Consider a new iPhone if your current device has a battery that barely lasts half a day, significant, unfixable screen cracks, or lags frequently during daily use. Other critical signs include a lack of storage, the inability to update to the latest iOS, or a, camera that no longer meets your needs.
There inevitably comes a time with any iPhone model when its hardware just can't keep up with the processing demands of new apps and iOS updates. Significant lag and crashing apps are two other indicators that you might need an upgrade.
Most users have normally reported changing their iPhones after issues with their battery. The iPhone battery makes the device run strong, and when it loses its hold, the device starts losing its strength.
Three-finger gestures on iPhone primarily activate accessibility features like VoiceOver (for screen reading and navigation) and Zoom (magnification), allowing scrolling, zooming, and text manipulation (copy/paste/undo) with specific taps and drags, though some text actions work without VoiceOver enabled for quick editing. Common gestures include three-finger double-tap to toggle VoiceOver speech, triple-tap for the screen curtain, and pinching/spreading with three fingers for copy/paste actions, notes this YouTube video.
iPhones generally last 4-10 years, with most users upgrading around 3-4 years for new features, but Apple provides long-term software support (often 6+ years of iOS updates and security patches), meaning hardware can last much longer, especially with battery replacements and care, often reaching 5-7 years or more of solid use before major performance drops or app incompatibility issues arise.
The 20-80 rule for iPhones suggests keeping the battery charge between 20% and 80% to minimize stress on the lithium-ion battery, thereby extending its overall lifespan and health by avoiding the high-stress points of full discharge (0%) and full charge (100%). While not a strict necessity for daily use, this practice reduces battery degradation by avoiding deep discharges and the taxing final 20% of charging, helping maintain battery capacity longer, though modern iPhones have built-in features like Optimized Battery Charging to manage this.
Products are considered obsolete when Apple stopped distributing them for sale more than 7 years ago.
You can double-tap or triple-tap the back of iPhone to perform actions such as taking a screenshot, turning on an accessibility feature, running a shortcut, and more. Go to Settings > Accessibility > Touch > Back Tap. Choose Double Tap or Triple Tap, then choose an action.
Over time, iPhones can slow down due to aging hardware, full storage, outdated software, or background processes that consume processing power. These issues are often gradual, with performance dropping as apps and iOS updates demand more from the device than its older components can deliver.
*3001#12345#* on an iPhone activates the hidden Field Test Mode, a diagnostic tool for network engineers and power users to see detailed cellular data like signal strength (dBm), cell tower info, and network quality, accessible by dialing the code in the Phone app and pressing call, often after turning off Wi-Fi for accurate cellular readings.
iPhone battery's maximum capacity
It starts out at 100% (or just under), and as the battery ages, capacity decreases, which means you get fewer hours between charges. If the number you see under Maximum Capacity is more than 80%, you have a healthy battery, according to Apple.
But most consumers seem to resist that urge. One-third of American iPhone buyers in 2024 had held their previous phone for 3 years or more, according to survey data from Consumer Intelligence Research Partners, or CIRP.
The best month to buy an iPhone depends on your goal: September is great for the newest models (launch deals/trade-ins), while October-December (Black Friday/Holidays) offers discounts on the previous year's models, making them ideal for value. For budget buys, January-March brings post-holiday price drops, and April-June (Back-to-School/EOFY) is good for refurbished options. Avoid buying right before September if you want the absolute latest model, as prices drop soon after launch.
Yes, an iPhone 18 lineup is expected, but Apple might split the release: high-end models (iPhone 18 Pro, Pro Max, and a foldable iPhone) are rumored for Fall 2026, while the standard iPhone 18 and iPhone 18e (low-cost) might be delayed until Spring 2027, following a new staggered launch strategy for different models.
Yes, the iPhone 17 is largely considered a worthwhile upgrade, especially from older models (iPhone 14 or earlier) due to significant improvements like a smoother display (ProMotion on base models), USB-C with faster data, longer battery life, and capable cameras, making the base model a much stronger value and often close to Pro features, though the Pro offers more serious performance. Whether it's worth it depends on your current phone: it's a big jump from an iPhone 13/14 but less necessary if you have a recent iPhone 16.
Follow these simple steps and you'll be on your way to a less overloaded, more organized iPhone or iPad.
If your iPhone or iPad freezes or has performance issues, try these tips.
Common Reasons Behind Rapid iPhone 14 Battery Drain
Outdated Software: Neglecting software updates can lead to inefficient power management. Battery Health: Over time, batteries wear out.
If someone taps your phone, you may notice subtle clues, like strange sounds interrupting your calls, a quickly draining battery, visual glitches, and more.
The 20-80 rule for iPhones suggests keeping the battery charge between 20% and 80% to minimize stress on the lithium-ion battery, thereby extending its overall lifespan and health by avoiding the high-stress points of full discharge (0%) and full charge (100%). While not a strict necessity for daily use, this practice reduces battery degradation by avoiding deep discharges and the taxing final 20% of charging, helping maintain battery capacity longer, though modern iPhones have built-in features like Optimized Battery Charging to manage this.
iPhone 6S is the oldest iPhone supported with security updates because it runs iOS 15, which was last updated in August 2025.
That means if you're using an iPhone 5 in 2025, you can still go online, send iMessages, and browse the web, but you can't make standard phone calls or send SMS texts.