Do I need a new phone?

[yankii]

Apple axed my XS this year [no more iOS updates] but I don't use my phone for anything other than calls, texts, and some online media [Jellyfin and Apple Music], but the last one is kinda optional as I can always sync from my Mac locally. Is it worth buying a new device? I'm mainly worried about security issues but are they a real threat if I never connect to the internet again?

If I should get a new phone, any suggestions? I don't have any preferences other than the price which should be under $800.

 

[nullplayer00]

Xiaomi is very nice. Cheap and provides all people need to stay tuned.

 

[Robert Newbie]

It's a good question because I'm not an Apple user, and the updates for your device just ended this year.

If you're not even browsing the internet with your phone, you're probably low-risk. I usually hang onto my phone until it starts to get quirky. I had my first smartphone for about 10 years before I upgraded. I was probably at a higher risk, but I didn't purchase anything using my phone and rarely browsed the internet with it. Like you, I install minimal apps.

I'd say, if you paid a lot for it, let it depreciate for a few years and get your money's worth.

 

[slam2001]

If you dont want another apple phone just get any (9 +) samsung ultra phone it will last years

 

[LoggerMan]

If support ending too soon is going to bother you then you should stick with iPhone. You got seven years of updates for the XS, Androids don't usually get that long. I'd wait until next month and see what the iPhone SE 4 has to offer, it'll probably be under $500.

 

[tech3475]

Risk is at least partially dependant on the vulnerability, for example, here's something from the patch notes of ios 18.5:

Baseband​

Available for: iPhone 16e
Impact: An attacker in a privileged network position may be able to intercept network traffic
Description: This issue was addressed through improved state management.
CVE-2025-31214: 秦若涵, 崔志伟, and 崔宝江

https://support.apple.com/en-us/122404

In case you don't know, Baseband is the name of the cellular modem.

So the question I would ask yourself is, if the device was hacked/exploited, would you be screwed? E.g. 2FA mobile banking.

In theory though, you should be low risk, but again you can't really tell these days, especially if automation is involved on the attackers end.

If you do decide to switch, I would look at the support length as part of the ROI.

This is why my family leans towards Samsung these days, for example, my Dad's XR loses support this year so he decided to switch to a Samsung A36 in part because it has 6 years of updates and it cost less than an iphone.

 

[Deleted member 702243]

I'd wait until next month and see what the iPhone SE 4 has to offer

where did you get this from?

 

[a_username_that_is_cool]

where did you get this from?

idk, the "new iphone se" is just the 16e.