Every September, the same thing happens. Apple announces the new iPhone, and suddenly last year's model gets a lot cheaper in Vietnam. We saw it when the iPhone 14 replaced the 13. We saw it when the iPhone 15 replaced the 14. And we definitely saw it when the iPhone 16 launched and crushed iPhone 15 prices. Now the iPhone 17 is coming, and the iPhone 17 launch affects iPhone 16 price in Vietnam in ways you can actually predict - if you know the pattern.
I've been tracking Apple pricing across Vietnamese retailers for over two years now. The cycle is remarkably consistent. And the savings you can grab by timing your purchase right are genuinely massive - we're talking ₹15,000 to ₹30,000 on a single phone.
Let me show you exactly what's going to happen.
Historical Pattern: What Happened to iPhone 15 Prices When iPhone 16 Launched
Before we project iPhone 16 price drops, let's look at real data. When the iPhone 16 launched in Vietnam in late September 2025, here's what happened to iPhone 15 prices at major retailers over the following months:
The biggest drops happened in two waves. First wave: the week of the iPhone 16 announcement, when retailers slashed prices by 1,000,000₫ to 1,500,000₫ practically overnight. Second wave: November through January, when they needed to clear holiday inventory and make room for iPhone 16 stock.
By March 2026, the iPhone 15 128GB sat at 17,490,000₫ at CellphoneS - down from 22,490,000₫. That's a 22% decline. The Pro models dropped even harder in percentage terms because Apple discontinued them entirely, turning Vietnamese stock into the only way to buy them new.
Here's the thing: this same pattern is about to repeat with the iPhone 16.
Projected iPhone 16 Price Drops After iPhone 17 Announcement
Based on three years of Vietnamese retail data, here's what I expect the old iPhone price drop in Vietnam after the new launch will look like for the iPhone 16 lineup:
| Model | Current Price (Mar 2026) | Expected Sep 2026 (Launch Week) | Expected Dec 2026 | Expected Mar 2027 | |-------|--------------------------|-------------------------------|--------------------|--------------------| | iPhone 16 128GB | 22,990,000₫ | 20,990,000₫ | 19,490,000₫ | 17,990,000₫ | | iPhone 16 Plus 128GB | 25,990,000₫ | 23,490,000₫ | 21,990,000₫ | 20,490,000₫ | | iPhone 16 Pro 128GB | 28,490,000₫ | 25,990,000₫ | 24,490,000₫ | 22,990,000₫ | | iPhone 16 Pro Max 256GB | 34,490,000₫ | 31,990,000₫ | 29,990,000₫ | 27,990,000₫ |
These aren't random guesses. They're based on the exact percentage declines we tracked for iPhone 14 to 15, and iPhone 15 to 16. Vietnamese retailers follow an almost scripted pricing curve because they're all competing with each other for the same pool of price-sensitive customers.
Key insight: The iPhone 16 Pro and Pro Max will likely see the steepest drops because Apple typically discontinues the previous-gen Pro lineup entirely. Once that happens, Vietnamese retailers become one of the few places globally where you can still buy them sealed and new. That desperation to clear stock before warranty periods start looking short drives aggressive discounting.
Current iPhone 16 Prices - Store by Store (Before the Drop)
If you're tracking the iPhone 16 discount after the 17 launches in Vietnam, you need to know where prices stand right now. Here's the March 2026 snapshot:
iPhone 16 128GB
| Store | Price (VND) | After VAT Refund (INR) | Apple India Price | Current Savings | |-------|------------|------------------------|-------------------|----------------| | CellphoneS | 22,490,000₫ | ₹60,800 | ₹79,900 | ₹19,100 (23.9%) | | Didong Viet | 22,690,000₫ | ₹61,400 | ₹79,900 | ₹18,500 (23.2%) | | The Gioi Di Dong | 22,990,000₫ | ₹62,200 | ₹79,900 | ₹17,700 (22.2%) | | FPT Shop | 23,190,000₫ | ₹62,700 | ₹79,900 | ₹17,200 (21.5%) | | ShopDunk | 23,490,000₫ | ₹63,500 | ₹79,900 | ₹16,400 (20.5%) |
iPhone 16 Pro Max 256GB
| Store | Price (VND) | After VAT Refund (INR) | Apple India Price | Current Savings | |-------|------------|------------------------|-------------------|----------------| | CellphoneS | 33,990,000₫ | ₹91,900 | ₹1,44,900 | ₹53,000 (36.6%) | | Didong Viet | 34,190,000₫ | ₹92,400 | ₹1,44,900 | ₹52,500 (36.2%) | | The Gioi Di Dong | 34,490,000₫ | ₹93,200 | ₹1,44,900 | ₹51,700 (35.7%) | | FPT Shop | 34,690,000₫ | ₹93,800 | ₹1,44,900 | ₹51,100 (35.3%) | | ShopDunk | 34,990,000₫ | ₹94,600 | ₹1,44,900 | ₹50,300 (34.7%) |
These are already solid savings compared to India. But they'll get much better once September rolls around.
Want to see real-time prices across all stores? Check our iPhone 16 price comparison tool - it updates daily and shows you exactly where the cheapest deal is.
Which iPhone 16 Models See the Biggest Drops?
Not all models drop equally. Here's what three years of data tells us about which old iPhone prices drop most in Vietnam after a new launch:
Percentage Drop by Model Tier (Historical Average)
| Model Tier | Average Drop (6 Months Post-Launch) | Why | |-----------|--------------------------------------|-----| | Base model (e.g., iPhone 16) | 18-22% | High stock volume, direct replacement available | | Plus model | 20-24% | Lower demand model, retailers want it gone | | Pro model | 22-28% | Discontinued by Apple, clearance pressure | | Pro Max model | 20-25% | High demand even used, but clearance still happens |
The Plus model is interesting. It's always been the slowest seller in Vietnam - Vietnamese consumers tend to either go base model for value or Pro Max for prestige. The Plus sits in an awkward middle ground. That means retailers discount it more aggressively than you'd expect.
But here's my genuine opinion: the iPhone 16 Pro is going to be the absolute best deal once the iPhone 17 launches. You'll get the A18 Pro chip, the 5x tetraprism zoom, titanium build, and the Camera Control button - all at what I'm projecting to be around 24,490,000₫ by December 2026. After VAT refund, that's roughly ₹66,200. The iPhone 17 base model will likely cost more than that. Think about that for a second.
The Buy-Now-or-Wait Decision Framework
This is the question everyone asks: should I buy the iPhone 16 in Vietnam now, or wait for the iPhone 17 launch to buy the iPhone 16 at a discount?
Here's a simple framework:
Buy the iPhone 16 NOW if:
- Your current phone is broken or dying
- You're traveling to Vietnam in the next 2-3 months and won't be back anytime soon
- You want the iPhone 16 Pro Max (which holds value better and drops less dramatically)
- You don't want to deal with potentially limited color/storage options during clearance
Wait for the iPhone 17 launch to buy an iPhone 16 in Vietnam if:
- Your current phone works fine and you can hold out until October-November 2026
- You're flexible on color and storage (clearance stock means fewer choices)
- You want the base iPhone 16 or iPhone 16 Plus (biggest drops)
- You're planning a Vietnam trip in late 2026 anyway
- Saving an extra ₹10,000-₹20,000 matters to you
There's a third option most people don't consider: buy the iPhone 16 now at current Vietnam prices (already 20-25% cheaper than India) and skip the iPhone 17 entirely. Vietnam pricing already makes the 16 a bargain. You don't have to optimize for the absolute bottom price.
Use our price comparison tool to check what the savings look like today before you decide.
Timing Your Purchase: The Price Drop Calendar
Based on historical patterns, here's when the iPhone 17 launch affects iPhone 16 price in Vietnam at each stage:
June-August 2026 (Pre-Announcement Rumors) Prices barely move. Maybe 200,000-500,000₫ off at some retailers running minor promotions. Not worth waiting for specifically.
September 2026 (Announcement Week) The first real drop. Expect 1,500,000₫ to 2,500,000₫ slashed off iPhone 16 models within days of the iPhone 17 keynote. Retailers don't wait for the actual iPhone 17 to hit shelves - they start discounting the moment Apple shows the new design on stage.
October 2026 (iPhone 17 Ships) Second wave. When the iPhone 17 physically arrives in Vietnamese stores, iPhone 16 prices drop another 500,000₫ to 1,000,000₫ as retailers need to make literal shelf space.
November-December 2026 (Holiday Clearance) The sweet spot. This is when the deepest discounts happen. Vietnamese retailers run year-end promotions, and old iPhone stock gets some of the most aggressive pricing. If you're buying an iPhone 16 in Vietnam after the 17 launches, this is the window I'd personally target.
January-March 2027 (Post-Holiday) Prices stabilize at their lowest. But by now, stock might be limited - especially for Pro models in popular colors. You'll find deals, but selection will be thinner.
What About the iPhone 17 Itself?
You might be wondering - why not just buy the iPhone 17 in Vietnam instead? Fair question.
Based on historical launch pricing, the iPhone 17 Pro is expected to start around 28,990,000₫ in Vietnam. That's roughly ₹78,400 after VAT refund, compared to what will probably be ₹1,34,900 or more on Apple India. Still a massive saving.
But the iPhone 16 Pro at its projected post-launch price of ~24,490,000₫ (₹66,200 after VAT refund) will be about ₹12,200 cheaper than the new iPhone 17 base model in Vietnam. And the iPhone 16 is still a phenomenal phone.
The right choice depends on how much you care about having the newest thing versus getting the best value.
Real Experiences: What We Saw Last Year
I was at CellphoneS on Nguyen Trai Street in District 5 the week the iPhone 16 was announced last September. The iPhone 15 display prices hadn't been updated yet on the physical signs, but when I asked the staff, they quoted me 1,200,000₫ less than the sticker price right there on the spot. By the following week, the new signs were up.
FPT Shop across the street was a bit slower to adjust - they kept iPhone 15 at closer to original pricing for about 10 days, then did a bigger single drop. Different stores have different strategies. Some cut gradually, some hold then slash. But by mid-October, everyone was within 500,000₫ of each other.
And the clearance deals at Didong Viet were the best I found. They had iPhone 15 Pro 256GB units at 25,990,000₫ in December - an insane price for that phone. Nobody was advertising it online. I found it by walking into three different locations and asking.
That's the thing about buying an old iPhone in Vietnam after a new launch - the in-store deals are often better than what you see on their websites. Especially in District 1 and District 5 in Ho Chi Minh City, where competition between stores is fiercest.
The Smart Buyer's Checklist
If you've decided to wait for the iPhone 17 launch to buy an iPhone 16 in Vietnam, here's how to maximize your savings:
- Track prices starting August 2026 - Use our iPhone price tracker to see when the first drops begin
- Target November-December 2026 for the best balance of low price and good stock availability
- Visit physical stores - clearance prices in-store are often lower than online listed prices
- Check multiple locations of the same chain - inventory varies and so do informal discounts
- Have backup color/storage choices - your first pick might be sold out during clearance
- Ask about bundle deals - retailers sometimes throw in cases, screen protectors, or AirPods discounts when clearing old iPhone stock
- Claim your VAT refund - That 8-10% back at the airport adds up to serious money on phones
Don't forget VAT refund! On a 20,000,000₫ iPhone 16, the VAT refund is approximately 1,600,000₫ (roughly ₹4,300). That's money in your pocket just for filling out a form at the airport. See our VAT refund step-by-step guide for the full process.
Bottom Line: The iPhone 17 Launch Affects iPhone 16 Price in Vietnam - Use It
Here's what it comes down to. The iPhone 17 launch affects iPhone 16 price in Vietnam in a predictable, well-documented pattern. Prices drop 18-28% over six months, with the steepest cuts happening in the November-December window after the new model ships.
If your timing is flexible, waiting for the iPhone 17 announcement could save you an additional ₹10,000-₹20,000 on top of the savings Vietnam already offers versus India. On a Pro Max, that total savings gap versus Apple India could reach ₹70,000 or more. That's not pocket change.
But don't overthink it either. Vietnam's iPhone prices are already dramatically lower than India's. Even at today's pre-drop prices, you're saving 20-37% depending on the model. The "perfect" time to buy is when you're actually in Vietnam and ready to make the purchase.
Whether you're buying now or waiting, check current prices across all Vietnamese retailers to know exactly what you're working with. Prices change weekly, and being informed is the easiest way to save money.
The iPhone 16 is a genuinely excellent phone. And it's about to get a lot cheaper.