An Engadget writer makes the case for repurposing rather than discarding old iPhones, noting that even devices that no longer receive software or security updates can still serve a range of practical purposes. The piece highlights that Apple's software support extends surprisingly far back, with iOS 27 running on devices as old as the iPhone 11, meaning many "outdated" handsets remain perfectly usable for secondary tasks.

The article suggests several alternative uses, including turning an old iPhone into a dedicated music or gaming player, a bedside alarm clock via StandBy mode (available from iOS 17 onwards), a bike or motorcycle navigation device, an e-reader, or a tool for content creators to capture multi-cam footage or separate audio using apps such as Final Cut Pro. It also proposes using an old handset as a smart home control hub, and recommends that once a device is truly unusable, it should be sent for recycling rather than thrown away.