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How Long Can An IPhone Really Last? (alien.top)

submitted 11 months ago by tiredsongtiredradio@alien.top to c/apple@hardware.watch

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Today, after nearly seven years, my iphone 6s finally gave up on me. I don't know if it's luck or my care, but I never had any issues with the charging lasting or with any lagging. Compared to new models that my family members have, my 6s is not noticeably slower, and I've never repaired anything other than getting a new screen.

Only a few months ago, the home button stopped functioned (touch id is still fine), but with assistive touch, it was only a minor inconvenience. However today, the phone started to glitch and the whole middle column section of the screen stopped responding to touch. Coupled with the broken home button (prevents forced shutdown), I'm pretty sure it's beyond repair, but after all, seven years is a long time when others seem to go through phones every couple of years.

Because everyone I know seems surprised at the longevity of my 6s at it's quality of performance, I wonder how much time can an iPhone really endure if treated with care but still used everyday. What do you all think?

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[–] DavidNipondeCarlos@alien.top 1 points 11 months ago

We have a collection of old iPhones. The top (64 gig) iphone 5 is still working at 1700 batt cycles. It’s a camera only with Alfred camera if needed. I wish we had the black version.

[–] drzero3@alien.top 1 points 11 months ago

iPhone last as long as its OS is up-to-date.

[–] DJCoffee23@alien.top 1 points 11 months ago

I usually like “getting the shiny new toy” as mentioned in another comment. But my 12 pro max will be good for another 2 years (4 years of ownership) as the newer models don’t excite me.

People have had their iPhone 7+ and 8+ since they came out and are perfect okay. I think an average of 6-7 years is plenty.

[–] salloumk@alien.top 1 points 11 months ago

Some more than others. iPhone 7, for example, had some issues with the earpiece and other hardware things. You see much less iPhone 7's out there than 6s's. The model is a factor. 6s is known to be one of the best, most resilient iPhones ever made.

[–] Lewdeology@alien.top 1 points 11 months ago

If taken care of, at least 5+ years with a battery swap.

[–] redvelociraptor@alien.top 1 points 11 months ago

I still have a working iPhone 4. I'm saving it for the day my iPod Mini dies. Still has the original battery and still takes a charge. My iPhone 6 that also works fine (I replaced it's battery myself).

Ofc, I won't use either as a phone, since iOS is so far out of date on them. Fine as media players, though.

I just replaced my iPhone XS with a base model SE 3rd gen purchased new from a 3rd party seller at less than retail. I'll sell the XS to recoup some cost. New phone prices have gotten completely ridiculous.

[–] colin_staples@alien.top 1 points 11 months ago

My iPhone 7 lasted 7 years before I replaced it a few months ago (with a used but immaculate 12 Pro)

The only reason I replaced it was it needed a new battery, and the screen was cracked in a corner so it would also need a new display - removing the display to fit the new battery would have caused the display to break into several pieces. If the screen had not been cracked I would have just got a new battery and continued using for another 1-2 years.

It never felt slow. And because it had the solid-state home button, that never wore out

when others seem to go through phones every couple of years

Those people either :

want a new shiny phone
were offered an upgrade by their network and thought the new phone was "free", not realising that once a phone is paid off you can save a lot of money by moving to a SIM-only plan
dropped/broke their phone
didn't realise you can fit a new battery to a phone and give it a new lease of life