Introduction
The iPhone 6s Plus was a fan favorite when it launched back in 2015, thanks to its large screen, sturdy design, and headphone jack. But in 2025, you might be wondering if this classic is still worth picking up—especially when a Certified Used or Refurbished model is priced as low as $80. While that sounds like a steal, there are some serious drawbacks you should consider before buying. From outdated software to major security concerns, the iPhone 6s Plus is no longer a smart or safe investment. In this article, we’ll break down exactly why we don’t recommend buying the iPhone 6s Plus in 2025, and what better alternatives are available for just a little more.
Perhaps the biggest red flag in 2025 is the fact that the iPhone 6s Plus is no longer supported by Apple. It received its final major update with iOS 15, and the last security update was issued in January 2023. That means this device hasn’t had any updates—major or minor—for over two years.
No support means more than just missing new emojis or features like lock screen customization and live activities. It means declining app compatibility, especially for apps that rely on newer frameworks and APIs introduced in iOS 16 and beyond. Apps like banking, rideshare, productivity tools, and even some social media platforms may no longer install—or worse, crash frequently.
Additionally, many popular third-party developers begin dropping support for older iOS versions just a few years after their release. If your phone can’t update, neither can your apps, leaving you stuck with outdated versions that don’t perform properly or can’t connect to secure services.
An outdated iPhone like the 6s Plus that hasn't received security updates since January 2023 is more than just slow—it’s a serious security liability. Here are the main risks users face when using a device that’s no longer supported:
As apps grow more advanced, older devices like the iPhone 6s Plus start falling behind—not just in features, but in basic usability. In 2025, many developers have already dropped support for iOS 15, the last OS version compatible with the 6s Plus. This leads to:
On top of that, the 2GB of RAM and A9 chip were respectable in 2015—but are seriously outdated now. Compared to even entry-level phones today, the iPhone 6s Plus struggles with everything from loading webpages to handling high-resolution images and videos.
Simply put, it’s becoming harder and harder to use the iPhone 6s Plus for day-to-day tasks in 2025.
Specs Comparison – iPhone 6s Plus vs. iPhone 11 Pro Max
| Feature | iPhone 6s Plus | iPhone 11 Pro Max |
|---|---|---|
| Release Year | 2015 | 2019 |
| iOS Support | Up to iOS 15 (Ended) | iOS 26 (Fully Supported) |
| Chipset | A9 | A13 Bionic |
| RAM | 2GB | 4GB |
| Display | 5.5" LCD | 6.5" OLED Super Retina XDR |
| Cameras | 12MP rear / 5MP front | Triple 12MP rear / 12MP front |
| Face ID | No (Touch ID) | Yes |
| Battery Life | ~10 hours | ~20 hours |
| Estimated Price | $80 | $200+ |
Performance & Speed
The A13 Bionic chip in the iPhone 11 Pro Max is significantly faster and more efficient than the A9 chip in the iPhone 6s Plus. With 4GB of RAM, multitasking, gaming, and even basic browsing feels smooth and responsive—even with the latest iOS 26. The 6s Plus simply can’t keep up.
Display Quality
The iPhone 11 Pro Max features a stunning 6.5-inch OLED Super Retina XDR display. Colors are vibrant, blacks are true, and overall brightness is far superior to the 6s Plus’s outdated 5.5-inch LCD. If you watch videos or browse a lot, this upgrade makes a huge visual difference.
Camera System
While the 6s Plus has a single rear camera, the 11 Pro Max packs a triple-camera system—wide, ultra-wide, and telephoto. It supports Night Mode, 4K video at 60fps, and delivers sharper, more dynamic shots in any condition. The front camera also jumps from 5MP to 12MP with portrait and slo-mo features.
Battery Life
Battery life is nearly double on the 11 Pro Max. Most users can go a full day without needing a charge, while the 6s Plus often struggles to last even 6–8 hours, especially on older batteries.
Face ID & Modern Features
The 11 Pro Max uses Face ID, a faster and more secure alternative to Touch ID. You also get wireless charging, better water resistance, improved speakers, and long-term iOS support.
Spec Comparison – iPhone 6s Plus vs. iPhone 11
| Feature | iPhone 6s Plus | iPhone 11 |
|---|---|---|
| Release Year | 2015 | 2019 |
| iOS Support | Up to iOS 15 (Ended) | iOS 26 (Fully Supported) |
| Chipset | A9 | A13 Bionic |
| RAM | 2GB | 4GB |
| Display | 5.5" LCD | 6.1" Liquid Retina LCD |
| Cameras | 12MP rear / 5MP front | Dual 12MP rear / 12MP front |
| Face ID | No (Touch ID) | Yes |
| Battery Life | ~10 hours | ~17 hours |
| Estimated Price | $80 | $140+ |
Modern Performance
Like the Pro Max, the iPhone 11 runs on the A13 Bionic chip and 4GB of RAM. It handles app updates, security patches, and newer features with ease, while the 6s Plus is now locked out of many essential updates.
Display Upgrade
The 6.1-inch Liquid Retina LCD is a welcome step up. While not OLED, it still delivers sharper colors, better brightness, and a larger viewing area than the 6s Plus. It’s great for casual video watching, reading, and social media.
Dual Cameras with Night Mode
You get two 12MP rear cameras—standard wide and ultra-wide. That gives you more creative freedom, especially with Night Mode for low-light shots. The 12MP front camera also supports portrait selfies and Smart HDR.
Longer Battery Life
The iPhone 11 can easily get through a full day of use. It’s more power-efficient than the 6s Plus, which often requires a midday charge—especially if the battery is original or degraded.
Value for Money
At around $140+, the iPhone 11 delivers excellent value. It gives you speed, security, and support for at least a couple more years—all for just slightly more than a refurbished 6s Plus that’s no longer supported.
While the iPhone 6s Plus may seem like a bargain at $80, it’s not a good investment in 2025. It no longer receives iOS or security updates, has limited app compatibility, and poses serious privacy risks. On top of that, aging hardware and battery life make daily use frustrating at best—and unsafe at worst.
Instead, we strongly recommend choosing a Certified Used or Refurbished iPhone 11 ($140+) or iPhone 11 Pro Max ($200+). Both models offer dramatically better performance, camera quality, and iOS 26 support—making them much smarter long-term choices.
If you're shopping for a secure, reliable, and future-proof iPhone, skip the 6s Plus and compare better alternatives today on UpTrade, where you can find real-time deals from certified sellers like Amazon, BestBuy, and Apple—all in one place.
No. Apple dropped iOS and security support for the iPhone 6s Plus. The last update was in January 2023, making it unsafe to use in 2025.
Some basic apps may still work, but many popular apps are no longer compatible with iOS 15, which is the last version supported on the iPhone 6s Plus.
Not really. Without security updates, the phone is vulnerable to hacks, malware, and other privacy threats.
We recommend the Certified Used or Refurbished iPhone 11, which starts around $140 and supports iOS 26.
The iPhone 11 Pro Max is an excellent choice. It features a larger OLED display, better cameras, and longer battery life—all with continued iOS updates.
The iPhone 6s Plus was released in September 2015, making it 10 years old in 2025.
The iPhone 6s Plus features a 5.5-inch Retina HD LCD display and measures 6.23 x 3.07 x 0.29 inches (158.2 x 77.9 x 7.3 mm).
It’s similar in size but slightly taller than the iPhone 11 and iPhone 13, though those models have larger displays (6.1 inches) due to thinner bezels and the removal of the home button.
The iPhone 8 Plus shares nearly the same physical dimensions and screen size (5.5 inches) as the iPhone 6s Plus. Both have Touch ID and similar build designs.
We recommend the Certified Used or Refurbished iPhone 11, which starts around $140 and supports iOS 26.
The iPhone 11 Pro Max is the best premium alternative. It offers a bigger OLED display, triple-camera system, and much longer battery life—with full support for the latest iOS features.
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