One of the things that you’ll frequently read from us whenever new iPhones are launched is to consider getting older iPhone models. However, since iPhone has plenty of older models, you might be wondering which of these models to get. Let me help you with that.
Whenever I’m presented with this question, the first thing I do is count back 3 years and then look at the iPhones released in that time frame. That is because iPhones usually get 5 years’ worth of iOS updates and as long as it’s getting an update, that iPhone is still worth getting. You can also look at Apple’s list of iOS 16 compatible devices as a shortcut.
You might wonder why I’m not recommending much older iPhone models even though they can support iOS 16. Take the iPhone 8/8 Plus, for example, which was released in 2017 with iOS 11. If you get it now, you will be able to enjoy some features of iOS 16, but a year later, Apple might not include it as a recipient of iOS 17, which will force you to upgrade to a newer phone.
Going back, it’s good to consider devices released in the past 3 years or from 2019 and onwards.
Author’s note: Since the iPhones mentioned below are older models, their availability depends on the store’s available stocks. Some might be available while some are not.
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iPhone 11 Series
The iPhone 11, 11 Pro, and 11 Pro Max are still good options. It was released with iOS 13, then received iOS 14, 15, and 16. It’s likely it will get iOS 17 and iOS 18 in the next two years, which is still good.
You can expect them to be much more affordable now, although the iPhone 11 is more common to see than the Pro models. The iPhone 11 at Power Mac Center (PMC) starts at PHP 30,990 for the 64GB. Beyond the Box (BTB) offers it for PHP 26,590. Resellers, on the other hand, even offer it for PHP 26,000.
iPhone 12 Series
The iPhone 12, 12 mini, 12 Pro, and 12 Pro Max can still be found in stores and are good options if you have a bigger budget. Apple’s PH website is offering the iPhone 12 64GB at PHP 42,990. PMC is selling the iPhone 12 mini 64GB at PHP 36,990, the iPhone 12 64GB at PHP 44,540, and the iPhone 12 Pro Max 128GB at PHP 65,990.
BTB, on the other hand still offers the iPhone 12 64GB at PHP 41,890, while online sellers are selling it for PHP 34,500.
Getting an iPhone 12 will still guarantee you 3 years of iOS updates.
iPhone 13 Series
The iPhone 13, 13 mini, 13 Pro, and 13 Pro Max are good options for those who are looking for the most powerful iPhones available without going for the iPhone 14 series. Since they’re just a year old, they’re more available compared to the much older models.
Apple’s PH website offers the iPhone 13 mini starting at PHP 42,990 for the 128GB. At PMC, it starts at PHP 44,990. At BTB, it starts at PHP 44,890. In resellers, you can get it at PHP 41,500.
For the iPhone 13, Apple’s PH website offers it starting at PHP 49,990 for the 128GB. PMC offers it at PHP 52,490, BTB at PHP 47,890, while resellers offer it PHP 44,000.
For the iPhone 13 Pro, PMC offers it starting at PHP 62,990 for the 128GB model. BTB offers it at PHP 61,490. While resellers offer it at PHP 56,000.
For the iPhone 13 Pro Max, PMC offers it starting at PHP 69,990 for the 128GB model. BTB offers it at PHP 67,990. While resellers offer it at PHP 62,000.
Depending on where you buy, you might even find that iPhone 13 Pro model from resellers (PHP 56,000) is more affordable compared to the iPhone 14 (PHP 56,990), which I think is a good buy.
Getting an iPhone 13 Series this year will still get you 4 years of updates.
How about the iPhone SE, you ask? While the iPhone SE 2022 and 2020 are still good buys and will get 4 years and 2 years of updates, respectively, it is rumored that Apple’s new iPhone SE for 2023 will use the iPhone XR design, officially retiring the Touch ID for iPhones. We recommend waiting for that instead, unless you really need an affordable iPhone and don’t mind the old design.
And there you have it. If you’re looking for older iPhone models to buy this year, these are the models we recommend. They’re still powerful and will get at least 2 years of OS updates.
Just get last year’s model, it will last longer too.