What's the cheapest iPhone I can get away with?

[outandunder]

I usually buy a second hand iphone (I'm on a sim only plan) from eBay or online (I struggle to get to a town centre with work/kids) but I'm totally bamboozked this time.
I have apple everything so definitely want an iPhone
Can I get away with an iPhone X (256gb) ?

Just need something cheap but reliable, I just use my phone for listening to podcasts and doomscrolling and photos of the kids (occasional phone calls too )

Anyone have any useful advice?

Current phone is dying which is why I ask....

I always buy refurbished iPhones from music magpie. They're always like brand new or almost new condition, very cheap and they have all iPhones on there to choose from.
I never buy the latest models. Currently have iPhone 7. I could definitely do with an upgrade as there's been a couple of times I can't download apps because the IOS version is a bit behind. Other than that, it's absolutely fine for me for now, as I also don't upgrade until my phone dies...

Music magpie also do fast delivery, plus 12 months free warranty (at least they did when I most recently purchased from them)

I buy from backmarket, had a few decent phones for the whole family.
I currently have an 8 and when I upgrade I usually jump 2-3 phones, so if it died now I'd go for an X or whatever I could afford in or around an X.

I have an iPhone 11 and I’m looking to upgrade soon, it’s just becoming very slow and there’s a few apps I haven’t been able to download.

I think iPhone are only supporting back to SE

DH had to upgrade recently as the IOS couldn't be updated anymore so his bank app etc wouldn't work

Just checked, iPhone X is only getting security upgrades now

https://support.apple.com/en-gb/guide/iphone/iphe3fa5df43/ios will tell you which phones support the absolute latest system software (currently iOS 18), which should support any software you want.

https://www.morgancomputers.co.uk/search.php?search_query=iphone are a good supplier for older / refurb kit, and sell a few of those models for <£200.

Having said that, you don't need to be on the absolute latest iOS but the clock is ticking once you're on a phone that Apple won't update. Eventually you'll want some software that demands an iOS version than you can't get.

So I've got an iPhone 7 (stuck on iOS 15) which I'm using for software testing, probably all of about £50 worth on eBay! It would probably work just fine day-to-day, but I suspect some apps might support it any more.

Also NB if you're buying older phones, you want some idea of a phone's battery age, or factor in someone to replace it (£40-80 when the time comes depending on model).

What is dying on your current phone? For me it's usually the battery so I buy new phones not second hand. I'd spend 400 on an iPhone 12 if buying today. I wish batteries were swappable like the old Nokia days.

I don't profess to be an expert on phones (anything but!) however I don't think you can go wrong with an SE... basic but does the job. Most recent model is 2022 version so not that old. We're about to buy one on Backmarket for one of our DC.

I wouldn't get the 64GB version of any phone because it is too limiting for storing apps and photos / videos (before they get backed up to the cloud).

I second the SE it’s a more basic model so you can get a newer phone which will last longer.

The screen. It was replaced and has never been as good - but fair point maybe I just need a new screen. Battery management is about 73% which isn't great, but I'm very rarely away from a plug (sadly!)

I've currently got XS but it's just updated to iso 18.1 so still life in the old dog! Just the crappy screen letting it down