Will iPhone 6S still work in 2026?

The quick answer is yes, the iPhone 6S will mostly still function in 2024, but its performance and capabilities will be extremely limited compared to newer iPhones. I would not recommend relying on a 6S as your daily smartphone past 2023. Upgrading to a newer used or budget model is a much better choice for most people.

But keep reading for my in-depth analysis on how usable the iconic 6S will be in 2024 and beyond! As an tech business analyst, I aim to provide as much helpful insight as possible to guide your decision.

Overview of the Now Vintage iPhone 6S

It may be hard to believe, but the iPhone 6S is now over 7 years old, first released in September 2015. In the fast-paced smartphone world, that qualifies it as a vintage device!

Let‘s recap the key specs and features of the 6S to see how it compares to today‘s iPhones:

• Display: 4.7-inch 1334 x 750 LCD (326 ppi)
• Dimensions: 5.44 x 2.64 x 0.28 inches, 5.04 oz weight
• Processor: Apple A9 chip, 1.84 GHz dual-core 64-bit
• Memory: 2GB RAM
• Storage: 16GB, 64GB, 128GB
• Rear Camera: 12MP, ƒ/2.2 aperture, no portrait mode
• Front Camera: 5MP, ƒ/2.2 aperture
• Video Recording: 4K @ 30 fps rear, 720p @ 30 fps front
• Biometrics: 2nd Gen Touch ID fingerprint sensor
• Battery: 1715 mAh (non-removable)
• Charging: Wired lightning connector (no wireless/fast charging)
• Cellular: 4G LTE (no 5G support)
• Water Resistance: None
• OS: Up to iOS 15 (likely the end of updates)

When it launched, the 6S was ahead of its time with features like 3D Touch and 4K video. But looking at 2023‘s smartphone landscape, its specifications seem dated across the board:

• Small battery with no fast charging
• Lower resolution non-HDR display
• Large bezels with no edge-to-edge design
• No portrait mode, night mode, or advanced camera features
• Lacks dust/water resistance
• Maximum 4G LTE speeds, no 5G support

While the 6S was an industry leader in 2015, virtually all of its specs have been surpassed by newer budget Android and iPhone models. Let‘s dig deeper into how this impacts usability.

Performance and Usability in the Modern Age

Powered by Apple‘s A9 processor and 2GB of RAM, the iPhone 6S is simply not equipped to deliver a smooth modern smartphone experience:

• The aging A9 chip benchmarks 5x slower than the iPhone 14‘s A16 processor
• 2GB RAM can‘t keep up with the demands of new iOS versions and large apps
• The small 1715 mAh battery necessitates charging multiple times per day

What does this mean in day to day use? You‘ll encounter significant lag and sluggishness, long app load times, limited multitasking ability, random shutdowns as the battery ages, and a need to recharge frequently.

While you can certainly still make calls, send messages, check email, and use simpler apps on an iPhone 6S in 2024, the performance will be noticeably choppy. And attempting more demanding tasks like gaming, video editing, and augmented reality will result in a subpar experience.

This will only get worse over time as apps are optimized for newer iPhones. The 6S will feel increasingly slow and outdated with everyday use in its twilight years.

Fading Software and App Support

Software support is crucial for a smartphone‘s longevity. Here is the 6S‘s software update timeline and projected future:

iOS Version	6S Support Status
iOS 9	Original launch OS
iOS 10	Supported
iOS 11	Supported
iOS 12	Supported
iOS 13	Supported
iOS 14	Supported
iOS 15	Partially supported
iOS 16	Not supported
iOS 17	Unlikely to be supported

As you can see, Apple has provided 6 years of iOS support, but iOS 16 and beyond will leave the 6S behind. Running an unsupported iOS comes with risks:

• Exposure to unpatched security vulnerabilities
• Loss of access to newer iOS features
• Instability and app crashing issues

Apps also tend to drop support for older iOS versions and devices after 3-5 years. By 2023 and beyond, many popular apps simply won‘t work properly on an iPhone 6S anymore due to outdated software.

Lack of updates and app support will make the iPhone 6S feel increasingly useless over time. It‘s unlikely to remain a truly functional smartphone past 2023.

Connectivity Limitations in the 5G Era

The cellular modem and antennas in the iPhone 6S only support a maximum 4G LTE speed of 300 Mbps. There is no 5G connectivity.

While 4G LTE networks are still available in 2024, they are increasingly congested as traffic shifts to the faster and more expansive 5G networks. You can expect a typical speed of just 10-30 Mbps on the 6S, with frequent slowdowns.

5G networks can offer speeds from 100 Mbps up to 1 Gbps in ideal conditions. You‘ll be missing out on 5-10x faster downloads and streaming compared to keeping a 6S past 2023. Laggy video calls, long music/video buffering, and website timeouts will become par for the course.

Diminishing Battery Health

One of the inevitable downsides of keeping a 7+ year old iPhone is diminished battery health. After this many charge cycles, the 6S‘s 1715 mAh battery is running on fumes:

• Typical capacity is now 70-80% of original capacity
• This means actual usage between charges is only 5-6 hours
• As the battery continues degrading, you may experience unexpected shutdowns as soon as 25-30% charge

Frequent charging sessions will be required to keep an aging 6S powered on. And replacing the battery is difficult due to the non-removable design. You‘ll have to pay Apple $49-69 for an official battery swap. A new battery can extend runtime closer to the original 8-10 hours.

But battery replacements only offer a temporary fix. Ongoing capacity loss will continue even with a new battery, requiring repeated costly repairs.

Outdated Cameras in the Multi-Lens Era

When the iPhone 6S launched, its 12MP rear and 5MP front cameras were ahead of most competitors. But camera hardware has since improved enormously across several metrics:

• Image resolution – 6S is 12MP rear/5MP front vs. 48MP to 108MP on new phones
• Aperture – 6S has slower f/2.2 vs. f/1.5-1.9 on new phones for better low light shots
• Sensor size – Smaller 6S sensor captures less detail and light
• AI processing – No Deep Fusion or Photonic Engine processing like on new iPhones
• Portrait mode – 6S lacks depth sensing so no sophisticated bokeh effects
• Low light – Night mode and advanced noise reduction now on new models
• Zoom – No optical zoom vs. 3x or greater lossless zoom on new iPhones

While the 6S cameras are usable in good lighting, image quality and features can‘t match what newer iPhones produce. You‘ll miss out on superior optics and computational photography.

Sample Photo Comparison – iPhone 6S vs iPhone 14 Pro

Check out this real world low light photo example comparing the iPhone 6S to the iPhone 14 Pro:

It‘s easy to see the better sharpness, color, and detail the iPhone 14 Pro captures compared to the now dated 6S.

Similar differences are noticeable in optimal lighting too. After 7 years of camera innovation, virtually any newer phone will outshoot the vintage 6S.

Security Risks of Using an Outdated iPhone

Apple typically provides security updates for iPhones for 5-6 years after their release. The 6S has not received any new security patches since iOS 15 in late 2021.

This poses significant risks, as undiscovered exploits likely exist that hackers could utilize to:

• Bypass lock screens
• Covertly access private data and sensors
• Inject malware, ransomware, or viruses

Outdated apps also become security liabilities over time. Continuing to use inherently insecure software represents a major risk.

While you can somewhat mitigate risks by avoiding unsecured WiFi and limiting app permissions, your data is exponentially more vulnerable on an unsupported 6S versus a newer iPhone receiving routine security updates.

Diminished Resale Value

With Apple no longer manufacturing or selling the iPhone 6S for several years now, its resale value has plunged.

According to data from SellCell, 6S trade-in/resale values now average just $30 to $90 depending on condition.

Contrast that to a one year old iPhone 12, which retains 65% of original value at $500+ in resale.

This sharp decline in value reflects the 6S‘s obsolete status. Trying to sell a 6S in 2024 returns very little compared to what you likely paid initially. Its usefulness and longevity are too low to demand a higher price now.

The Verdict on Using an iPhone 6S in 2024

Given its dated components across the board plus lack of software support, I advise against relying on an iPhone 6S as your daily smartphone past 2023.

While it can technically still power on and perform basic functions like calls and texts, the experience will be slow, limited, and potentially unsafe:

• Laggy performance with limited multitasking ability
• Diminished battery life requiring frequent charging
• Lack of software and security updates
• No 5G connectivity and degraded 4G speeds
• Mediocre cameras that lag behind modern photography
• Overall higher risk of instability and app crashes

You‘ll miss out on major quality of life improvements by clinging to a 6S versus upgrading to a newer device. The cons outweigh the pros in 2024 and beyond.

The 6S served its owners well for many years. But in today‘s world of supercharged smartphones, it‘s best retired to spare/emergency device status once you‘ve gotten your money‘s worth.

There are now plenty of affordable options including used/refurbished iPhones and new budget Androids that outclass the 6S for under $300. The marginal savings of an obsolete 6S no longer justify its limitations.

Viable Alternatives to Consider

Rather than trying to prolong an iPhone 6S past 2023, you‘ll be much better served with these alternatives:

Upgrade to a Used/Refurbished iPhone

• iPhone XR ($230-$280) – Same screen size, hugely better camera and speed
• iPhone 11 ($300-$350) – Excellent dual camera system and A13 chip
• iPhone 12 ($400-$500) – Lightning fast A14 chip, OLED display, 5G

Purchase a New Budget iPhone

• iPhone SE 2022 ($429) – A15 chip matches iPhone 13 speed for under $450
• iPhone 14 ($799) – Cutting edge dual camera design and 6.1" Super Retina XDR display

Switch to an Affordable Android

• Google Pixel 6a ($449) – Cutting edge Pixel camera, clean Android experience
• Samsung Galaxy A53 5G ($449) – 120Hz AMOLED display, quad camera array

Any of these options will feel lightyears ahead of an aging iPhone 6S in terms of performance, battery life, connectivity, cameras, and future-proofing.

It‘s understandable to want to hold onto a classic like the 6S as long as possible. But as we approach 2023, it‘s no longer worth the ever-growing list of compromises compared to affordable alternatives. Upgrading is the wise choice to stay current.

I hope this technology advice has been helpful as you decide whether to keep or upgrade your iPhone 6S! Let me know if any other questions come up.