Apple iPhone 5s
How long will it last?
Our estimateSupported until January 2023 · Buy-by January 2021
Apple doesn't publish an end date, but iPhones have a consistent ~9-year update track record — on that basis the iPhone 5s should be supported until around January 2023. Buying it today still gets you about -3.4 years of safe use (Apple's written legal minimum is 5 years).
Source: Apple's documentation · last verified 2026-06-12 · how we compute this
Our verdict
The first 64-bit iPhone and Touch ID pioneer, now firmly a piece of history.
Pros
- First iPhone with Touch ID and a 64-bit chip
- Compact, lightweight and well-built
- Fine for basic offline use as a backup
Cons
- No security updates since iOS 12.5.7 in early 2023
- Only 1GB RAM and an 8MP camera that are very dated
Full specifications
Display
💡 Bigger numbers = smoother scrolling (Hz) and easier outdoor reading (nits).
| Screen | 4.0-inch LCD (Retina IPS), 1136x640, 60Hz |
Performance
💡 The phone's brain — it decides speed today and how well it ages.
| Chipset | Apple A7 |
| RAM | 1GB |
| Storage | 16GB / 32GB / 64GB |
Cameras
💡 Megapixels aren't everything — lens variety matters more day-to-day.
| main | 8MP |
| front | 1.2MP |
Battery & charging
💡 Capacity in mAh — bigger usually means longer between charges.
| Battery | 1,560 mAh |
| Charging | Lightning wired (up to ~5W) |
Build
💡 Size, weight, and the materials between your phone and the floor.
| Dimensions | 123.8 × 58.6 × 7.6 mm |
| Weight | 112 g |
| Materials | Aluminum unibody, glass front |
| Water resistance | None |
Software & connectivity
💡 The software it ships with, and how far it can upgrade.
| Software | iOS 7 at launch |
| Connectivity | 4G LTE, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 4.0, Lightning |
| Update policy | ~6 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
How long will the iPhone 5s get updates?
Support has ended. Its final release was iOS 12.5.7 in January 2023, so it no longer receives regular security patches and should not be used for sensitive online activity.
What made the iPhone 5s historically important?
It was the first iPhone with Touch ID fingerprint unlocking and the first with a 64-bit processor, the A7, which set the direction for all later iPhones.
Can I still use an iPhone 5s in 2026?
Only for offline or very basic tasks. With no recent security updates, just 1GB of RAM and an iOS 12 ceiling, it cannot safely run modern apps or browse sensitive websites.
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 2026-06-12.