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Comment by desertraven | Hacker News Reader

I have had my iPhone 6S for six years now, and it’s still going strong. I’ve replaced the battery a couple of times and the screen more than a couple. I can do everything I need with it, and it’s the perfect size. So I have no desire to upgrade until I must.

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The 6S is now out of software update range. You need at least an 8 for iOS 16.

Within two years most apps will probably stop supporting iOS 15 so you’ll start having issues.

It’s obviously served you great, but it might be time. And the difference in performance (CPU and camera) will floor you. Plus wireless charging is awesome.

> It’s obviously served you great, but it might be time.

Isn't it sad that there has to be a "time" to upgrade? Why can't phones be like refrigerators or microwaves where if you don't care about the latest features you can just buy them once and keep them for 20+ years?

> Within two years most apps will probably stop supporting iOS 15 so you’ll start having issues.

Some might, but I don't think most will, and I feel overall there's a fair chance they may not run into many problems. Let's look at the top 20 apps' iOS requirements for their latest app version: - ZOOM - iOS 8.0 - TikTok - iOS 10.0 - Disney+ - iOS 14.0 - YouTube - iOS 12.0 - Instagram - iOS 12.4 - Facebook - iOS 13.4 - Snapchat - iOS 12.0 - Messenger - iOS 11.0 - Gmail - iOS 13.0 - Cash App - iOS 13.0 - Amazon Shopping - iOS 13.0 - Netflix - iOS 14.0 - Google Maps - iOS 13.4 - DoorDash - iOS 14.0 - Spotify - iOS 13.0 - Widgetsmith - iOS 14.0 - WhatsApp - iOS 12.0 - Venmo - iOS 13.0 - Google - iOS 14.0 - Google Meet - iOS 13.0

So 7 of these apps can have their latest version run on the iPhone 5S (iOS 12), which released nearly 9 years ago and hasn't received a major update in almost 4 years. None of these apps require the latest version of iOS, and only 4 of them require the second most recent version of iOS.

However, many if not most of these apps will allow you to download an older version if you aren't running the latest iOS version, and it will often continue to work. Realistically, most people probably won't care if their Gmail app is running an old version if it still works.

> It’s obviously served you great, but it might be time.

If it becomes an issue, they can upgrade at that time if they feel it is necessary. I don't see any reason to upgrade prematurely though.

Yes, in theory their device will be insecure once it stops receiving updates. In practice, I'm aware of exceptionally few people who have been infected by a virus on an unsupported iPhone. They can disable JavaScript in the browser if they want to be extra secure (not that that mitigates all vulnerabilities, but unless they're notably rich, famous or powerful, they're probably unlikely to be targeted.)

I have a similar outlook, in that I'll upgrade when forced. Even now I sometimes encounter apps that won't run on the phone, but they're yet to be so essential to warrant an upgrade.

Original SE for me, also six years old. One screen replacement, original battery.

Only things I'd change about it if I could would be more space and a better camera.

I suppose the OS upgrade treadmill will move on sometime in the next year and I'll have no choice but to replace something that's otherwise perfectly serviceable, and it's too bad there will be nothing with a headphone jack.

As someone in the same situation, I plan on keepng the SE as a music player after it loses support.

i have a 6S and only had 1 battery change, and that was on apple, since mine was recalled for a defective battery problem.

as noted in my other comment, i'd be ok with a full screen version of this phone if they put the home button on the side and keep the fingerprint scanner (in button or in screen) and leave off the front facing camera (pinhole camera is acceptable too, but not a notch). i'd prefer to keep the headphone jack, but that's probably asking too much of apple.

> i'd prefer to keep the headphone jack, but that's probably asking too much of apple.

Yeah the headphone jack being removed pissed me off too. However the lighting to 3.5mm adaptor isn't as bad as I thought it would be. Sure it was an extra £9 I wish I didn't have to spend, but was also a figure that I didn't lose any sleep over when ordering it.

The adaptor just lives on my headphones as I use a differnt pair at my desk. The only reservation about it now is "Will it fray like all other apple cables do with time?"

EDIT: Also had a 6s. Had 2 battery changes and the phone was due for a 3rd before recently just swapping the phone. First was done by Apple for free (excluding the cost of travelling to the Apple store and turning it into a shopping day :-P), the other I did myself at home with a 3rd party battery.

Holding onto my 6s as long as I can, because of the headphone jack. My headphones are kind of expensive. I also plug them into my laptop. If I'm putting an adapter on and off all the time I'll keep losing adapters, but I'd rather not buy a second pair of nice headphones.

A silicone tether like the ones you can get for the cap on the Apple Pencil. Yeah another item you shouldn’t need. But it would keep the adapter tethered to the cable so you won’t lose it as you swap between phone and laptop.

yah, headphone jack isn't a deal killer, but i do like having it. an adapter is ok but not great.

You’d rather have big iPhone 6s bezels than a notch? I agree that a hole punch is preferable to a notch. I really wish they’d put a fingerprint scanner in the Apple logo on the back of the phone.

i don't want the bezels, but it's what i have, and the notch is just as unappealing to me, along with faceID and no home button. i'm hoping to skip the notch when i upgrade.

the back would be ok, but one of the reasons i like the side button with fingerprint sensor (or in-screen) is that it can be face up on a surface and you can still actuate the sensor. it's not that big a difference, but it is slightly better UX.

i also like the fingerprint version over faceID because it's not 2 steps to open the phone most of the time, but still gives you the option to see the preview screen when desired (pressing the home button with the fingernail/fingertip).

Just wondering, how much did it cost to get the battery and screen replaced? And did you do it via Apple or a third-party repair shop?

Apple’s battery replacement service is about $50 including shipping. Took a little less than a week for me.

Interesting, $50 isn't too bad. What did you do while your phone was gone for repairs? Did they give you a loaner?

They will give you a loaner but I think the vast majority of Americans live close enough to an Apple Store where they'll swap the battery in 30-60 minutes. I pop in, drop the phone off, go fuck off for a beer or two, come back to a fresh new battery. Super straightforward.

> I think the vast majority of Americans live close enough to an Apple Store

I don't, which is I why I was asking haha.

I actually did it myself with instructions online. The screen is a bit of a pain because everything sits on top of the screen, so every component need to be removed and then reinstalled on the new screen. Battery is only 10 minutes.

As for how much, I think $20 for battery, $50 for screen (iirc)

That's impressive! I would never trust myself to repair my own hardware haha.

I suppose that's an advantage of having such an old phone, you can take risks without expensive consequences. In saying that, once you've done it once the risk is low with the right precautions (outlined in the online guides).

Well the ”must” is arriving this fall unfortunately. The 6s is not going to receive iOS 16. It had a really good run though, I believe the longest of any iPhone so far but I figure it’s only going to keep getting longer now that they stopped being so stingy with RAM

I was holding out with my 6s until a month ago but finally jumped ship to a 13 mini. It's a great upgrade. Unfortunately staying on an old iOS version isn't possible since apps will start requiring iOS 16 at some point.

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