iPhone 13 mini How long will the 13 Mini reasonable last?

[weezin]

I am holding on to my 13 Mini as long as I can, but I'm wondering how long it can reasonably last. I know it will stop getting software updates at some point (when?), but my bigger concerns are a) when will it slow down and stop working efficiently and b) when will major apps stop supporting the device / os.

Any ideas on this stuff? I really don't want to buy a bigger phone, but I know I'll have to at some point, unless Apple magically reverses course on the mini size.

 

[xxFoxtail]

Even when major software updates stop, they usually continue to get security updates for a while. I’d imagine the 13 series will at least get the next 3-4 major updates.

At this point, it seems unlikely that Apple reverses course and releases a new mini. I’d like one, even if it’s just an SE.

 

[now i see it]

I’m currently using an iPhone 6S Plus and it does everything fine. Not slow at all on iOS 15 (the maximum os). It’s 9 years old and recently got a software update.

So to answer your question:
The 13 should last 10 years easily.

 

[supergt]

I have devices on 14/15/16. Most of my apps require at least 16.x at this point. So when the 13 mini drops support for future iOS updates, you can count on maybe 2 additional years of broad app support.

 

[weezin]

Thanks all! I'm getting a screen replacement now before my Apple Care + is up, and hoping to keep it a long time. I love this little phone.

Here's hoping that at least the next SE will adopt this form factor - if it does, I'll buy one!