The 15-year-old iPhone 4 has unexpectedly gone viral again in early 2026, with demand surging by nearly 1,000%.
According to GadgetHacks, a 15-year-old iPhone model suddenly exploded in popularity thanks to TikTok, triggering a buying frenzy.
Creators now see the iPhone 4 as a fashionable symbol of nostalgia. With its distinctive steel frame and compact 3.5-inch screen, the phone brings people back to a simpler era.
Experts from Compare and Recycle point out that demand for the iPhone 4 has jumped by nearly 1,000%, with more than 347,000 posts on TikTok related to the #digicam hashtag.
As for the reason, fans of the iPhone 4 believe that although its 5MP camera is technically far behind the 48MP camera on the latest iPhone 17, its photos are favored for their unique grainy texture and cinematic vibe.
However, while trendy young users abandon new iPhones in favor of this 2010-era device, they are overlooking the risks involved.
The team also warns: “The iPhone 4 poses digital security risks that users may not expect. This is because the latest iOS version it supports is iOS 7.1.2, released in 2014, and it has had no updates or security patches for over a decade.”
This means all your data could be exposed, with no security protection and no privacy at all. Any credentials could be stolen, and any content could be leaked. You should never entrust anything important to this phone.
If you still want to use an iPhone 4, here is the best advice from the Compare and Recycle team:
Manually transfer photos: Use a wired connection to upload photos to a laptop. Do not use iCloud backups.
Avoid logging in: Never sign in to iCloud or any personal Apple ID.
Avoid installing sensitive apps: Do not install email, banking, or social media apps that contain personal information.
Stay offline: Keep the device in airplane mode and do not insert a SIM card.
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