How long do iPhones last? How long will you use your iPhone? (2024)

Dhruv Bhutani / Android-autoriteit

AppeliPhoneshas always been popular, but lately you've probably seen one in the hands of just about everyone around you. Apple loyalists will swear by the iPhone and will never consider buying onetop of the line Android flagship. But besides the loyalists, regular users are also impressed by the iPhone's longevity and continue to use the phone because it simply works for their needs. If you've been tempted to buy an iPhone and are wondering how long you can last, we'll try to answer how long an iPhone lasts.

How long do iPhones last?

Robert Triggs / Android authority

If you ignore the Fairphone series and the occasional phone loss, iPhones are the longest lasting smartphones you can buy today. iPhones can outlast even the best Android smartphones thanks to factors like excellent build quality, extensive software support for features and security updates, long-term support from app developers, easy availability of parts for repair, wide availability of cases, and more. This longevity and consistency helps give iPhones the edgeiOS versus Androiddebate.

Apple updates the iPhone annually with new versions, models and colors. Some of your friends may jump to the latest iPhone after every such announcement, making it seem like iPhone users are constantly buying new iPhones.

However, the reality is far from this. Apple doesn't upgrade enough aspects of its phone every year, and most people are hesitant to upgrade from a perfectly good phone to a new one just because it's new (and also because it's expensive).

iPhones are one of the longest lasting smartphones you can buy today.

An average iPhone user keeps their iPhone for about three years before upgrading, usually because the poor battery backup is no longer sufficient for their needs. We found that this was the most common upgrade timeline for iPhone users, even though the old phone would have had a lot more life.

More and more iPhone users are keeping their phones for four to five years, often replacing the battery halfway through. Many of these users often opt for the extended AppleCare Plus package to help with battery replacement costs, so they already plan to keep the phone for a long time at the time of purchase.

Upgrading your iPhone may seem like a daunting experience, but there are plenty of ways to do it. You cantrade or sell your old iPhone; Either method can help you save on newer models.

Ryan Haines / Android Authority

We even know iPhone users who have been using the same phone for seven years! In fact, Apple does that tooiPhone SEspecifically to cater to this category of users who have become so familiar with the design of the older iPhones and do not want to upgrade to a newer design.

Keep in mind that while iPhones last a long time, they are not easy to repair. There's a lot Apple can do to make them last even longer than they already do, like making repairs easier for technicians and users alike.

You should use your iPhone as long as it comfortably meets your needs.

This will usually be around two or three years, so towards the end of it you will probably need to replace the battery. At this point, we highly recommend that you have the battery replaced at an authorized Apple repair center as this will breathe new life into your phone and you can easily use it for a few more years (usually one to two extra years).

So with oneeasy battery replacementincluded, you can expect an iPhone to last about four to five years. At that point, if you're okay with having the battery replaced again, you may well opt for it and use the phone for a few more months.

Apple tends to support its iPhones for many, many years. You can get new features for six years from launch, and security updates for up to ten years.

Aamir Siddiqui / Android Authority

We recommend that you update to a newer iPhone at least around the four-year mark as the incremental upgrades would have added an excellent cumulative upgrade experience for you.

We also strongly recommend that you update to a newer iPhone when Apple stops supporting security patches for your device, as this will compromise the security of your device.

As a result, many people upgrade their iPhone when their old phone accidentally breaks or they lose it. If your phone is simply broken, you should definitely get repair estimates before buying a new one.iPhone screen replacementcan be expensive, but you should know all your options before making a choice.

When purchasing a new phone, we recommend that you use a good screen protector and case to reduce damage from accidents. You can also choose AppleCare Plus, if available.

Battery life and battery status

Dhruv Bhutani / Android-autoriteit

One of the biggest reasons to upgrade to a new phone is battery life and battery life. Phone batteries have a limited lifespan, i.e. they have a limited lifespan and will gradually hold less of a maximum charge over time. So your battery life will undoubtedly decrease as you charge and discharge your iPhone during daily use.

Apple says a typical battery is designed to retain up to 80% of its original capacity under normal conditions with 500 full charge cycles. If the battery health drops below 80%, Apple classifies the battery health as "significantly degraded." While the phone and battery are still safe to use, the phone's daily battery life won't be great.

To check the battery status of your iPhone, go toSettings > Battery > Battery status and charging, then checkMaximum capacitypercentage. If this is less than 80%, we recommend that you have a battery replacement carried out by an authorized service and repair center. Most users reach this point after two to three years of daily use.

You don't need to buy a new iPhone just because the battery level of your current one is less than 80%. You can try out a new iPhone if you get a good deal, but you don't have to upgrade. A simple battery replacement will breathe new life into your phone.

Software updates and new hardware

Edgar Cervantes / Android Authority

Apple makes small additions to the iPhone experience every year. Many of these updates use older hardware, but some features require new hardware.

For example, the Dynamic Island function makes sense on the newer display panels with the necessary cutouts; therefore, this software feature is not available on older hardware. 5G is another good example, as you'll need an iPhone 12 or newer to experience this.

Add a lot of this hardware andiOS features over time, and your iPhone will feel old and outdated even if it has the latest iOS version.

One of the longest-running myths is that older iPhones become slower when a new iPhone comes onto the market. A big part of this myth is that people cunningly deceive others and cause placebo effects. A small part of that is that older iPhones do throttle, but mainly because of their battery.

For significantly older iPhones where the battery has not been replaced, the battery also gradually loses its ability to provide peak power. The device can therefore be switched off unintentionally because the processor and other system components lose power during peak loads. To prevent this, Apple limits system performance to equalize power needs.

Apple calls this “Performance management”, and the company gives users the option to turn off the gas with the risk of shutdowns. You can find this setting inSettings > Battery > Battery status and chargingbelowMaximum performanceheader, but only if you had an unexpected shutdown and the restriction is active. If your phone is not throttled, there is nothing to switch.

Moreover, iPhones do not slow down their performance. Older iPhones can feel sluggish as the hardware ages and becomes outdated, while the demands on apps continue to increase.

How to make your iPhone last longer

Dhruv Bhutani / Android-autoriteit

If you've just bought a new iPhone, here are some simple tips to help your new phone last longer without sacrificing too much of your experience.

Thanks to the flat display, iPhones have a wide choice of tempered glass screen protectors. A glass screen protector not only protects your screen by absorbing some of the impact of a fall, but also provides a great user experience compared to plastic screen protectors. They're also easy to use because the iPhone doesn't have a curved screen to complicate things.

Lily Katz / Android authority

Likewise, iPhones have the widest selection of first and third party cases. Choose something that looks nice, but also protects your phone if you accidentally drop it. Avoid large suitcases as they add unnecessary weight and retain much more heat.

With a good case and screen protector, your iPhone will last a long time.

This simple setting will keep your iPhone connected for long periods of time and maintain a charge above 80% depending on your routine. So if you prefer to charge your phone overnight, this setting will quickly bring the battery percentage to 80%, but then drop it drastically so that your phone is fully charged when you wake up and need your phone again.

Switch 5G to Auto or off

This step does not directly increase the health of your battery, but it does help improve the daily battery life and thus indirectly increases the health of your battery.

Discover AppleCare Plus

Dhruv Bhutani / Android-autoriteit

AppleCare Plus is an additional warranty that Apple sells separately, in addition to the basic one-year AppleCare warranty that comes free with every phone purchase. If you plan to use your iPhone for more than three years, you should investigate whether AppleCare Plus benefits provide you with enough benefits and peace of mind to be worth the extra cost.

AppleCare Plus for iPhones has two variants: standard AppleCare Plus and AppleCare Plus with theft and loss. The Standard Plus plan covers unlimited damage cover (subject to service charges), while the Theft and Loss plan covers this and up to two incidents of theft or loss per 12 months (subject to service charges per incident). Both plans cover the phone, the battery (if it drops below 80% of its original capacity), and the cable in the box.

Replacing the battery on an iPhone 14 series costs $99 and $89 on older iPhones with Face ID. By comparison, the standard AppleCare Plus plan costs $199 for the iPhone 14 Pro series, $179 for the 14 Plus, and $149 for the regular 14. The cost of AppleCare Plus is higher when you consider just one expected battery replacement, but Note that it also covers other cases of injury.

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