How often do iPhones need to be replaced?

I'm getting a new phone soon, and I want it to be something that will last for a long time. I'm a sophomore in high school right now, and I need something that will last at least through my first year of college. Would an iPhone work for me? I'm thinking about a 4s for cost purposes.

If you treat them well (don't drop them or get them wet or dirty, etc.) they can last 2, 3, or more years, although you may need a battery to get replaced after a couple of years (lots of phone repair places will do that for $50 or less). I would recommend getting at least an iPhone 5 though; Apple eventually stops updating software for older phones, so you want to get updates as long as possible; if you got a 4S instead of a 5 you would stop getting updates sooner.

The same thing about updates goes for any other phone you might get besides an iPhone, except it would probably be even worse (i.e. Most Android phones only get updates for maybe a year after they're manufactured).

My last iphone I had 3.5 years, so you can use it a long time. It still worked great but hardware gets so much better that eventually I upgraded.
If I were you I would get 5C if you can still get the walmart deal below, as thats about as cheap as it gets and is far better hardware then 4S for a low price still.
--------------
Walmart is selling iPhones for cheap as part of a sale for the holiday season in late 2013. The retailer is, beginning on Friday, selling an iPhone 5C for $27 with a two-year contract from AT&T or Verizon. The high-end iPhone 5S is selling for $127 with the contract. The sales will be through December 24 or while supplies last.

They will last for years. Most people replace them because they want to, not because there's anything wrong with the phone. Eventually the battery wears out (after around 3-5 years, depending on how much you use it), but that can be replaced. The rest of the phone can last indefinitely. After many more years, the storage will eventually wear out, but I don't think anyone keeps iPhones long enough to see that (even the first iPhones haven't reached hat age yet).

  • When my iPhone 6 screen is replaced by apple, will the home button be replaced as well? Ever since I updated to iOS 9 on my iPhone 6, the home button has been totally unresponsive. On top of this, my phone was recently stepped on and the screen was shattered. I plan on paying the $109 to have the screen replaced from apple, but does that replace the home button too? I've heard that when the front screen panel is replaced, so is the home button/touch id.
  • When going to get my Iphone replaced, what do I need to bring to the Apple store? I got my iphone a little over two months ago and the ear speaker has stopped working properly. The phone is under my father's name, and he took it to fido to see what can be done and they said to take it to an apple store. I'm planning on going myself but since the phone isn't under my name, what do I need to bring with me?
  • I dropped my Iphone, it broke. Now I need it replaced. What do I do? Dropped it earlier this month and broke some of the screen. Was going to replace it but didn't. Of course I dropped it again and now it seems I broke some sort of hardware piece in the phone. I have Verizon as a provider and the phone is an Iphone 5c. Can I just buy any old Iphone online and then activate it through my Verizon plan? I've never had this happen to me.
  • How to concentrate? I often get distracted by my iphone? However, i can't give up on my phone as i do a lot of good things with it as well. Like keeping track of my assignments, use what's app to do my project work. I do up a plan but can't follow it because of distractions