Oldest viable i phone?

[OutInTheShed]

Thinking of buying a used/refurb i phone, likely from these guys,
https://www.theioutlet.com/

What's the oldest ios that's not going to drive me mad? what's the cheapest phone which will function as a 4G phone, run fairly normal simple apps etc?
Needs GPS.

I don't want to spend more than I need, because it will be outdoors a lot and quite likely get broken.
I've been android up to now but minded to change sides.

TIA.

[funinhounslow]

iPhones X/8/8+ run the current iOS (16) but will not run iOS17 due out later this year.

I really wouldn’t bother with models older than this.

I still use an 8+. The camera is poor by today’s standards (though perfectly adequate for snapshots in decent light) but apart from that does all I need.

These phones are still capable phones, fine for day to day use and will receive security updates for some time yet…

[Mr E]

How much do you want to spend?
Used SE 2020 likely to do everything you need and have a couple of years support left in the platform.

[littleredrooster]

Depends what you want to use it for.

I have an iPhone 5C c.2015 which has Google Maps, Waze and W3W on it. It also holds my entire music library but no SIM card. I only use it as a SatNav/Music source on the bike; it is tethered to my main phone for the data it needs for Waze.

As it's worth about 30 quid at best, I'm happy to leave it in its mount on the bike when I pay for petrol etc.

[Techno9000]

I'm using a 2016 iPhone SE. Apple are still updating the iOS, presumably with security updates. The last in the the current month.

I bought it as I was specifically looking for a small phone. I got a 128Gb model so I could put a copy of my entire music library on it. Works a treat for all the usual stuff.

[OutInTheShed]

Thanks all.

I intend to use it for phone, internet, music library, the odd snapshot and a couple of GPS aps.
I'd prefer a smaller phone.

[Whataguy]

Mr E said:

How much do you want to spend?
Used SE 2020 likely to do everything you need and have a couple of years support left in the platform.

These are great phones, I picked one up with a new battery for £150 and it runs everything my iPhone 13 used to and at a good speed.

[x5tuu]

Techno9000 said:

I'm using a 2016 iPhone SE. Apple are still updating the iOS, presumably with security updates. The last in the the current month.

I bought it as I was specifically looking for a small phone. I got a 128Gb model so I could put a copy of my entire music library on it. Works a treat for all the usual stuff.

They aren’t updating the OS at all. They have released sporadic security updates but that’s expected to cease with iOS 17 release and the fact that it’ll be over 7yrs old then.

[Haltamer]

2020 SE is the way to go.

I've been using one recently, fed up with lugging around a giant Note10+ and it was surplus at work.

Quite pleased; Smooth operation, wireless charing, NFC and every other modern doohicky you could need - I Prefer touchID to face ID As well, so that helps.

It's a good size, if a little small for me - Battery life is ok, it's a small battery so a quick plugin will get you plenty of charge even if it does drain a bit faster.

[toohuge]

Techno9000 said:

I'm using a 2016 iPhone SE. Apple are still updating the iOS, presumably with security updates. The last in the the current month.

I bought it as I was specifically looking for a small phone. I got a 128Gb model so I could put a copy of my entire music library on it. Works a treat for all the usual stuff.

I'm using one of these too - however this thread prompted me to check the apple list of supported phones and unfortunately it's fallen off the list this year....

Given the time of year - July essentially - I'm waiting for the iPhone 15 in September as Apple themselves cite a 7 year support cycle iirc and I'd like to find another to serve me as well as this one did.

[rdjohn]

OutInTheShed said:

Thanks all.

I intend to use it for phone, internet, music library, the odd snapshot and a couple of GPS aps.
I'd prefer a smaller phone.

My wife has an iPhone 7 and still loves it - she also only has very basic needs and its smallsize fits easily i. Her handback. It will need a new battery shortly.

[Puzzles]

The X still seems to work fine but who knows for how much longer.

[eeLee]

I run an X and am sad that the planned obsolescence from Apple includes this. Having said that, it's six years old and would need a 2nd battery replacement this year - so a 15 Pro was already on the cards for me.

It's still smooth in iOS16 and rarely lags.

The question for many would be do you want bleeding edge iOS17 or to live with iOS16 until it's no longer maintained. I have an iPad Mini 3 which runs iOS12 and does what I need (not a lot, admittedly, a little Kindle here and there).....you can use these things still but they will eventually lose Apps and not work to browse properly eventually......

[funinhounslow]

I’m in the same position with my 8+. To be fair expecting a six year phone to run the latest operating system is a little optimistic and iOS 16 will get security updates for some time yet.

I’ll see what the 15 is like before making a decision but am loath to spend the best part of a grand while the 8 still does all what I want.

There may be deals on the outgoing 14 pro which may be a better option.

[geeks]

I would skip the 2020SE and for for the 2022 if you can, can be bought brand new for about £400 has a better camera, battery and cpu than the 2020

[MesoForm]

rdjohn said:

My wife has an iPhone 7 and still loves it - she also only has very basic needs and its smallsize fits easily i. Her handback. It will need a new battery shortly.

My work phone is an 8 and is the same size as the 7, works fine.
Here's the iOS compatability chart if that helps


SE 2020 looks the one to go for that's basic and is going to last a long time in terms of updates.