We asked our refurbishment expert: Is the iPhone 15 still worth buying in 2026?
The iPhone 15 turned three this autumn. We asked Pavel Tšukrejev, Head of Operations at Swappie, whether it’s still worth buying in 2026, and what his team sees when these phones come in for refurbishment.
By Emmanuel Agustin
Pavel Tšukrejev is Head of Operations at Swappie, where his teams open up, test and refurbish used iPhones every day. We asked him whether the iPhone 15 is still a good buy in 2026. His answers have been lightly edited for clarity.
From what you see on the refurbishing line, how well does the iPhone 15 hold up after two or three years of use? Which components wear first, and which tend to last?
Pavel: The iPhone 15 is one of the best-designed iPhones internally, which makes it smooth to refurbish. Structurally it holds up very well, and we expect it to last for many more years.
The battery is the main part that wears, through normal degradation like in any device. The charging port is the other one: it gets heavy daily use and sometimes needs cleaning.
The iPhone 15 brought USB-C and the 48MP main camera to the base model. Which of these changes matter most to someone buying one today, and why?
Pavel: USB-C matters most in everyday life. One cable charges your iPhone, laptop, headphones and most other devices, so you stop thinking about which charger you need.
The 48MP main camera is the other big one. Three years on, it still delivers great photos and video, and its 2x zoom is sharp for everyday shots.
How does battery health on the iPhone 15s you receive compare with the iPhone 13 and 14 at a similar age?
Pavel: Battery health always depends on how a phone was used and charged, so two iPhone 15s of the same age can look very different.
On paper, though, the iPhone 15 has a clear advantage over the 13 and 14. Apple rates its battery to keep 80% of its original capacity after 1,000 full charge cycles, double the 500 cycles of earlier models. The iPhone 15 was also the first to let owners see their battery’s cycle count and manufacture date in Settings, and to cap charging at 80% to slow wear.
For a buyer, that means a well-kept iPhone 15 battery should age noticeably better than one in an older model.
How easy is the iPhone 15 to repair compared with earlier models? Are there specific design changes that make your team’s work easier or harder?
Pavel: The iPhone 15 is much easier to repair than the iPhone 13 and older. The back glass can be removed separately from the screen, so we can reach the internals with much less risk of damaging other parts. On older models, it was a more difficult job.
What does that repairability mean for the buyer? Does it affect how long the phone can realistically be kept in use?
Pavel: In practice, yes. The battery is the main part that wears out, and since it’s easier to replace than on older models, a new battery can give an iPhone 15 several more years of use.
I wouldn’t recommend changing the battery at home, though. A damaged lithium-ion battery can catch fire, so it’s a job for a professional repair service.
In everyday use, how big is the real-world gap between the iPhone 15 and the newest iPhones?
Pavel: For everyday use, like apps, photos, video calls, social media and most games, the gap is small. The iPhone 15 runs the latest iOS smoothly and will keep getting updates for years.
The real differences are Apple Intelligence, which the base iPhone 15 doesn’t support, and the smoother 120Hz display on newer models. If those aren’t priorities for you, you won’t miss much day to day.
How many more years of iOS updates can an iPhone 15 owner expect, and which Apple Intelligence features does it support?
Pavel: Apple has a strong track record here. At the time of writing, the iPhone 11, a seven-year-old model, still gets iOS 27. The iPhone 15 has more capable hardware, so owners can reasonably expect several more years of updates.
One thing buyers should know: The base iPhone 15 doesn’t support Apple Intelligence. If AI features are not important to you, the iPhone 15 gets everything else iOS offers.
With foldables and AI-focused flagships getting the headlines, who is the iPhone 15 still the smart choice for, and who should look elsewhere?
Pavel: If you don’t need professional-grade photo and video or the latest AI features, the iPhone 15 covers everything most people do with a phone. It’s a smart choice for anyone who wants a reliable, up-to-date iPhone without paying flagship prices.
People who should look elsewhere are those who want Apple Intelligence, shoot a lot of video or serious zoom photography, or play demanding games every day.
If a friend asked whether to buy a refurbished iPhone 15 or stretch their budget for a newer model, what would you tell them?
Pavel: I’d tell them to be practical and spend according to what they actually need. A refurbished iPhone 15 with a healthy battery handles everyday tasks easily and will serve for many more years. It also costs much less than a new flagship.
Every Swappie Refurbished iPhone is refurbished by our experts, goes through battery reliability and quality checks, and comes with a 12-month Swappie Warranty. It also has a 75% lower carbon footprint (CO₂e) than a new iPhone.*
Shop Swappie Refurbished iPhone 15
About the author: Emmanuel Agustin leads organic growth at Swappie, where he’s worked for 4 years out of the Helsinki HQ. Outside of work, he’s into tech and music.
