Steer Clear of These 12 iPhones in 2026: Here's What You Need to Know

Clinging to an older iPhone, with its classic design, may hold a certain allure, especially for fans of Apple Inc.'s earlier devices, but doing so in 2026 comes with significant drawbacks, including restricted software support and pricey repair hurdles.

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As iPhones age, they progressively lose access to the latest iOS updates, with some possibly receiving occasional security patches, but users risk forfeiting new features and vital protections that impact performance, app compatibility, and overall security.

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Another critical concern is the hardware support, as once an iPhone is deemed "vintage," repairs become less dependable due to the scarcity of replacement parts, making maintenance increasingly challenging.

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Apple has designated 12 iPhone models, released between 2015 and 2019, as "vintage," including the iPhone 6s, iPhone 6s Plus, iPhone 7, iPhone 7 Plus, iPhone 7 (PRODUCT)RED, iPhone 8, iPhone 8 Plus, iPhone X, iPhone XS, iPhone XS Max, iPhone 11 Pro, and iPhone 11 Pro Max.

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According to Apple, a product is considered "vintage" if it has been off the market for more than five years but less than seven, after which it becomes "obsolete" and the company no longer offers hardware servicing.

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Although some vintage devices may still be repairable, this largely depends on the availability of parts, and in certain regions, such as France, regulations mandate extended support, but this coverage is not guaranteed globally.

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Vintage iPhones, despite still being functional, are not recommended for daily use due to the difficulty of repairs, particularly in areas where spare parts are hard to come by, and even minor damage could render a device unusable.

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Security is also a growing concern, as some of these models no longer support the latest updates, leaving users vulnerable to potential vulnerabilities and software exploits.