Apple iPhone 6
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 6 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
A hugely popular 2014 iPhone that has reached the end of its software life.
Pros
- Slim, light and still pleasant to hold
- Reliable for basic calls, texts and offline use
- Widely available for very little money
Cons
- No security updates since iOS 12.5.7 in early 2023
- Just 1GB RAM and a small battery that is usually degraded
Full specifications
Display
💡 Bigger numbers = smoother scrolling (Hz) and easier outdoor reading (nits).
| Screen | 4.7-inch LCD (Retina HD IPS), 1334x750, 60Hz |
Performance
💡 The phone's brain — it decides speed today and how well it ages.
| Chipset | Apple A8 |
| RAM | 1GB |
| Storage | 16GB / 64GB / 128GB |
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 | 1,810 mAh |
| Charging | Lightning wired (up to ~12W) |
Build
💡 Size, weight, and the materials between your phone and the floor.
| Dimensions | 138.1 × 67.0 × 6.9 mm |
| Weight | 129 g |
| Materials | Aluminum unibody, glass front |
| Water resistance | None |
Software & connectivity
💡 The software it ships with, and how far it can upgrade.
| Software | iOS 8 at launch |
| Connectivity | 4G LTE, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 4.0, Lightning |
| 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
How long will the iPhone 6 get updates?
Its software life is over. The last update was iOS 12.5.7 in January 2023, so it no longer gets ongoing security patches and is not safe for sensitive online use.
What is the newest iOS the iPhone 6 can run?
The iPhone 6 is limited to iOS 12, ending at iOS 12.5.7. The slightly newer iPhone 6s can run up to iOS 15, which is why it is still patched while the 6 is not.
Is the iPhone 6 worth keeping in 2026?
Only as a cheap offline device or backup. Without security updates and with very limited RAM, it cannot safely run modern apps or browse sensitive sites.
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.