How Long Do Smartphones Last?
The lifespan of a smartphone can vary widely based on usage, maintenance, and how well you take care of your device. From my personal experience, using an iPhone 8, an iPhone 6 belonging to my wife, and an iPhone 5 for basic music listening, I have seen that with proper care and protection, smartphones can last up to seven years or more.
iPhone 8, 6, and even the 5 have proven to be remarkably resilient, with regular updates available for a decent amount of time. The iPhone 8, for instance, still runs iOS updates as of this writing, offering a reasonable amount of functional updates and security patches, making it a reliable choice even after several years.
The experiences of others also vary. For example, @Chuck Rogers mentioned that his grandfather used an iPhone 3GS until shortly before his death in 2018. For that individual, the device was still useful and served its purpose well, even if it was not the latest model.
Many people's opinions on the lifespan of smartphones are subjective. Some enjoy the cycle of upgrading every year or so, leading them to use a new device briefly before moving on to the next model. Others, like my 92-year-old father, continue using a device well after their peers have upgraded. He still uses his iPhone, albeit with some minor issues, and it continues to do its job efficiently.
Examples of Longevity in Smartphones
My own experience has shown that some iPhones, like the 2009 3GS, can be put to daily use and still perform well. I have a 2009 3GS being used by a family member and it continues to take photos and work just as well as ever. It syncs with an iMac and performs all its intended functions perfectly. Even when it was a relatively new device, it had issues like battery replacement and a home button repair, which were the only modifications made to keep it running.
Another example is a 2010 iPhone 4, now mounted in a car as a dedicated dash cam. It still works flawlessly, recording all trips and performing all non-phone functions as if it were new. The only significant issues were a battery replacement and a home button repair, both handled casually.
My wife’s 2009 iPhone 4 is also still in use by a family member, showing no signs of wear. It continues to function as a camera and for other tasks. Like its counterpart, it has had a battery replacement and nothing else.
Additionally, a 2012 iPhone 5 has been used by my mother, who uses it for daily communication, occasional web browsing, and app usage. Like all the others, it has had some minor repairs, including a sleep/wake button repair and a battery replacement due to age.
The same can be said for my wife’s 2012 iPhone 5, now in use by her parents. It was an upgrade from their old 3GS and has performed well, with no serious issues other than needing a battery replacement.
Even my Macs, built decades ago, continue to perform their duties, proving that longevity is not exclusive to smartphones but can apply to all of our devices. These examples demonstrate that with proper care and maintenance, smartphones can last indefinitely, serving as reliable tools for years to come.