iPhones are pretty durable, but there comes a time when you should really consider upgrading.
Due to more limited memory reserves, Apple has increased the prices of its iPad and Mac computers. The iPhone will likely be next, so if you’ve been considering an upgrade for a while, now is probably the right time. Whether you’re considering upgrading to a new device or considering squeezing a few more years out of your current device, it would be helpful to know how long you can expect your iPhone to last.
There’s really a two-part answer here. The first is how long your iPhone will remain functional before needing to be replaced. The other is how much time you have left before the latest and greatest iPhone features become too hard to pass up. If you want to keep your phone as long as possible, you made the right choice by opting for the iPhone. Apple’s commitment to long-term software support has long been unmatched. The new Pixel and Samsung smartphones have started offering up to seven years of operating system updates, but it will be a few more years before we see if these promises are actually kept.
Apple, for its part, just announced in its WWDC 2026 keynote that the latest version of iOS will extend support to the iPhone 11, a 2019 smartphone. The updates come with new features, but more importantly, security patches that protect you against newly discovered vulnerabilities. Based on Apple’s software support history, a newer iPhone 16 or iPhone 17 model should be well supported until at least 2031.
Factors that affect the lifespan of an iPhone
Adnan Ahmed for Woozad
Software support is just one factor that determines the lifespan of smartphones. In fact, I know many people who haven’t updated their iPhone in years and rarely complain about reliability. Most third-party apps also don’t instantly drop support for outdated versions of operating systems. As an example, for WhatsApp to be functional, you need an iPhone running iOS 15.1 or later – that’s like an iPhone 6s from over a decade ago.
One obstacle you’re more likely to encounter sooner is battery degradation. Apple says that batteries in the iPhone 15 series (and likely newer models) are designed to retain around 80% of their original capacity after 1,000 charge cycles. My experience matches this statement. My iPhone 15 Pro Max currently has a battery health of 83% with 950 charge cycles.
If your device is a few years old, replacing its battery with a new one can significantly improve its performance. However, at some point, the rest of your phone’s hardware will have aged enough that a new battery alone won’t be able to compensate for the slower processor and limited RAM.
The “Batterygate” controversy resulted in multimillion-dollar class action lawsuits, and Apple has since made performance management and battery health metrics much more transparent. If your iPhone’s battery health drops below 80%, you will be prompted to have it replaced. Your iPhone will also reduce its performance, but you can now turn this setting off.
Modern iPhones are built to last
Adnan Ahmed for Woozad
Aside from penetration protection ratings and scratch-resistant displays, iPhones have improved a lot in terms of build quality. I’ve used my iPhone mostly without a case and there isn’t a single scratch on its body. Apple ditched titanium for an aluminum unibody build with the iPhone 17 Pro series, and while there have been a few reports of the orange colorway developing a pinkish tint over time, the phones themselves remain durable.
Public opinion regarding the longevity of the iPhone is positive. Many users on Reddit say they’ve kept the same iPhone for five years or more, with battery replacement being the only major expense needed to keep it running. Yes, Apple will continue to lock a few software features, like the more customizable version of Siri AI, behind new iPhone models, and yes, there will be hardware additions like Camera Control, but none of that should be reason enough to replace a perfectly functional iPhone.
That said, something I don’t often see people talk about is how demanding the latest version of iOS is. Liquid Glass looks beautiful, but it renders its transparency effects in real time, which can be painful for older hardware. In fact, I was surprised that my iPhone 15 Pro Max, which was marketed to handle AAA games, was constantly dropping frames and running hot with daily use on iOS 26. Apple indirectly acknowledged the performance complaints about iOS 26 by spending most of the iOS 27 reveal talking about performance and stability improvements. In my testing, my old iPhone runs noticeably smoother on iOS 27, despite it being an early beta.
