made.

The upshot

Irish buyers who snag a deal at €699 get a phone that will remain competitive for at least five years. Paying full retail €1,119 today is harder to justify with the iPhone 17 just months away.

How Much Is the iPhone 16 Pro in Ireland?

Six pricing paths exist, from outright purchase to bill pay to refurbished. The cheapest outright price seen in early 2025 is €699 from Technog.ie (Irish electronics retailer). Apple’s own price has not moved from €1,119.

Retail prices from Currys and Apple

  • 128 GB: €1,119 (Apple Ireland (official pricing))
  • 256 GB: €1,229 (Apple Ireland (official pricing))
  • 512 GB: €1,419

Klarna Ireland tracks six stores and shows a lowest price of €1,199 for the 256 GB model (Klarna Ireland (price comparison tool)). The gap between Apple’s RRP and market deals is unusually wide this early.

Bill pay deals from Eir and Vodafone

Eir and Vodafone both carry the iPhone 16 Pro, though exact contract terms change regularly. Sky Ireland offers a 24-month credit-sale at €29 upfront with a €65 monthly device cost plus a €10 10GB plan (Sky Ireland (carrier partner)). That totals roughly €1,829 over two years — significantly more than buying outright at €699 and pairing with a cheap SIM-only plan.

Second-hand and refurbished options from Swappie

  • Refurbished from €929 (Swappie Ireland (refurbished specialist))
  • Includes 12-month warranty and 14-day return policy (Swappie Ireland (refurbished specialist))
  • Conditions vary from “Good” to “Mint”

The catch: refurbished units at €929 cost more than the Technog new deal at €699. Unless you specifically want Apple’s original packaging and warranty, the new discounted unit is a better value.

What to watch

Bill pay contracts lock you in for 24 months at a total cost often double the discounted outright price. Irish buyers who can pay upfront should compare total ownership cost, not just the monthly figure.

Is the iPhone 17 Coming?

Apple has not confirmed the iPhone 17, but the company’s annual cycle points to a September 2025 announcement. Rumours suggest design changes and a new chip, but nothing is official (Tom’s Guide (tech review outlet)).

Expected release timeline

  • September 2025 – most likely unveiling
  • Pre-orders one week later
  • Ireland availability typically on launch day

Rumoured features and improvements

The pattern: if you need a phone now, the iPhone 16 Pro at a discount is a strong buy. The rumoured iPhone 17 improvements are incremental, not revolutionary. Waiting makes most sense if you are on an iPhone 14 or older and can stretch another six months.

Should you wait for the iPhone 17?

What this means: the iPhone 16 Pro’s value proposition is strongest right now during the discount window. Once the iPhone 17 launches, resale value of the 16 Pro will drop.

Can I Still Buy the iPhone 16 Pro Now?

Yes, the iPhone 16 Pro remains widely available across Irish retailers and carriers. Stock is healthy at Currys, Technog, Select, and through Eir and Vodafone bill-pay plans.

Availability at Currys, Technog, Select

  • Currys Ireland: in-store and online, 128 GB from €1,119
  • Technog.ie: discounted stock at €699
  • Select: limited promotions on 256 GB model

Online and in-store stock

Most retailers carry all four colours — Black Titanium, White Titanium, Desert Titanium, Natural Titanium — in 128 GB, 256 GB, and 512 GB configurations. Wait times for 512 GB can reach one week.

Carrier availability (Eir, Vodafone)

Both Eir and Vodafone offer the iPhone 16 Pro on 24-month contracts with varying upfront costs. Vodafone also sells SIM-free units directly. Check each carrier’s site for current promotions.

Note

Stock levels for the 128 GB Desert Titanium model have been tight at some retailers since January 2025. Order early if that colour is your preference.

Which iPhone Should I Stay Away From?

If you are buying used, avoid models that will lose network support in Ireland’s upcoming 3G shutdown. The iPhone 6, 6S, and first-generation SE lack VoLTE support on some carriers and may stop working for calls after 2026. Older models also have poor battery life today.

Older models with poor battery life

  • iPhone 7, 8: batteries degrade, no replacement parts from Apple
  • iPhone X: face ID issues common
  • iPhone XR, 11: better but still older chips

iPhones that may lose 2026 compatibility

  • iPhone 6, 6S, SE (1st gen): likely no VoLTE on Irish networks after 3G shutdown
  • iPhone 7, 8: still support VoLTE but check with carrier
  • iPhone 12 and newer: fully compatible (Apple Ireland (official pricing))

Models with known issues

  • iPhone 12 mini: poor battery life
  • iPhone 14: similar design to 13, small upgrades

The pattern: buying an iPhone 11 or older today is a short-term decision. The iPhone 16 Pro, even second-hand, offers five years of future-proofing.

Bottom line: The iPhone 16 Pro is a genuinely powerful device, not just a marketing refresh. For Irish buyers who can grab it at €699 from a discount retailer: buy now, enjoy the best camera system in a standard Pro size, and trade in before the iPhone 17 launch to minimise depreciation. For those set on bill pay contracts: calculate total cost first — you may be paying double. For anyone considering an older iPhone: skip anything older than the iPhone 12 if you want it to work on Irish networks beyond 2026.

Is the iPhone 16 Pro Worth Buying in 2026?

Buying a phone that launched in 2024 in 2026 sounds late, but the A18 Pro chip and 8GB RAM keep it competitive against mid-2025 Android flagships. The bigger risk is network compatibility.

Performance longevity

  • A18 Pro still outperforms many 2025 chips (Tom’s Guide (tech review outlet))
  • 8GB RAM handles multitasking well
  • iOS 18+ updates through 2030

Network compatibility

Ireland’s 3G shutdown is expected in 2026, which will affect iPhones 6, 6S, and first-generation SE. The iPhone 16 Pro supports 5G and VoLTE, so it will work on all Irish networks after the shutdown. No compatibility risk here.

Trade-in value and resale

  • Trade-in values drop sharply after iPhone 17 launch
  • Swappie buys back used iPhone 16 Pro units (Swappie Ireland (refurbished specialist))
  • Expect 30-40% depreciation in first year

The pattern: buying at a discounted price now and trading in before iPhone 17 launch gives the best ownership cost.

The paradox

The iPhone 16 Pro will still be a capable phone in 2026, but its resale value will have taken a hit. Buying now at €699 and selling before September 2025 could net a lower effective cost than keeping it for three years.

Are iPhone 16 Pro Prices Cheaper Now?

Yes, prices have dropped significantly since the September 2024 launch. The retail price held at €1,119, but discounts from independent retailers have pushed the effective cost as low as €699.

Price drops since launch

  • Launch price: €1,119 (September 2024)
  • Current best price: €699 (Technog.ie)
  • Average retail discount: 37%

Seasonal sales and promotions

Black Friday 2024 saw limited discounts of about 10%. Back-to-school promotions in August may offer further reductions, though Apple’s official price is unlikely to move before the iPhone 17 launch.

Comparison with iPhone 17 expected pricing

Based on Apple’s pricing history, the iPhone 17 will likely start around the same €1,119–€1,229 range as the 16 Pro did at launch. Irish buyers who wait for the iPhone 17 should not expect a lower starting price.

Timeline

  • September 2024 – iPhone 16 Pro launched at €1,119 (Apple Ireland (official pricing))
  • Early 2025 – Price drops to €699 at select retailers (Technog.ie (Irish electronics retailer))
  • September 2025 – Expected iPhone 17 announcement
  • 2026 – Potential 3G shutdown; older iPhones may lose network support

Clarity check

Confirmed facts

  • iPhone 16 Pro specs – A18 Pro, 48 MP camera, 8GB RAM
  • Current Ireland pricing – RRP €1,119, deals from €699
  • Software support through iOS 20+

What’s unclear

  • Exact iPhone 17 release features
  • Whether iPhone 16 Pro will drop further in 2026
  • All carrier deals post-launch

Quotes from experts

“The iPhone 16 Pro adds the 5x zoom camera feature that was previously a Pro Max exclusive.”

Tom’s Guide (tech review outlet)

“Our refurbished iPhone 16 Pro comes with a 12-month warranty and a 14-day return policy, giving you peace of mind.”

Swappie Ireland (refurbished specialist)

“The iPhone 16 Pro uses Apple’s A18 Pro chip and 8GB RAM, making it a powerful choice for demanding users.”

Swappie Ireland (refurbished specialist)

For Irish buyers weighing the iPhone 16 Pro today, the choice is clear: secure a deal at €699 or wait until September 2025, but don’t pay full retail. The phone will serve you well into 2030, and trading it in before the iPhone 17 launch will maximise your return.

Frequently asked questions

Is the iPhone 16 Pro compatible with 5G in Ireland?

Yes, it supports 5G on all Irish networks (Eir, Vodafone, Three, Tesco Mobile).

How long will the iPhone 16 Pro receive iOS updates?

Apple typically provides updates for six to seven years. Expect support through at least 2030.

Can I trade in my old iPhone for an iPhone 16 Pro in Ireland?

Yes. Swappie, Apple, and carriers like Eir offer trade-in programmes. Values vary by model and condition.

Does the iPhone 16 Pro have a SIM card slot?

The Irish model includes a physical nano-SIM slot plus eSIM support.

What colours is the iPhone 16 Pro available in?

Black Titanium, White Titanium, Desert Titanium, Natural Titanium.

Is the iPhone 16 Pro good for gaming?

Yes, the A18 Pro chip and 8GB RAM handle demanding games with high frame rates. Battery lasts up to 22 hours video playback.

Does the iPhone 16 Pro come with a charger in the box?

No. Apple stopped including chargers with the iPhone 12 generation. Only a USB-C cable is included.

How does the iPhone 16 Pro camera compare to older models?

It offers a 48 MP main sensor, 5x optical zoom, and 4K 120 fps Dolby Vision – major upgrades over iPhone 15 Pro’s 3x zoom and 4K 60 fps.