Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Child-safe in minutes.

Meet the Other Phone.
Child-safe in minutes.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Has anyone had an iPhone actually last 3 years?

187 replies

OnlyCans · 27/07/2021 21:32

I've always had Samsung but 2.5 years ago I had my head turned by the Apple Watch and purchased an XR. In the last month, My phone screen freezes, the battery is shit and it only charges when it wants.

I didn't mind spending loads (if I remember it was £5/6/700) on it because i figured I would keep it for years. At the time, they were advertising three year contracts so I also thought that would be a minimum time.

I thought they had been banned from affecting performance so I don't know why this is happening. I paid the contract off early so maybe o2 are doing something to me 😂

Is it just me or is it common?

I still prefer Samsung but I don't want to waste the money selling my Apple stuff and replacing.

OP posts:
THisbackwithavengeance · 28/07/2021 08:08

I got the very first iPhone 5 when it came out - just googled it - 2012. Still going strong last year when DD accidentally smashed it so I then inherited DS1's old Samsung.

It made phone calls, sent texts and WhatsApps, allowed me to get internet access and took photos which is all I require from a mobile phone.

My kids were horrified at the fact that clearly I technically could've afforded to go out and buy myself the latest iPhone but chose not to.

onemouseplace · 28/07/2021 08:14

@beingsunny

Have had my iPhone 8+ for four years now, keep waiting for it to go wrong so I can upgrade but it's still going strong Grin
I’ve had mine for 3.5 and the same. Previous iPhones definitely went after 2 - 2.5 years, but this one is still going strong.
stuffnthings · 28/07/2021 08:17

Interesting you mention the XR. I've got an XR and it's certainly the worst performing of all iPhones I've owned since the 3G. I've had the microphone and speakers replaced, mixed battery performance and am now getting regular call drop outs despite strong signal strength.

All other iPhones and Apple products we've had in the household have been great and lasted for many years, it's just this iPhone XR that has been a problem.

BearPear · 28/07/2021 08:21

I just changed my iPhone 7, I’ve had it since they first came out so 5+ years? The battery was excellent and the only reason I changed (to the SE) was because it was so full of pictures, screenshots and memes that there was not enough memory to do any new software updates.
I’ve had iPhones since the 3 and never had an issue.

userchange902 · 28/07/2021 08:22

I change my phone more frequently than that but my work iPhones have lasted longer than 3 years, my current work iPhone is positively ancient!

DancesWithTortoises · 28/07/2021 08:26

Mine's 5 years old now and I'm thinking it's time ...

AtPanAtPan · 28/07/2021 08:41

Yes, have an iPhone X since Nov 2018. Also have an iPad Air 1st Gen since 2014 and although it’s a little slower in the last year was fine up until then. I think it’s a minority of people who have issues

Datingandnoideahowto · 28/07/2021 08:44

I’m using a 6 plus. It used to be my dds and I’ve no idea how old it is. Ancient.

I’ve recently replaced the battery and I have no issues with it. I’ll use it til it dies.

Mysterylovingboy · 28/07/2021 08:59

My original iPhone 5 broke after 3.5 years but my DD is still using my original iPhone SE from 2016 - still going strong after 5 years, though I did replace the battery before passing it on. My iphone 7 from 2016 is also still working well.

Until recently DM was still using a handmedown iPhone 5, and it was still working at 8 years old. Changed because was no longer getting updates (though Apple keeps security updates going much longer than other brands), and memory too small.

IME iPhone have lasted really well and I'll keep on buying them. I'm also flabbergasted by my 2015 MacBook which still functions better than the expensive PC laptops I have at work, which always seem to fail after 2-3 years. Both get equally heavy usage. The MacBook battery is incredible - can still keep me going most of the day whilst my pc work laptops start well and then within about 1 year the battery is so poor I need to carry my charger everywhere - and these are top of the line, reputable brands.

onemouseplace · 28/07/2021 09:04

I've also got an ancient ipad mini (possibly 8 years old?) that the DC use - it hasn't updated in years, but still seems to be able to play netflix, youtube and just about got DD1 through uploading her homelearning.

I have a newer one (maybe 4 years old) that works and updates no problems at all.

ChainJane · 28/07/2021 09:05

I've had my SE for 4 years now with one battery change to date, otherwise fine.

iPhone batteries seem more prone to wear than other phones I've had. Since I replaced it I've been more careful about not letting it get too low charged, but also not charging it until it gets to about 40%. I think you're meant to keep it between 40% to 90% for best longevity. Charging every day or leaving it plugged in when the battery is fully charged reduces lifespan.

ErrolTheDragon · 28/07/2021 09:05

I'm on my second iPhone, it's fine. DD had a battery replaced in her previous one, they managed to 'goose' it so they replaced the whole phone. DH had one fall foul of the reduction in performance problem just before it was publicised but fine other than that.

Re battery life, it helps to only charge them with the little lower power charger rather than fast chargers. Easy to stick it on at night.

The only thing I don't like is that they're all a bit big now, I preferred the smaller one I had before.

BikeRunSki · 28/07/2021 09:09

My iPhone 8 was 2 yrs 9 months old when I dropped it and smashed it to smithereens.I only replaced it (with an SE) because it was damaged beyond repair.

YouCantBeSadHoldingACupcake · 28/07/2021 09:13

iPhone 8 is now nearly 4 years old. I had it for 2 years, then ds1 had it for a year now dd4 has almost had it for a year. Battery only lasts a couple of hours playing roblox, but that would use a lot of battery on any phone. The home button packed in about 6 months ago, but there was a option to install a divine on the screen so functions absolutely fine

whoslaughingnow73 · 28/07/2021 09:26

We've had iPhones for about 15 years all told. I get a new one when DHs battery goes then DH has my old one. The old ones have been lasting us 5-6 years!

Never had one die on me yet! The batteries just get so old they need charging a lot and it hits a point where you can no longer do the updates. When that happens it's time for a new one.

NelleBee · 28/07/2021 09:26

@OnlyCans If your phone is only charging intermittently it’s more likely to be a faulty charging cable or your charging port needs cleaning.

Also check which apps a draining your battery. FB App is terrible for draining batteries, I don’t have the FB App anymore.

whoslaughingnow73 · 28/07/2021 09:29

Oh and my IPad is 10 years old! Works perfectly. Just can't get all of the apps on it anymore (Netflix!) because they're unsupported. I've stopped updating it/current apps but touch wood no issues. I will replace it when it dies.

ErrolTheDragon · 28/07/2021 09:44

We use our old iPhones as iPods once they're past being updated - certainly wouldn't use them for anything where security might matter like email let alone banking. The old small one is better for sticking in my pocket and not a disaster if it drops out when I'm gardening or whatever.

JulesRimetStillGleaming · 28/07/2021 09:46

I still use many last two iPhones (for Pokémon go) and both work perfectly except could do with new batteries.

So that's a 2.5 year old iPhone 8 and at least a 5 year old iPhone SE (the original one).

JulesRimetStillGleaming · 28/07/2021 09:47

*my

Brainwave89 · 28/07/2021 10:10

To be fair I have a work and personal one. Personal one is now six years old. I have replaced the battery once but that is it.

HopingForOurRainbowBaby · 28/07/2021 10:35

I'm onto my 4th year now with the iPhone 7

PussGirl · 28/07/2021 10:42

I've recently stopped using my iPhone 5S after more than six years - it was pretty crap for the last couple of years in terms of storage capacity, battery etc

As iPhones were getting bigger & bigger I just didn't want another but now have a 12 Mini which is great

fluffiphlox · 28/07/2021 11:06

Just replaced my 6plus. It had had a new battery but other than that it was fine. I couldn’t use the Track and Trace app on it, hence the replacement.

C8H10N4O2 · 28/07/2021 13:46

Oh wow. Aré a small percentage of us doing something massively wrong then???

I've had iPhones pretty much since they came out, always two on the go (work and personal). Typically use for a few years then pass on to kids/others.

Apart from one or two faulty recalled devices battery life is a function of the apps you install more than anything else. I can have notably different battery life on two identical phones with different apps install.

Apple build the phones but they can't ensure every crappy app on the apple store has performant code, especially those which set up frequent background refresh of data by default (which kills your data as well as your battery)