The best older iPhone models to buy in 2026.

The increasingly high price of new iPhones is making many people think twice before upgrading. However, many iPhone models released a few years ago are still powerful, receive long-term software support, and will meet the needs of users in 2026 at a more accessible cost.

Báo Nghệ An•22/05/2026

Not everyone is willing to spend tens of millions of VND to own the latest iPhone models. Even the more affordable iPhone 17e starts at over 17 million VND but still has many important features removed.

However, this isn't necessarily a major issue, because older iPhone models from Apple still maintain excellent usability thanks to extended software support (5-7 years) and the powerful performance of the A-series chips.

That's also why iPhones always hold their value well in the market, and many people are still willing to buy used or refurbished models. With the launch of the iPhone 18 series approaching, this is also a good time to consider older iPhone models that are still worth buying in 2026.

iPhone 16 Series: The Safest and Most Comprehensive Choice

The entire iPhone 16 lineup is considered the most accessible option if you want to buy an older iPhone model but still want a premium experience. These devices use the A18 or A18 Pro chip, depending on the version, powerful enough to handle most tasks from gaming and video editing to heavy multitasking.

The camera system is also a major strength of this product line. Although there are differences between the versions, all feature a high-quality 48MP main camera, capable of capturing sharp and detailed images.

Launched alongside iOS 18, the iPhone 16 series has now been updated to iOS 26 and is likely to continue receiving Apple support for another 5 years. Most of the new features of iOS 26, including the Liquid Glass interface and Apple Intelligence, are compatible with this device.

In addition, the iPhone 16 boasts a range of modern features such as a USB-C port, dual eSIM support, 128GB of default storage, IP68 water resistance, and USB-C video output. Although the price is still significantly higher than many older iPhone models, it remains a very worthwhile option to consider in 2026.

However, the iPhone 16e version was not well-received due to the significant reduction in features compared to the rest of the product line.

iPhone 15 Pro and 15 Pro Max: Still very powerful thanks to the A17 Pro chip.

If the iPhone 16 Pro is beyond your budget but you still want the Pro experience, then the iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max are very reasonable options.

Despite being released over 2.5 years ago, this duo still performs strongly thanks to the A17 Pro chip. This is also the factor that helps the devices continue to support most Apple Intelligence features on iOS 26. After just two major iOS updates, this line of devices is likely to receive support for at least another 4 years.

The Pro and Pro Max versions are almost identical in terms of specifications. The main differences lie in screen size, battery life, and the telephoto camera zoom capability on the Pro Max version.

The iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max are very reasonable choices. Photo: Internet.

The iPhone 15 Pro series stands out with its 120Hz ProMotion display, titanium frame, Ceramic Shield glass, LiDAR sensor, and professional camera system. The device also features a high-speed 10 Gbps USB-C port, a significant upgrade over the previous generation.

Currently, users can still find new iPhone 15 Pro models at some retailers or opt for refurbished units from Apple. Apple's refurbished models usually come with new batteries, new casings, and the latest software, making them a relatively safe choice.

However, this model still lacks some of the new features found on recent generations of iPhone Pro, such as faster MagSafe charging technology.

iPhone 15 and 15 Plus: Suitable for budget-conscious buyers.

For those looking to save money, the iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Plus remain worthwhile options in 2026.

Despite the significant performance gap with the Pro version, both models are powerful enough to handle everyday needs such as entertainment, casual gaming, and multitasking. However, a major drawback is that the standard iPhone 15 series does not support Apple Intelligence.

The iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Plus are still worthwhile options to consider in 2026. Photo: Internet.

However, the device still boasts many attractive features such as a screen brightness of up to 2,000 nits, high-quality dual cameras, MagSafe, a USB-C port, and 128 GB of basic storage.

One issue to note is that finding a brand-new, unopened device is no longer easy. Users will mostly have to choose used or refurbished devices. When buying a used device, battery condition is particularly important. If the battery capacity is below 80%, users may have to replace the battery or charge it multiple times a day.

iPhone 14 Pro and 14 Pro Max: Older iPhone models still have value.

Launched in 2022, the iPhone 14 Pro and iPhone 14 Pro Max are the oldest iPhone models that are still worth buying in 2026.

These two models still run iOS 26 well thanks to the A16 Bionic chip, the same chip found in the iPhone 15 and 15 Plus. Apple will likely support about three more major iOS updates before these devices officially become obsolete.

The iPhone 14 Pro series is also the first generation to feature Dynamic Island, an Always-On Display, and a 48MP main camera. The overall design remains quite modern, not significantly different from newer iPhone models.

The iPhone 14 Pro and iPhone 14 Pro Max are the oldest iPhone models that are still worth buying in 2026. (Image: Internet)

However, there are still some limitations, such as the device still using a Lightning port instead of USB-C, not supporting Apple Intelligence, and lacking low-power wireless communication standards (Thread).

Currently, users can mainly only find the iPhone 14 Pro as used or refurbished devices. Therefore, the actual price will greatly determine whether the product is still "worth the money." If the price difference with the iPhone 15 Pro is not too large, upgrading to the newer generation is still a more reasonable choice in the long run.

Source: https://baonghean.vn/nhung-mau-iphone-doi-cu-dang-mua-nhat-nam-2026-10337937.html