A new iPhone should last years — likely through 2031

Apple’s latest iPhones should stay useful for a long time. Based on the company’s software support history, a newer iPhone 16 or iPhone 17 should be supported through at least 2031 — a key point if you’re weighing an upgrade before possible price increases hit the iPhone after Apple raised prices on some iPads and Macs.

Apple’s edge is long-term software support. At WWDC 2026, the company said the newest version of iOS will support devices back to the iPhone 11, which launched in 2019. That means years of new features, but more importantly, years of security patches. While Google Pixel and Samsung phones now promise up to seven years of OS updates, Apple already has a track record here.

Factors that affect iPhone lifespan

×

Software support is only part of the story. Many older iPhones remain perfectly usable because app support tends to linger. Engadget notes that WhatsApp currently requires iOS 15.1 or newer, which still covers hardware as old as the iPhone 6s.

Battery wear is usually the first real limit. Apple says the iPhone 15 lineup is designed to retain about 80 percent of original battery capacity after 1,000 charge cycles. The article’s author says their iPhone 15 Pro Max was at 83 percent battery health after 950 charge cycles. Once battery health drops below 80 percent, Apple prompts users to replace it, and iOS may reduce performance — though that setting can now be disabled.

Recommended reading

Motorola finally starts Android 17 beta rollout

A battery swap can extend a phone’s life by years, but only up to a point. Older processors and limited RAM eventually become the bigger constraint.

Build quality and iOS performance

×

Modern iPhones are also physically more durable, thanks to IP ratings and tougher displays. Engadget says Apple moved from titanium to a unibody aluminum design on the iPhone 17 Pro series. There have been some reports of the orange finish shifting toward a pink tint over time, but not of broader durability issues.

The bigger catch may be performance on newer software. Engadget argues that iOS 26 was demanding enough to cause dropped frames and heat on an iPhone 15 Pro Max, despite that phone being marketed for AAA games. Apple appeared to address those complaints during its iOS 27 reveal by focusing heavily on performance and stability, and Engadget says the older phone already feels smoother on the early beta.

The practical takeaway is simple: for many people, an iPhone can comfortably last five years or more, with a battery replacement often being the only major maintenance cost.