For instance, the iPhone XR, which debuted in 2018, received iOS 18 in 2024 — marking a full six-year support run. In 2024, analysts observed that iPhone upgrade cycles had reached their longest point ever, influenced by slower hardware advancements and the increasing costs of new models. — YouTube comment on Engadget’s iPhone lifespan video, user @gadgetrealistWhat To WatchFall 2025: Apple’s annual iPhone event will set the price floor for the iPhone 17 lineup. When Apple announces which devices will run iOS 19, any iPhone not on that list gets a clear end-of-life signal. The main limits usually come from the battery, software support, and honestly, the allure of whatever’s next.