If you’re an iPhone user and don’t like phones from any other brand due to inconsistency in their operating systems, or you are curious about iPhone’s performance and want to switch to it, you may want to know how long iPhones last. The question makes perfect sense because Apple devices don’t come cheap, and if you are short on budget, you might have to manage a lot of things before you can invest in a newer model.
The following sections discuss how long iPhones last, when is the right time to change your phone, in what other conditions your device needs to be upgraded, and how to protect it from getting bricked and physical damage.
How Long Do iPhones Last?
In terms of iOS, iPhones last approximately four to seven years because the software version plays a major role in compelling you to upgrade to a new iPhone.
When it comes to iOS support, at the time of this writing, i.e., when the latest version is iOS 15.6.1 available for downloading on iPhone 13 Pro Max which is the latest model present today, the operating system is still compatible with iPhone 6s and above. This means that iPhone 6 Plus and earlier models can now be considered obsolete and probably need to be replaced with a new iPhone.
In continuation to the above, this further suggests that as soon as iOS 16 is rolled out for the mass, iPhone 6s Plus and iPhone 6s may not be able to install the new operating system, and therefore could become outdated.
Old software will push you to upgrade your iPhone because the newly released or upgraded apps might not be supported or not work smoothly in old iOS.
Even though you can install the latest iOS on an old iPhone model, it could happen that the performance of the device declines because the hardware cannot work perfectly with the latest software. That’s why some people look for a way to downgrade iOS after updating the software.
In terms of the hardware, it is hard to say how long iPhones could last. Technically you can keep using your iPhone only if it works.
However, if your iPhone is physically damaged, regardless of its model or the iOS that it has, you may need to buy a new one. This is something that could happen to any iPhone. Although you can get your device repaired from any authorized Apple Store, many times the cost of repairing is almost equal to that of a new phone itself if it is out of the warranty, and therefore most people choose to upgrade their devices.
Your iPhone may get damaged when:
- It falls on the hard floor.
- Its display screen gets damaged.
- Its internal circuitry comes in direct contact with water and causes short-circuit.
- Its motherboard is dead.
If you find any of the above conditions, you may want to get a new iPhone.
When Should I Upgrade My iPhone?
In addition to the points and circumstances discussed in the previous section, a few other signs that your device throws to indicate that it needs to be upgraded include:
· You Ran Out of Space
Because earlier iPhone models have smaller storage, you are likely to run out of it, especially if you have a large number of high-resolution images and videos.
When you have no space left on your device and nothing can be deleted from it either, you should go for a newer model of the phone with a larger storage capacity.
· You’re Unable to Upgrade iOS
As explained earlier, if the latest version of iOS is no longer available for your iPhone, you may want to upgrade it to a newer one to stay protected against threats and to enjoy all the features that the most recent operating system offers.
· Repairing Is Costlier than the Phone Itself
If your iPhone gets damaged and its repairing cost is higher than that of the newer model, there’s no point in reusing the old one. In such a case, upgrading to the latest phone would be a wise decision.
· Incompatible Network or Bluetooth Connectivity
If your old iPhone cannot comply with the latest wireless or Bluetooth technologies, upgrading the phone will be your last resort to stay connected to the Internet, and also for data transfers.
Apart from the above points, if you are a gadget freak or run a blog where you talk about the latest devices and their features, your business requires regular phone upgrades, whether or not your old smartphone is still in working condition.
How Can I Protect My iPhone from Damages?
After understanding “how long do iPhones last”, you may also want to know how your iPhone can be protected from various damages that may prevent it from functioning normally, or make it stop working altogether.
Some proven protective measures for an iPhone include:
· Buy AppleCare+ for iPhone
AppleCare+ for iPhone extends hardware repair coverage for your phone for another 2 years, i.e., from the date of purchase of the service. However, you may have to pay the service fee at the time of claim.
· Genuine Cables and Chargers
Always use Apple Original Lightning Cables and chargers to avoid any mishap to the circuit. While the original accessories are manufactured precisely for Apple devices, those from third-party vendors may induce varied or inconsistent power to your phone, thus damaging its hardware.
· Temperature
Make sure not to expose your iPhone to excessive heat for too long as it may cause severe damage to its physical body or internal circuit.
· Screen Guard
It is advisable to invest some funds in buying and installing a good-quality screen guard on your iPhone to keep its display safe. Although the repair cost of the screen isn’t that high, there’s no point in taking any kind of risk. Isn’t it?
· Protective Cases
Many third-party vendors manufacture protective cases for almost every iPhone model. Such covers come in various colors and designs to make your phone look sturdier while giving it a decent appearance at the same time.
· Careful and Attentive Attitude
All things said and done, it is extremely important to be careful and attentive when handling your iPhone. While Apple claims that its devices are tough and can withstand rough usage, unnecessary carelessness may damage the phone, and you may end up paying a huge amount for its repair or buying a new one altogether.
Conclusion
The question “how long do iPhones last” is quite genuine. This is because if you are investing more than $1000 on a device, you have the right to know its durability. While the straightforward answer is that your Apple phone may last anywhere from four to seven years, its functioning majorly depends on numerous factors and how carefully you’re handling it. Nevertheless, it’s always exciting to have the latest model of an iPhone in your hand, right?
