The iPhone 6s Plus was a popular large-screen smartphone when Apple introduced it in 2015. However, more than a decade later, is the iPhone 6s Plus still worth buying in 2026? With outdated hardware and software support limited to iOS 15, we no longer recommend this model. Fortunately, newer Certified Used / Refurbished iPhones, including the iPhone 12 Mini, are available at affordable prices and offer significantly better performance and features.
No, we do not recommend buying the iPhone 6s Plus in 2026. The phone is over 10 years old and is limited to iOS 15, while the latest version is iOS 27. Its aging hardware, outdated software, and declining app compatibility make it a poor choice for everyday use.
| Release Date | September 2015 |
| Last iOS Version | iOS 15 |
| Support iOS 27 (Latest) | No |
| Recommended in 2026? | No |
| Best Alternative | iPhone 12 Mini ($120+) |
| Larger-Screen Alternative | iPhone 12 ($140+) |
For consumers looking to replace their iPhone 6s Plus, we recommend the Certified Used / Refurbished iPhone 12 Mini, starting at around $120. Its 5.4-inch display is close in diagonal size to the iPhone 6s Plus's 5.5-inch screen, but the phone itself is much more compact. If you prefer a larger 6.1-inch display, the Certified Used / Refurbished iPhone 12 is another excellent option, starting at around $140.
The iPhone 6s Plus no longer supports the latest iOS versions. Although Apple provided major software upgrades for several years after its release, the iPhone 6s Plus is now outdated and cannot take advantage of newer iOS features and improvements.
The last major iOS version supported by the iPhone 6s Plus is iOS 15, released in September 2021. The iPhone 6s Plus is not compatible with iOS 16 or any subsequent major iOS versions.
While Apple has occasionally released security updates for older iOS versions, the iPhone 6s Plus no longer receives major software upgrades. As more apps require newer versions of iOS, users may encounter compatibility issues or lose access to the latest app features.
No. The iPhone 6s Plus cannot run iOS 27, the latest major iPhone operating system in 2026. It is limited to iOS 15, making it several generations behind current iPhones.
This is one of the biggest reasons we do not recommend buying the iPhone 6s Plus in 2026. Without support for newer iOS versions, the phone misses out on modern features, software improvements, and broader app compatibility.
Although the iPhone 6s Plus was an impressive smartphone when it launched, it is now more than 10 years old. Several limitations make it difficult to recommend in 2026:
More importantly, newer Certified Used / Refurbished iPhones are now available at very affordable prices. With the iPhone 12 Mini starting at around $120, there is little reason to purchase an iPhone 6s Plus in 2026.
If you are looking to replace your iPhone 6s Plus, we recommend the iPhone 12 Mini and iPhone 12. Both offer significant improvements in performance, cameras, display quality, connectivity, and software compatibility, while remaining affordable as Certified Used / Refurbished devices.
The Certified Used / Refurbished iPhone 12 Mini is our top recommendation for iPhone 6s Plus buyers in 2026. Starting at around $120, it offers a modern iPhone experience at a very affordable price.
One of the biggest reasons we recommend the iPhone 12 Mini is its 5.4-inch display, which is similar in diagonal size to the iPhone 6s Plus's 5.5-inch screen. However, thanks to its edge-to-edge display design, the iPhone 12 Mini has a much smaller and lighter body, making it easier to carry and use with one hand. The screen has a different aspect ratio, so its usable display area is not identical to that of the iPhone 6s Plus.
The iPhone 12 Mini also features a significantly faster A14 Bionic processor, a sharper Super Retina XDR OLED display, improved dual cameras with Night mode, 5G connectivity, and support for newer iOS versions.
The main consideration is battery life. Due to its compact size, the iPhone 12 Mini has a smaller battery than the regular iPhone 12. Buyers should check battery health and condition when purchasing a refurbished unit.
Our recommendation: If you like the 5.5-inch screen size of the iPhone 6s Plus and want an affordable replacement, the iPhone 12 Mini is our preferred choice. At $120+, it delivers a substantial upgrade without requiring a large budget.
If you prefer a larger display, the Certified Used / Refurbished iPhone 12 is another excellent alternative, starting at approximately $140.
The iPhone 12 features a 6.1-inch Super Retina XDR OLED display, which is larger than the 5.5-inch display on the iPhone 6s Plus and the 5.4-inch display on the iPhone 12 Mini. This makes it a good choice for watching videos, browsing websites, and reading content on a larger screen.
Like the iPhone 12 Mini, it includes the A14 Bionic processor, 5G connectivity, Face ID, MagSafe wireless charging, and improved dual cameras with Night mode.
Another advantage is battery life. The regular iPhone 12 generally lasts longer on a charge than the iPhone 12 Mini, making it a better option for consumers who use their phones heavily throughout the day.
Our recommendation: Choose the iPhone 12 if you want a larger 6.1-inch display and better battery life. At around $140, it is an excellent refurbished iPhone, although we recommend the smaller iPhone 12 Mini first for consumers seeking a screen size similar to the iPhone 6s Plus.
The iPhone 12 Mini and iPhone 12 offer significant upgrades over the iPhone 6s Plus, including faster processors, OLED displays, improved cameras, and 5G connectivity. The iPhone 12 Mini has a 5.4-inch screen, close to the iPhone 6s Plus's 5.5-inch display, while the iPhone 12 offers a larger 6.1-inch screen.
| Specifications | iPhone 6s Plus | iPhone 12 Mini | iPhone 12 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Release Date | September 2015 | November 2020 | October 2020 |
| Starting Refurbished Price | Not Recommended | $120+ | $140+ |
| Display Size | 5.5 inches | 5.4 inches | 6.1 inches |
| Display Type | Retina HD IPS LCD | Super Retina XDR OLED | Super Retina XDR OLED |
| Resolution | 1920 × 1080 | 2340 × 1080 | 2532 × 1170 |
| Pixel Density | 401 ppi | 476 ppi | 460 ppi |
| Processor | Apple A9 | Apple A14 Bionic | Apple A14 Bionic |
| RAM | 2GB | 4GB | 4GB |
| Storage Options | 16GB / 32GB / 64GB / 128GB | 64GB / 128GB / 256GB | 64GB / 128GB / 256GB |
| Last / Latest Supported iOS | iOS 15 | iOS 27 | iOS 27 |
| 5G Support | No | Yes | Yes |
| 4G LTE | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Rear Cameras | 12MP Wide | 12MP Wide + 12MP Ultra Wide | 12MP Wide + 12MP Ultra Wide |
| Front Camera | 5MP | 12MP TrueDepth | 12MP TrueDepth |
| Night Mode | No | Yes | Yes |
| Optical Image Stabilization | Yes (Wide) | Yes (Wide) | Yes (Wide) |
| Video Recording | 4K at 30 fps | 4K at up to 60 fps | 4K at up to 60 fps |
| Face ID | No | Yes | Yes |
| Touch ID | Yes | No | No |
| Battery Capacity | 2,750 mAh | 2,227 mAh | 2,815 mAh |
| Apple Rated Video Playback | Up to 14 hours | Up to 15 hours | Up to 17 hours |
| Fast Charging | No USB-PD fast charging | Yes, up to 50% in 30 minutes* | Yes, up to 50% in 30 minutes* |
| Wireless Charging | No | Qi + MagSafe | Qi + MagSafe |
| Charging Port | Lightning | Lightning | Lightning |
| Water Resistance | No official IP rating | IP68 | IP68 |
| Dimensions | 158.2 × 77.9 × 7.3 mm | 131.5 × 64.2 × 7.4 mm | 146.7 × 71.5 × 7.4 mm |
| Weight | 192g | 135g | 164g |
| Recommended in 2026? | No | Yes – Best Alternative | Yes – Larger Screen |
*Fast-charging estimates are based on Apple's original testing with a compatible 20W or higher power adapter. Actual charging speed and battery life vary with battery condition and usage. Water resistance can diminish with age and repairs.
Our recommendation: The Certified Used / Refurbished iPhone 12 Mini is our preferred replacement for the iPhone 6s Plus because of its similar diagonal screen size and affordable $120+ price. For buyers who prefer a larger screen and longer battery life, the Certified Used / Refurbished iPhone 12 starts at around $140.
The iPhone 11 is another model that buyers may consider when shopping for an affordable refurbished iPhone. However, with the price of the iPhone 12 now dropping to approximately the same level as the iPhone 11, we recommend choosing the newer iPhone 12 instead.
Both models have 6.1-inch displays, but the iPhone 12 offers several important improvements:
When the two models are available at similar prices, the iPhone 12 offers better overall value. We therefore recommend skipping the iPhone 11 and choosing the iPhone 12 or iPhone 12 Mini instead.
We do not recommend buying the iPhone 6s Plus in 2026. More than 10 years after its release, the iPhone 6s Plus is outdated, with aging hardware and software support limited to iOS 15, while the latest version is iOS 27. Its limited compatibility with newer apps makes it a poor choice for everyday use.
Fortunately, newer Certified Used / Refurbished iPhones are now available at very affordable prices. We recommend two alternatives:
With the iPhone 12 series now available at prices close to older models like the iPhone 11, there is little reason to choose an outdated iPhone 6s Plus. For most iPhone 6s Plus buyers, the iPhone 12 Mini offers the best combination of screen size, modern features, and affordability.
Yes, the iPhone 6s Plus can still handle basic tasks such as calling, texting, and web browsing. However, its outdated hardware, limited app compatibility, and lack of support for newer iOS versions make it difficult to recommend for everyday use in 2026.
The last major iOS version supported by the iPhone 6s Plus is iOS 15, released in 2021. The device cannot upgrade to iOS 16 or any newer major iOS version.
No. The iPhone 6s Plus cannot run iOS 27, the latest major iPhone operating system in 2026. It is limited to iOS 15 and does not support newer iOS features and improvements.
The iPhone 6s Plus no longer receives major iOS upgrades. Apple has occasionally released security updates for older iOS versions, including iOS 15, but these updates are limited and do not provide the same level of ongoing support as newer iPhones.
The iPhone 6s Plus supports iOS 15, which may still meet WhatsApp's minimum system requirements. However, app requirements can change, and future WhatsApp updates may stop supporting iOS 15. Check the latest WhatsApp App Store requirements before relying on this phone.
No. The iPhone 6s Plus supports 4G LTE but does not support 5G connectivity. If you want an affordable refurbished iPhone with 5G, consider the iPhone 12 Mini, starting at around $120, or the iPhone 12, starting at around $140.
Battery life depends heavily on the condition of the battery. Because the iPhone 6s Plus was released in 2015, many units have significantly degraded batteries unless they have been replaced. Even with a replacement battery, the phone's outdated hardware and software make upgrading to a newer iPhone a better long-term choice.
Generally, we do not recommend spending much money repairing an iPhone 6s Plus in 2026. With the Certified Used / Refurbished iPhone 12 Mini starting at around $120, upgrading to a newer model often provides better value than paying for major repairs to an outdated phone.
Yes. The iPhone 12 Mini is our recommended replacement for the iPhone 6s Plus. Its 5.4-inch OLED display is close in diagonal size to the iPhone 6s Plus's 5.5-inch screen, while offering faster performance, improved cameras, 5G connectivity, and newer iOS support. Certified Used / Refurbished models start at around $120.
We recommend the iPhone 12 over the iPhone 11 because refurbished prices have dropped to approximately the same level. The iPhone 12 offers a better OLED display, 5G connectivity, a faster A14 Bionic processor, and a more modern design. Certified Used / Refurbished iPhone 12 models start at around $140.
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