: These models offer significantly better cameras, modern designs with Face ID, and longer-term software support.

There are very specific, narrow reasons to pick one up for a very low price (around ):

: Older units often suffer from "Touch Disease" (unresponsive touchscreens) and "Bendgate" (structural fragility). Battery life on decade-old units is typically very poor due to natural chemical degradation. When It Might Be Worth Buying

: It can still handle standard phone calls, iMessages, and basic tools like the calculator.

If you are on a tight budget, reviewers and tech sites like UpTrade and Macworld suggest much better long-term values: iPhone SE (3rd Gen) Go to product viewer dialog for this item.

The primary reasons for avoiding this model focus on outdated software and hardware that cannot keep up with current apps and security standards: : The Go to product viewer dialog for this item.

: It can serve as a cheap alternative to an iPod Touch , as Apple Music still works on iOS 12.