Is Apple iPhone 6 Plus good for students now

November 21, 2025
Posted by Shweta Sharma

Introduction of Apple iPhone 6 Plus

As a student, choosing the right smartphone often comes down to balancing budget, performance, durability, and utility. The iPhone 6 Plus is a very old model — launched in 2014 — so it raises the question: Is it still relevant and usable for students in India today? In this blog, we’ll unpack the pros and cons, and help you decide whether it makes sense for a student to pick up a used or very cheap iPhone 6 Plus now.

What Is the iPhone 6 Plus?

The iPhone 6 Plus was Apple’s first large-screen iPhone — it has a 5.5-inch display, powered by the A8 chip, and was shipped with iOS 8 originally. It came in varieties of 16 / 64 / 128 GB storage. While it was cutting-edge in its time, technology has advanced significantly since then.

From a student’s standpoint, its large screen can be helpful for reading PDFs, browsing lecture notes, watching educational videos, or taking pictures of the blackboard. But age brings challenges too, especially in terms of software support, battery, performance, and app compatibility.

Software Support & Updates: A Major Concern

One of the biggest limitations of the iPhone 6 Plus today is software support:

According to compatibility checkers, the iPhone 6 / 6 Plus support up to iOS 12.
Many authoritative sources confirm that iOS 12.5.7 is the last update for the iPhone 6 Plus.
Without newer iOS versions, you miss out on the latest features, security patches, and compatibility improvements. Macworld estimates that Apple typically supports iPhones for five to eight years, and older models like the 6 Plus may now be beyond that support window.

Implication for students: Without security updates and with app support dwindling, there's a risk in continuing to rely on such an old device. For academic use — where privacy and data safety matter — this is not a trivial factor.

Performance & Usability for Student Life

Even with its age, the iPhone 6 Plus can still handle many basic student tasks:

Reading & Note-taking: The large 5.5″ screen helps in viewing PDFs, documents, and lecture slides. For students who rely on e-books or class materials, this is a plus (no pun intended).
Web Browsing & Research: It can still be decent for web browsing, Google Docs, and research work. However, since the hardware is weak by modern standards, complex websites or many browser tabs may slow it down.
Media Consumption: Watching educational videos (YouTube, online lectures) should work fine, though video quality and speed might not match newer phones.
Photography: The 8 MP rear camera is old but serviceable for taking simple photos — like class notes, whiteboard snapshots, or document images. But don’t expect great low-light performance or high-resolution quality.

Limitations:

With only 1 GB of RAM (in the original design), multitasking is very limited.
Newer apps may not run smoothly or may even lack support for iOS 12.
Heavy apps or modern games will likely be sluggish or crash.

Battery Life & Reliability

Battery performance is another critical area:

Given the phone is very old, the battery is likely degraded unless it has been replaced. A worn-out battery means very poor screen-on time.
For students, carrying a charger or power bank might become a necessity if the battery health is bad.
Also, older batteries may have safety degradation or swelling, which is a risk.

Reliability-wise, hardware components (screen, buttons) could also be more fragile due to wear and tear.

Cost Considerations in India

Why might a student even consider buying an iPhone 6 Plus now?

Low upfront cost (used/refurbished): On the second-hand market in India, older iPhones like the 6 Plus can be significantly cheaper than any new iPhone. For a student on a tight budget, this can seem like a way to own an “Apple phone.”
Resale value: Being a legacy model, the resale value of the iPhone 6 Plus is low, so it may not be a good long-term investment.
Repair costs: While some parts may still be available, repair and battery replacement might not be as cheap or reliable as newer phones. Finding a good third-party repair shop is crucial, but quality varies.

App Compatibility & Daily Productivity

Even if the phone’s hardware works, app compatibility is a big question:

Many modern apps require recent versions of iOS. As iPhone 6 Plus is stuck on iOS 12, some new apps or newer versions of apps may not support it.
Educational apps, note-taking tools, cloud services (OneDrive, Google Drive), and even social media might start dropping support or limiting features.
Security-minded apps (banking, payment apps) may not run or may refuse to update. This is a risk when using the phone for student-related financial tasks.

Alternatives to Consider for Students

Given the limitations, students should seriously consider more modern budget smartphones, which might provide better value:

Android Phones: Many budget Android models today provide excellent performance, more RAM, modern OS, and active app compatibility.
Newer iPhones: If you really want Apple, consider a used iPhone SE (2nd or 3rd gen) or a newer refurbished iPhone — they may cost more than a 6 Plus, but the benefit in performance and support can be worth it.
Refurbished mid-range Android: These offer more for daily student tasks, better battery life, and often more durable hardware.

Pros & Cons for Students — iPhone 6 Plus

Pros:

Affordable (if second-hand): Lower price point compared to newer iPhones.
Large screen: Good for reading notes, e-books, lectures, videos.
Apple build quality: Solid design, good build, feels premium.
Light tasks: For calls, texts, simple browsing — still usable.

Cons:

No major OS updates: Capped at iOS 12.5.7.
App incompatibility risk: Modern apps may not support iOS 12.
WhatsApp not guaranteed: Reported drop in support for older iOS versions.
Battery degradation: Older battery likely weak; replacement cost + reliability issues.
Security risk: Without updates, device is more vulnerable.
Low resale value: Poor long-term investment.

Practical Scenarios: When It Might Still Work for a Student

Here are a few scenarios where owning an iPhone 6 Plus could make sense for a student, if chosen carefully:

Secondary / Backup Device: If you already have a primary phone, the 6 Plus can serve as a secondary device for reading PDFs, taking lecture pictures, or listening to offline videos.
Budget Constraint: If you find a well-kept second-hand iPhone 6 Plus very cheaply, it could be a stop-gap phone until you can afford something newer.
Low-Requirement Use: If your use case is light — messaging, calls, reading — and you don’t rely on the latest apps, it might suffice.
Refurbished with Good Battery: If you can buy a refurbished unit where the battery has been replaced, you mitigate one of the biggest drawbacks.

Risks to Be Very Wary Of (Especially in 2025)

Security vulnerabilities: Without receiving modern security updates, the phone is at higher risk of being exploited or compromised.
Limited app support: Some essential modern tools for students (educational apps, productivity platforms) may not run correctly.
Repair and battery issues: Getting a good battery replacement might not be trivial; quality parts may vary.
Longevity: Since the phone is very old, even a second-hand unit may fail due to age-related hardware wear.

My Verdict: Is It “Good” for Students in India Today?

Generally, no — the iPhone 6 Plus is not a very smart buy for a student in 2025, unless you're very careful and know exactly what you're getting into.

It lacks modern software support, which is a critical concern for security and app compatibility.
Battery issues and wear may make the user experience frustrating.
WhatsApp support risk adds a real communication risk.
Better alternatives (even used/refurbished) are available today that make more sense.

FAQs of Apple iPhone 6 Plus

Q.1. Will WhatsApp still work on iPhone 6 Plus?

It’s risky — reports say WhatsApp may drop support for iPhones running iOS 15.1 or lower from May 2025, and the 6 Plus is limited to iOS 12.

Q.2. Can I get iOS 15 or newer on iPhone 6 Plus?

No — the highest iOS version officially supported on the iPhone 6 Plus is iOS 12.5.7.

Q.3. Is the battery life still usable for school / college?

Probably not well unless the battery has been replaced. Original batteries are likely degraded.

Q.4. Are modern apps (like study apps, note-taking tools) compatible?

Many newer apps may not support iOS 12, so compatibility can be limited or unstable.

Q.5. Should I buy a used iPhone 6 Plus or go for a newer refurbished phone?

If possible, go for a newer refurbished phone — you’ll get better software support, performance, and reliability in the long run.

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