The iPhone 17 is generating a lot of buzz for its slimmer design and advanced capabilities.

The standout feature is the Center Stage front camera, optimized for selfies in any orientation a response to the more than 500 billion selfies iPhone users took last year.

"So we think it's gonna make people's selfie game even better," said Kaiann Drance, Apple's VP of iPhone marketing.

But are the redesigned camera, improved storage, or new color options enough to justify spending $800 or more on an upgrade?

Watch as phone experts show when it is time to buy a new phone, and when you don't need to:

Should you buy an iPhone 17, or buy a new battery for your old phone?

Consumer reactions are mixed

Patrice Coleman, who owns an iPhone 15, expressed interest in upgrading. But Bella Maynard, who has a 16 Pro Max, plans to hold off.

"Since I just got a new phone, probably not," Maynard said.

In the 2025 iPhone Survey by WalletHub, 59% of consumers say they won't be buying a new phone this year due to tariffs and inflation.

Phone repair might be all you need

For budget-conscious consumers, there are alternatives to costly upgrades. Bashar Alvustani, who owns Wireless Technologies, specializes in extending the life of older phones. He can replace batteries in the iPhone 12 or newer models for less than $100.

"It's a fraction of the cost of the phone, like $75 to $100 to change the battery," Alvustani said.

His shop can also replace cracked screens and repair cameras that are no longer functioning properly.

There are two good reasons to go ahead and buy a new smartphone:

If repairs to a damaged phone cost nearly as much as a new one.  If your phone is no longer supported and no longer gets essential security updates. 

Industry analyst Bob O'Donnell from TECHnalysis Research believes the iPhone 17's success will largely depend on which specific model consumers choose.

"I don't know if it'll dramatically move the needle, other than for people who really want that iPhone Air -- super thin phone, right?" O'Donnell said.

For the basic, Pro, or Pro Max models, a simple battery replacement might be enough to keep current phones running smoothly for another year, so you dont waste your money.

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This story was reported on-air by a journalist and has been converted to this platform with the assistance of AI. Our editorial team verifies all reporting on all platforms for fairness and accuracy.

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"Don't Waste Your Money" is a registered trademark of Scripps Media, Inc. ("Scripps").

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When Josh Lisman's 2018 Audi was involved in what seemed like a minor fender bender earlier this year, he expected a simple repair.

Instead, he got a harsh lesson in how some insurance companies handle totaled vehicles.

"There was one car parked in the street, and I hit it," Lisman told us, pointing to the accident location.

What Lisman thought to be a straightforward fix turned into something much more complicated. The repair costs were so high that his insurance company declared the car a total loss.

"I didn't think there was that much damage, but apparently there was," he said.

But the real shock came next: his insurer offered him just $14,000 for the vehicle thousands below its trade-in value.

"I thought they were kidding!" Lisman said.

Watch a driver describe how he was lowballed after a wreck:

Insurance company lowballing after wreck? What to doGetting what your car is actually worth 

Lisman's body shop referred him to Matt Neff, who runs an independent appraisal franchise called Auto Appraisal Network.

Neff specializes in helping drivers get fair payouts from insurance companies for totaled vehicles.

"They want to get you off their desk for the lowest amount possible, as fast as possible. And a lot of times that means theres a pretty significant gap between what your car is actually worth and what they are offering you," Neff said.

The problem is becoming more common.

A recent report by LexisNexis finds more cars are being deemed total losses not because damage is getting any worse, but because repair costs have increased significantly.

Tips for negotiating your car's value 

When negotiating your car's value with an insurance company, personal finance company Bankrate recommends you:

Gather all documents related to your vehicle, including proof of recent improvements.  Figure out the amount you're willing to accept.  Consider getting a public adjuster like Neff. 

If you're still unhappy with the settlement offer, you could hire an attorney.

For Lisman, hiring Neff's appraisal service was all he needed and worth the few hundred dollars he spent.

"I ended up with roughly 52% more than my initial offer from my insurance company," Lisman said.

In the end, he received $20,000 $6,000 more toward a replacement car than the insurance company's original offer.

So get an appraisal if you feel cheated, so you don't waste your money.

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This story was reported on-air by a journalist and has been converted to this platform with the assistance of AI. Our editorial team verifies all reporting on all platforms for fairness and accuracy.

__________________________________

"Don't Waste Your Money" is a registered trademark of Scripps Media, Inc. ("Scripps").

Follow John:

Facebook: John Matarese Money Instagram: @johnmataresemoney X/Twitter: @JohnMatarese

For more consumer news and money saving advice, go to www.dontwasteyourmoney.com

As football season kicks off and online gambling reaches new heights of popularity, the Better Business Bureau is warning consumers about fraudulent betting sites targeting unsuspecting players.

The BBB has received more than 10,000 complaints related to online gambling, highlighting the growing threat of deceptive schemes designed to steal money from sports fans and casual gamers alike.

At the Holy Grail Sports Bar, customers are preparing for a new season of sports on TV and bets on their phones, since betting is legal in Ohio.

Customer Devon Herron likes betting with DraftKings.

"DraftKings. I like it, that's how I make the most money," Herron said.

Tyler Dority says he's had luck at several betting sites.

"FanDuel, Caesars, MGM," Dority said.

Those are all legitimate sites, but not all gambling platforms operate legally.

Watch the warning signs of a fraudulent gaming site:

Online gaming warning, as football season begins

How to protect yourself from gambling rip-offs

Melanie McGovern with the Better Business Bureau says, whether you're placing a sports bet or playing a game for money, first make sure online gambling is legal in your state.

"If you are in a state where it's not legal and you're getting an app or an email or a pop-up during another game to play a game where you can win real money, you always have to be skeptical," McGovern said.

She suggests reaching out to the company and understanding the process, questioning anything that doesn't seem right.

"Arming yourself with that knowledge before you download that app, before you start placing bets, really important," McGovern said.

McGovern warns that deceptive schemes are becoming much more common.

"If they're being evasive, if they're saying they're going to pay you in cryptocurrency or something along those lines, those are the red flags that it might not be legal," McGovern said.

If you're still not sure if the company is legitimate, she advises checking it out on the BBB's scam tracker.

Because if it seems too good to be true, it probably is.

One customer at the sports bar has a simple solution: avoid online betting entirely.

"Nope, I don't bet online. No sir," the customer said.

That way, you don't waste your money.

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This story was reported on-air by a journalist and has been converted to this platform with the assistance of AI. Our editorial team verifies all reporting on all platforms for fairness and accuracy.

___________________________________

"Don't Waste Your Money" is a registered trademark of Scripps Media, Inc. ("Scripps").

Follow John:

Facebook: John Matarese Money Instagram: @johnmataresemoney X/Twitter: @JohnMatarese

For more consumer news and money saving advice, go to www.dontwasteyourmoney.com