Is the iPhone 6s still worth using in 2026?

The iPhone 6s is stuck on iOS 17, and that's the real problem in 2026. If the phone still works for you and you don't have any special needs (like apps that require newer iOS versions), technically you can keep using it. But there's a security risk: without the latest updates, you're more vulnerable to exploits and malware. Progressive web apps are starting to drop support for older versions, so maybe everything works today, but in a few months you could run into some nasty surprises.

It really depends on how you use it. If it's just for calls, texts, some photos and light browsing, it's still fine. But if you want to do mobile banking, access sensitive services or download more modern apps, it's risky. The battery at this point will basically be done - the charge cycle after all these years is almost shot. A lot of people still use it as a "secondary" device for nothing important, but as a main phone it's kind of a gamble.

If you really don't want to spend much, at least grab a more recent used iPhone (like a 12 or 13) - they're cheap now and at least they get updates. A 6s in 2026 is just on the edge, seriously.

If it's still holding up well for you and you only use basic apps, you can definitely keep it going until something actually breaks - the real problem comes when apps start requiring newer iOS versions and you're stuck on iOS 17. I personally kept an old phone for years because it did what I needed, until one day an app I used regularly stopped working on it - at that point there was no choice.

The real question is: which apps do you use every day? If it's simple stuff like messaging, calls, maps, navigation, go ahead and keep the 6s. But if you start running into compatibility issues over the next year or two, then it's worth thinking about upgrading before it gets annoying.