5 iPhones for Those Who Want to Stay on iOS 26 and Won’t Update to iOS 27

iOS 27 is coming this fall, and some readers have already firmly decided they won’t be downloading it. But a follow-up question arises that I get asked most often: which iPhone is right for iOS 26 if you don’t want to update? If you’re not chasing the new system, the selection criteria change entirely. A chip with headroom is no longer needed, and Apple Intelligence is even less necessary.

Here’s how to choose an iPhone if you don’t want to update to iOS 27

Can you skip iOS 27? Of course you can, but you need to decide now. For example, iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 will ship with iOS 27 out of the box, and the base model, according to rumors, will get a trimmed-down version of the system. Rolling it back to the previous version will never be possible. A couple of weeks after release, Apple will stop signing iOS 26, and restoring via computer will also be closed off. The same applies to other existing models like iPhone 17: they’ll come from the factory with iOS 27 preinstalled.

iPhone 13 in 2026: Is It Worth Buying

The base iPhone 13 is still great in 2026. There’s a chance to find it on older iOS versions

The most affordable entry into the ecosystem today is the iPhone 13. And this isn’t a compromise for the sake of saving money — it’s a surprisingly logical choice specifically for someone staying on the previous system.

It’s all about the A15 and 4 GB of RAM combination. On iOS 26, it runs smoothly, but on iOS 27, this duo would be the first to start choking. So iPhone 13 benefits from refusing to update more than any other model in this list.

Then there are the small things that have become rare in 2026. The SIM card tray is present in every version, including the American one: eSIM-only started only with the fourteenth generation. The ultra-wide camera, which the iPhone 16e lacks, is still there. Lightning means that old cables and docking stations will keep working. A reliable iPhone without a single unnecessary feature, and when buying it, there’s a chance to get iOS 18 if you look hard enough.

iPhone 16e: An Affordable iPhone with Great Battery

iPhone 16e is still available for purchase

If you want an iPhone with solid hardware for minimal money, you’ll like the iPhone 16e. The model was built on the principle of “remove everything people overpay for,” and in our scenario, this approach unexpectedly works in its favor.

The main trump card here isn’t the chip, but the battery life. The 3961 mAh battery is larger than the iPhone 16 Pro’s, and Apple’s own C1 modem saves charge where Qualcomm solutions used to drain it. This is the best affordable iPhone with great battery life. Plus, there’s a good chance of finding one still on iOS 18.

On the downside: no ultra-wide camera, no MagSafe, 60 Hz display. Technically, the 16e supports Apple Intelligence, but since you’re not updating, that spec line doesn’t concern you at all. You’re paying exactly for what you use.

iPhone 16: A Powerful iPhone for Everyday Tasks

iPhone 16 — an advanced model with a huge margin of functionality

A people’s smartphone without overpaying — that’s the iPhone 16. It’s bought by those who need a normal modern phone, not a set of technologies from a presentation.

The same A18 chip as in the 16e, but with the fifth GPU core, plus an ultra-wide camera, MagSafe, and Dynamic Island. The Camera Control button is here too, though personally I use it once a month.

8 GB of RAM on iOS 26 means Safari tabs won’t reload, and heavy apps will stay in the background for years. A powerful iPhone that has nothing to prove. The only real complaint remains the same: a 60 Hz display, and in 2026, that’s already awkward.

iPhone 14 Pro Max: An iPhone with a 120 Hz Display

iPhone 14 Pro Max — why not?

The most interesting option in this list is the iPhone 14 Pro Max. Usually this model gets criticized for never receiving Apple Intelligence. In our case, that’s zero loss. Unfortunately, finding a new one will be difficult, but there are plenty on the secondary market at very attractive prices.