Apple iPhone 4s
How long will it last?
Our estimateSupported until October 2016 · Buy-by October 2014
Apple doesn't publish an end date, but iPhones have a consistent ~5-year update track record — on that basis the iPhone 4s should be supported until around October 2016. Buying it today still gets you about -9.7 years of safe use, and Apple's written legal minimum is 5 years (verified June 2026).
Source: source · last verified 2026-06-18 · how we compute this
Our verdict
The iPhone 4s introduced Siri and enjoyed about five years of iOS updates, an unusually long run that set early longevity expectations.
Pros
- Supported with iOS updates for roughly five years, up to iOS 9.3.6
- Debuted Siri and an improved 8MP camera
- Premium glass-and-steel build for its era
Cons
- No longer supported by Apple and cannot run modern apps
- Small 3.5-inch screen and a VGA front camera
Full specifications
Display
💡 Bigger numbers = smoother scrolling (Hz) and easier outdoor reading (nits).
| Screen | 3.5-inch IPS LCD, 640x960 (~330 ppi) |
Performance
💡 The phone's brain — it decides speed today and how well it ages.
| Chipset | Apple A5 |
| RAM | 0.5GB |
| Storage | 8GB / 16GB / 32GB / 64GB |
Cameras
💡 Megapixels aren't everything — lens variety matters more day-to-day.
| main | 8MP |
Battery & charging
💡 Capacity in mAh — bigger usually means longer between charges.
| Battery | 1,432 mAh |
| Charging | 5W wired |
Build
💡 Size, weight, and the materials between your phone and the floor.
| Dimensions | 115.2 x 58.6 x 9.3 mm |
| Weight | 140 g |
| Materials | Glass front and back, stainless steel frame |
| Water resistance | None |
Software & connectivity
💡 The software it ships with, and how far it can upgrade.
| Software | iOS 5 (last supported iOS 9.3.6) |
| Connectivity | 3G HSPA, Wi-Fi 802.11n, Bluetooth 4.0, 30-pin/USB 2.0 |
| Update policy | ~5 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 4s still getting updates in 2026?
No. The iPhone 4s reached its final update, iOS 9.3.6, and has had no support for years.
How long did the iPhone 4s get updates?
Launched on iOS 5 in 2011, it was supported through iOS 9.3.6, about five years of iOS updates.
Is the iPhone 4s worth buying in 2026?
Only as a collectible. It is historically notable as Siri's debut phone but cannot serve as a modern daily device.
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 2026-06-18.