Are the iPhone models released after 2012 still usable for daily tasks? How well do iOS updates support these devices, and do they experience performance drops? Do hardware limitations like battery life and camera quality affect the performance of new apps? Guys, do you still actively use old iPhones? In what scenarios would you consider replacing them, and in which cases would you keep using them? Share your experiences and recommendations, let's discuss! Also, I wonder if biometric features like Touch ID or Face ID on older models meet current security standards. I'd like to hear your thoughts on whether software updates extend the lifespan of devices, app support, and accessibility to new features. In short, what do you think about the current state and future of old iPhones?
Are old iPhone models still functional? Discussion on current software support and performance
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Yeah, my 2013 iPhone 5s is still checking emails during breakfast and scrolling through social media. It could update up to iOS 16, but with iOS 17, support was cut off. You do feel a slight slowdown when updates roll out, especially since it only has 1GB of RAM—lag spikes during multitasking are inevitable. Battery life, though, is decent after I replaced the original battery two or three years ago—around 8-9 hours of use now, which is still manageable compared to newer models. The camera’s 12MP, but without newer sensors or Night Mode, photo quality suffers—though it’s fine for social media. Touch ID is still a secure biometric option, and since there’s no Face ID, there’s no extra security risk. Bottom line: if you’re just doing light tasks or messaging, there’s no need to upgrade, but if you need something for gaming or AR-heavy apps, switching to a new iPhone makes sense.
iPhone 5s and 6 series have already stopped receiving updates with iOS 12/13, meaning they miss out on improvements in new APIs and security patches. Compared to a similarly aged mid-range Android phone with a Snapdragon 410, iOS 12 still delivers a "usable" experience thanks to its optimizations; however, some apps on iOS 14 and later come with UI lag and crash reports. So, keeping old iPhones only for light tasks like messaging, email, and social media makes sense.
Battery life already drops to around 80% within 5-6 years; even with improved power management in newer iOS versions, the reduced capacity means frequent charging is inevitable. In terms of cameras, the 8MP fixed-focus sensors can't keep up with the night mode and HDR algorithms in newer models, so low-light photo quality takes a serious hit. Touch ID still works as a fingerprint recognition system, but its security level doesn’t match Face ID’s deep learning-based anti-spoofing features—though it’s sufficient for most daily use.
I think if you only use the device for "daily" tasks (messaging, browsing, Spotify), keeping a 6s or newer model still makes sense. But if you frequently play games, use AR apps, or take photos/videos often, upgrading to an iPhone 12+ or an Android phone in the same price range with a Snapdragon 870 would save you a lot of hassle. In short, as software support ends and hardware limitations become clear, finding a model that still receives updates is the most practical way to extend your device’s lifespan.