Apple iPhone 16
How long will it last?
Our estimateSupported until September 2031 · Buy-by September 2029
Apple doesn't publish an end date, but iPhones have a consistent ~7-year update track record — on that basis the iPhone 16 should be supported until around September 2031. Buying it today still gets you about 5.3 years of safe use (Apple's written legal minimum is 5 years).
Source: Apple's documentation · last verified 2026-06-10 · how we compute this
TrueCost
Street price ÷ months of safe use remaining — the number that makes cheap short-lived phones expensive, and well-supported ones cheap.
25% cheaper than the $600–900 median ($14.81/mo, dying phones excluded)
Our verdict
Now $100 below launch with five-plus years of expected updates left, the iPhone 16 is the quiet value pick of Apple's lineup — if you can live with its 60Hz screen.
Pros
- A18 chip still flies and supports Apple Intelligence
- Expected support into 2031 on Apple's historical pattern
- Lighter and more compact than most flagships (170g)
- Camera Control button and solid 48MP main camera
Cons
- 60Hz display feels dated next to the iPhone 17's 120Hz
- Apple's written guarantee is only 5 years of security updates (history suggests ~7)
- Charging speeds trail Android rivals
Full specifications
Display
💡 Bigger numbers = smoother scrolling (Hz) and easier outdoor reading (nits).
| Screen | 6.1-inch Super Retina XDR OLED, 60Hz, up to 2000 nits peak |
Performance
💡 The phone's brain — it decides speed today and how well it ages.
| Chipset | Apple A18 |
| RAM | 8GB |
| Storage | 128GB / 256GB / 512GB |
Cameras
💡 Megapixels aren't everything — lens variety matters more day-to-day.
| main | 48MP — 48MP Fusion camera with 2x in-sensor zoom |
| ultra-wide | 12MP — with macro mode |
| front | 12MP |
Battery & charging
💡 Capacity in mAh — bigger usually means longer between charges.
| Battery | 3,561 mAh |
| Charging | Wired fast charge — 50% in ~30 min with 20W+ adapter; MagSafe wireless up to 25W |
Build
💡 Size, weight, and the materials between your phone and the floor.
| Dimensions | 147.6 × 71.6 × 7.8 mm |
| Weight | 170 g |
| Materials | Aluminum frame, Ceramic Shield front |
| Water resistance | IP68 |
Software & connectivity
💡 The software it ships with, and how far it can upgrade.
| Software | iOS 18 at launch |
| Connectivity | 5G, Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 5.3, NFC, USB-C |
| Update policy | ~7 years of updates (our estimate from Apple's track record — written minimum is 5 years) |
Better-value alternatives
Similar price, lower cost per month of safe ownership.
Frequently asked questions
Is the iPhone 16 still getting updates in 2026?
Yes. The iPhone 16 launched in September 2024 and runs the latest iOS. Based on Apple's consistent track record of roughly seven years of updates, we estimate support until around September 2031 — Apple's written legal guarantee is a minimum of five years (September 2029).
How many years will the iPhone 16 last?
Bought in mid-2026, you can reasonably expect about five more years of software support on Apple's historical pattern. The A18 chip has plenty of headroom; plan for a battery replacement around year three or four.
Should I buy the iPhone 16 or iPhone 17?
The 17 adds a 120Hz ProMotion display, a bigger battery, and one extra year of support for $100 more. If you keep phones a long time, the 17 is the better cost-per-month buy; if you upgrade every 2–3 years, the 16 at $699 is excellent value.
Does the iPhone 16 have a 120Hz display?
No — the iPhone 16 has a 60Hz display. ProMotion 120Hz only came to the base model with the iPhone 17.
Compare it
Specs are collected from manufacturer documentation; prices reflect major US retailers and change often. Support end dates follow each brand's official policy (or, for Apple, its documented historical pattern). Last verified 2026-06-10.