This is how long your iPhone will really last
This is how long your iPhone will really last
https://www.pocket-lint.com/this-is-how-long-your-iphone-will-really-last/
Publish Date: 2026-05-18 13:27:00
Source Domain: www.pocket-lint.com
For the average person, I think, longevity counts a great deal when it comes to shopping for smartphones. While some people upgrade every year or two simply because they can, most of us can’t afford to drop that much cash on something that isn’t a substantial improvement. Would I like the upgraded telephoto camera in the iPhone 17 Pro? Certainly, but if that’s the main attraction, there’s not much cause to switch from my 16 Pro.
If you’re concerned about getting the most for your money rather than succumbing to techlust, you’re in the right place. There’s more involved than material durability, though — battery health and practical relevance are equally if not more important factors. That last point might sound a bit abstract, but I guarantee it’ll make perfect sense by the time I’m done, and it may be your top consideration.
The forces that rule your iPhone’s lifespan
General durability and IP rating
In terms of material quality, iPhones are pretty resilient. It’s not too difficult to find used iPhones that are over a decade old, yet intact and functioning. And their durability has largely improved since then, incidents like Bendgate being outliers rather than the norm. The iPhone Air is actually one of the toughest products Apple has ever made, despite also being one of the thinnest.
Part of this can be chalked up to better structural design, but a lot of…
