Apple unveiled iOS 27 at WWDC 2026 and announced that it will run on iPhone models as old as the iPhone 11 series, first released in 2019. Providing eight years of software updates is virtually unheard of, yet it may be more crucial now than ever before.
Although the iPhone 11 likely won’t support the newest Apple Intelligence features, an extra year of fresh OS support arrives at a time when two industry trends are converging.
First, the overall cost of consumer electronics has risen sharply, driven by a persistent RAM shortage and higher tariffs in recent years. Several manufacturers have lifted the price of their 2025‑2026 flagship phones by up to $200, and in some cases prices have even climbed after launch.
Second, the secondary market remains robust, keeping older iPhones readily available. For example, a 256 GB iPhone 11 is listed at $209 on Amazon at the time of writing. In a recent Gfaloe poll of 2,600 adults, more than 48 % said they have considered buying a refurbished device, citing cost‑effectiveness and the steep price of new hardware as primary reasons.
These factors illustrate a growing consumer habit: people are keeping their phones longer and are comfortable using devices that aren’t the latest but still meet their needs. I reached out to Apple for numbers on active iPhone 11 users—though I don’t expect a reply—yet other data shows a sizable base still benefits from extended software support.
Apple has clear incentives to look after owners of older iPhones. The iPhone line consistently ranks among the world’s best‑selling smartphones, and Apple is also a major player in the refurbished market. Counterpoint Research reported in October 2025 that the iPhone 12, 13 and 14 drove refurbished sales growth across Africa, India and Southeast Asia.
In markets such as the United States, refurbished growth flattened between 2024 and 2025, a trend the report linked to longer device replacement cycles and rising prices prompting consumers to delay upgrades.
With fewer people swapping phones, Apple appears to be ensuring that users of older hardware aren’t left behind. In January, devices running iOS 12 or later received a minor update that kept iMessage and FaceTime functional on models as old as the 2013 iPhone 5S. Moreover, when Apple eventually phases out major iOS updates for a device, it typically continues to issue security patches for several additional years.
Supporting legacy iPhones may also help deter users from defecting to Android. As flagship phone prices climb, Apple’s continued support for older models becomes a defensive move. While Samsung, Motorola and Google offer many sub‑$500 Android phones, Apple’s entry‑level new phone now starts at $600 (the iPhone 17E launched earlier this year).
Refreshing the 2019 iPhone 11 with iOS 27 gives owners a reason to stay within Apple’s ecosystem rather than switching to an Android device that might offer a larger battery or newer camera for less money.
Retention is increasingly important as regulatory pressure—particularly from the European Union—pushes Apple toward more open standards that level the playing field with Android. Features such as RCS messaging and broader eSIM compatibility make cross‑platform switching easier than before.
By delivering an industry‑leading eight years of support for the iPhone 11, Apple adds a modest yet potent selling point that can keep users loyal until competitors like Samsung, Google or Motorola make comparable long‑term commitments.
