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User profile for user: Christopher Davis2
Christopher Davis2 Author
User level: Level 1
86 points

Is iPhone 7 still compatible these days?

My mother has an iPhone 7, I think from 2016. The last year or so she's had a lot of problems with cellular data speed, loading time, general performance. She's almost 90yo, can barely do anything, and just needs the minimum in features - phone, camera, texting, basic internet use. She does not need a top end iPhone 15.


I'm guessing she needs to upgrade her iphone to at least an iPhone SE (which comes right before #13 on the chronology of models on Apple's website). She doesn't want to spend a lot on the latest phone. My theory is that the iPhone 7 just can't keep up with today's networks and IOS. But I'm not 100% sure. Would that be accurate? Are iPhone 7's still a practical model in use these days? Can the phone handle an upgrade to the latest IOS?

Is there a fix solution or just in fact get a newer phone like I am suggesting?

Thanks for any suggestions.

Posted on Dec 29, 2023 11:03 AM

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User profile for user: Phil0124
Phil0124
Community+ 2024
User level: Level 10
206,867 points

Posted on Dec 29, 2023 11:20 AM

The iPhone 7 cannot update past iOS 15.8. Its the last version it supports.

This should not cause it to stop working or lag in any way, nor does it mean it can't keep up or connect to cellular.


The data speeds would be down to her carrier, not the device itself or it being old. It can connect to the cellular service the same way ti always. It won't connect to newer technologies such as 5G, but it can support the same speed and bandwidth it supported from the beginning.


You can try restarting the iPhone, or restoring it to factory settings and setting it up again, and see if that helps its general performance.


You can also look at models slightly older than an iPhone 15 to upgrade to. It does not have to be the brand new one if you don't want to. Something from 2020 or 2021, would still work better and faster than an iPhone 7.

iPhone 13, iPhone 12 for instance.


You can get a refurbished model from Apple for a reduced price.

click here ➜ Refurbished iPhone Deals - Apple



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User profile for user: Phil0124
Phil0124
Community+ 2024
User level: Level 10
206,867 points

Dec 29, 2023 11:20 AM in response to Christopher Davis2

The iPhone 7 cannot update past iOS 15.8. Its the last version it supports.

This should not cause it to stop working or lag in any way, nor does it mean it can't keep up or connect to cellular.


The data speeds would be down to her carrier, not the device itself or it being old. It can connect to the cellular service the same way ti always. It won't connect to newer technologies such as 5G, but it can support the same speed and bandwidth it supported from the beginning.


You can try restarting the iPhone, or restoring it to factory settings and setting it up again, and see if that helps its general performance.


You can also look at models slightly older than an iPhone 15 to upgrade to. It does not have to be the brand new one if you don't want to. Something from 2020 or 2021, would still work better and faster than an iPhone 7.

iPhone 13, iPhone 12 for instance.


You can get a refurbished model from Apple for a reduced price.

click here ➜ Refurbished iPhone Deals - Apple



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User profile for user: KaeBFly
KaeBFly
User level: Level 6
8,287 points

Dec 29, 2023 11:17 AM in response to Christopher Davis2

As far as the latest iOS no the iPhone 7 can’t be updated and isn’t compatible. I wouldn’t suggest buying another one as it will likely run into issues with app compatibility as developers stop supporting some older iOS versions and that could impact any apps she may enjoy using. Definitely don’t have to go for expensive newer models but would just look for something that would have a longer window for support.

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Is iPhone 7 still compatible these days?

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