Apple iPhone
The Apple iPhone 15 offers a blend of performance, design, and advanced features, making it a compelling choice for users seeking a reliable and versatile smartphone. Equipped with the A16 Bionic chip, a 6.1-inch Super Retina XDR display, and an advanced dual-camera system.
Why r/BuyItForLife recommends it
11 mentions from real owners
- #1Dec 5, 2025
Cheapest phone that isn't so old I can't download apps? iPhone 7 is causing me problems.
Get the first iPhone with a usb c, iPhone 15. Like others have said, 7 years of software support is fairly standard. It’s about $700, if you use the phone for 5 years that works out to about $11 a month. I also like the pixel line of phones which will be significantly cheaper and in my opinion they are just as good as an iPhone.
View on Redditopen_in_new - #2Dec 5, 2025
Cheapest phone that isn't so old I can't download apps? iPhone 7 is causing me problems.
Yeah the 7 year rule is pretty solid advice but honestly you could probably get away with an iPhone 12 or 13 right now and be good for like 3-4 more years. Those are way cheaper than the newest budget models and still get iOS updates. Just check swappa or your carrier for refurb deals
View on Redditopen_in_new - #3Dec 5, 2025
Cheapest phone that isn't so old I can't download apps? iPhone 7 is causing me problems.
I’m sorry but do you really think someone still running an iPhone 7 will want to install a custom OS on a Pixel? OP should 100% get something like an iPhone 15 or newer and run it for another 5-7 years
View on Redditopen_in_new - #4Dec 5, 2025
Cheapest phone that isn't so old I can't download apps? iPhone 7 is causing me problems.
iPhone 13 for free if you switch to metro
View on Redditopen_in_new - #5Dec 5, 2025
Cheapest phone that isn't so old I can't download apps? iPhone 7 is causing me problems.
I have an iPhone SE 3 that I haven't had any issues with. I got it used for under $200. When it breaks or becomes obsolete, I'll upgrade to the iPhone 16e (I think is what it's called? Whatever their cheapest one is). That should happen in a year or two. That's just how it is with technology like this these days – it will become obsolete eventually. I think upgrading your phone every 3-5 years to a refurbished model and paying $200 cash each time isn't a big deal? I'm also on a 5GB Tello plan that's $14/month. That's enough data for Maps and Music while I'm driving around, which is all I use data for. So that's another way to save money on a smartphone – don't get an expensive data plan.
View on Redditopen_in_new - #6Dec 5, 2025
Cheapest phone that isn't so old I can't download apps? iPhone 7 is causing me problems.
I just got a free iphone 16e with 2 year contract.
View on Redditopen_in_new - #7Dec 5, 2025
Cheapest phone that isn't so old I can't download apps? iPhone 7 is causing me problems.
The cheapest will also be the oldest, which will just mean you’ll have the same problem next year. Generally seven years is the support timeframe for smartphones, so software updates won’t be available for models older than that. You’re better off getting the latest budget model, so like an iPhone 16e or Pixel 9a
View on Redditopen_in_new - #8Dec 4, 2025
Cheapest phone that isn't so old I can't download apps? iPhone 7 is causing me problems.
For $500 or less (if renewed) you can get iPhone 16e. That's new enough to keep it working for 5+ years.
View on Redditopen_in_new - #9Sep 5, 2025
What kind of Iphone is actually gonna last?
My iPhone 11 is about five years old and only needed its first battery replacement last year. That’s all it’s needed. It might be a your phone issue.
View on Redditopen_in_new - #10Jun 7, 2025
I need to keep this phone for as long as possible!
I have an iPhone 13 that I got in 2022. In general iPhones last a long time. For reference this is my iPhone history: *iPhone 4S: Oct., 2010 to Jan., 2013 (it died) *iPhone 5: Jan., 2013 to Aug., 2017 (the screen cracked and I fixed it but I decided I wanted something newer) *iPhone 7: Aug., 2017 to Dec., 2018 (only traded it in because an iPhone X was cheaper than the monthly payment I had on the 7; plus Apple gave me a $250 GC) *iPhone X: Dec., 2018 to June, 2022 (traded it in for an iPhone 12 which was free for 36 months; the phone was paid off but it was starting to get a little buggy) *iPhone 12: since June, 2022 (no real issues with the phone yet, which is good! I believe the phone is officially paid off this month….it was listed as a credit on my phone bill monthly as it was $0 for x months (usually 36 months IIRC). My husband had a iPhone 4S from 2010 to 2015; somehow his lasted a long time and mine was a dud. In 2015 he got an iPhone 6 and then he used that until my then 12 year old daughter needed a phone in 2018 (that phone died in early 2019). He then had his 8+ plus from 2018 to 2022 and the only reason I had him replace it then with the iPhone 12 is because I had a feeling it would be obsolete for software upgrades soon after that, and the monthly payment was less than $10/month and I didn’t want his phone dying and being stuck with a $50/month phone payment on the newest phone because he didn’t have a working trade in.
View on Redditopen_in_new - #11Jun 7, 2025
I need to keep this phone for as long as possible!
I put off getting a smart phone until circumstances kinda forced our family to. We would chaperone for school events a lot and my little LG ENV couldn’t understand let alone keep up with all the group texting that would happen on trips. Got an iPhone 5(c?) in 2014. Then was forced to upgrade because of 5G…got an iPhone XS in 2020, and it’s still working just fine. So yeah…always getting 5+ years…
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