We analyze the key points that mark the useful life of an iPhone to try to know how long you can use the Apple smartphone.
iPhones are very durable devices, they are probably the smartphones that last the longest offering optimal performance. However, as with any electronic device, after a while it’s time to renew it. But how long exactly?
We are going to try to answer this difficult question, which in most cases it will depend on each user. If you love technology, you probably want to change your iPhone sooner than normal, but that does not mean that your old iPhone cannot be used for a longer time.
We tried to find out what the real lifespan of an iPhone is
Lifespan of an iPhone
The concept of useful life is somewhat ambiguous when we talk about technological devices. It is really possible to use a 12 year old iPhone 4, it still works and receives calls, but it has become obsolete because there are better technologies.
Therefore, when assessing the useful life of a smartphone, we must stop to think about 3 main points: battery, software updates and performance. These three features will greatly influence the lifespan of the iPhone.
iPhone battery life
This is probably the weakest point of the iPhone’s lifespan. The battery is the component that wears the most. on a smartphone, something that at the moment has no solution with the current components.
The battery is a component that degrades relatively quickly
iPhone batteries are designed to retain 80% of its original capacity after 500 charge cycles complete. A full charge cycle is a 100% charge, which can be done all at once or in multiple charges. For example two charges up to 50% would be considered a complete cycle.
Taking into account that most users charge the iPhone every day, it is normal that 500 charge cycles are completed when the device is between two and two and a half years old, probably something else on the iPhone Max or Plus. That could be said to be a key point in the iPhone’s lifespan.
iPhone battery capacity has increased over the generations, making the loss of capacity less pronounced. Nevertheless, losing 20% autonomy after two years, can be seriouseven though the batteries now last longer.
Big iPhones have bigger batteries, so they hold up better over time.
Therefore, after this time, you will notice that the battery of your iPhone lasts much less. It is of course It’s a good time to change modelsAlthough you can also go to the technical service and change the battery with a new one that will last another two and a half years, the cost may be worth it.
How many software updates does an iPhone receive?
The Software updates also influence the life of the device, although fortunately this is not something that affects the iPhone too much. Apple is known for offering years of software updates, so you’re pretty much covered in this case.
An iPhone usually receives 5-6 big software updates, so this will not be a factor to take into account when measuring the useful life. Even after that period, Apple releases security updates for its old operating systems.
Therefore, Regarding software, the useful life of an iPhone can be 7 or 8 years.. Even after that, even if you don’t have the latest version available, the device will still work properly.
When will you notice a drop in performance on the iPhone
Another important point is performance, when it starts to drop it is a clear sign that the iPhone’s useful life is coming to an end. But the truth is that on the iPhone it is not something too relevant either.
The Apple processors boast of being the most powerful on the market, and it is not strange to see them among the best when 1 or 2 years have passed since their release. This guarantees good performance for years. Maybe When 4 or 5 years pass, you begin to notice that the iPhone cannot cope with the most demanding functions system or more powerful games.
You don’t have to worry too much about the performance of your iPhone
So, when do you have to change iPhone?
As we see, the iPhone are designed to last several years. The main problem may be that of the battery when they are two or three years old, but for relatively little money you can put a new one that prolongs the life of the device.
if you are a very technological user, it is normal to change iPhone every two years (or every year if you have the money). Current smartphones are reaching the ceiling at the level of specifications, and year after year the news is not excessive. Therefore, two years is a good period to change your iPhone if you like technology.
And if you are a normal user, you do not need to always have the latest, an iPhone can last without problems 4 or 5 years (or even more). With a battery update in the middle of this period you can extend the useful life without problems. And if you have opted for an iPhone Plus or Max, it may not even be necessary since you will still have very good battery life.
We hope we have clarified what the useful life of an iPhone is and for how long you can use it. They are without a doubt very durable devices, which withstand the passage of time better than the competition. It is not uncommon to see users with iPhones older than 7 or 8 years.