PhoneLifespan

Apple iPhone X

Avoid buyingValue Score 40/100
$130
used/refurbished market price
$999 at launch

How long will it last?

Our estimate

Supported until December 2026 · Buy-by December 2024

170
days
00
hrs
00
min
00
sec
2017◆ Buy-by Dec 20242026

Apple doesn't publish an end date, but iPhones have a consistent ~7-year update track record — on that basis the iPhone X should be supported until around December 2026. Buying it today still gets you about 0.5 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

TrueCost

Street price ÷ months of safe use remaining — the number that makes cheap short-lived phones expensive, and well-supported ones cheap.

$23.17/month

244% above the under-$300 median ($6.74/mo, dying phones excluded)

Our verdict

The phone that introduced Face ID and the notch, still patched but now near the end of its update life.

Pros

  • Still receiving iOS 16 security updates (16.7.x) as of 2026
  • Gorgeous 5.8-inch OLED and premium stainless-steel build
  • Face ID and edge-to-edge design that feels modern years later

Cons

  • Capped at iOS 16, so no new major features
  • No 5G, and the battery is small and usually worn
Best for: Budget buyers wanting a premium OLED iPhone for cheapBest for: Anyone who liked the original notch designAvoid if: You want several more years of updatesAvoid if: You need 5G or the newest iOS features

Full specifications

Display

💡 Bigger numbers = smoother scrolling (Hz) and easier outdoor reading (nits).

Screen5.8-inch OLED (Super Retina HD), 2436x1125, 60Hz
Performance

💡 The phone's brain — it decides speed today and how well it ages.

ChipsetApple A11 Bionic
RAM3GB
Storage64GB / 256GB
Cameras

💡 Megapixels aren't everything — lens variety matters more day-to-day.

main12MP
telephoto 2x12MP
front7MP
Battery & charging

💡 Capacity in mAh — bigger usually means longer between charges.

Battery2,716 mAh
Charging15W wired (USB-PD via Lightning), Qi wireless
Build

💡 Size, weight, and the materials between your phone and the floor.

Dimensions143.6 × 70.9 × 7.7 mm
Weight174 g
MaterialsSurgical-grade stainless steel frame, glass front and back
Water resistanceIP67
Software & connectivity

💡 The software it ships with, and how far it can upgrade.

SoftwareiOS 11 at launch
Connectivity4G LTE, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 5.0, 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 X get updates?

It is stuck on iOS 16 but Apple was still issuing iOS 16 security patches (16.7.x) in 2026. With iOS 16 likely winding down soon, expect support to end around late 2026.

Can the iPhone X run iOS 17 or 18?

No. The iPhone X's maximum major version is iOS 16; iOS 17 and later dropped it. It only receives iOS 16 security updates now.

Is the iPhone X still safe to use in 2026?

For now, yes, because Apple is still patching iOS 16. But as those patches stop, it will become harder to recommend, so treat it as a short-term or secondary 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 2026-06-12.