Expert issues security warning over iPhone 4 comeback that could leave people 'vulnerable'

The iPhone 4 is making a comeback, but a security expert has warned that this could pose a major security risk.

When it comes to technology, the iPhone is one of the most famous new examples of a big moment.

While newer models have the latest additional features, an increasing number of people seem to be opting for an older version of the iPhone.

After all, software and camera updates aside, the basic principle of a touchscreen phone hasn't really changed at all since the very first model.

But what is it which is drawing people to the older iPhone models, to the point that they're now selling for eye-watering prices?

Well, nostalgia or the 'feel' of the device appears to form a big part of it.

Steve Jobs with the iPhone 4 (Justin Sullivan/Getty Images)

Some enthusiasts are treating it as a digital camera, saying that they like the poorer picture quality of it and prefer it to the super-sharp modern phones.

GadgetHacks described it as 'a stylish throwback to simpler times', because let's be honest, the way 2026 is going so far, we could all do with that.

But before you scramble over to eBay to drop thousands, yes thousands, of dollars on a 16-year-old iPhone, just be aware that this might come with some security problems.

Lee Elliott is the chief product officer at tech recycling company Compare and Recycle, and warned that older software on the iPhone 4 means that it doesn't have the bug fixes and security updates of later iPhones.

He told the New York Post: “The latest iOS version that the iPhone 4 can support is iOS 7.1.2 - a version released in 2014.

The iPhone 4 is back (Simon Edwards/Future via Getty Images)

“That’s over a decade without updates or security fixes.

“Because of this, the iPhone 4 will not be able to protect any personal data in the way that more modern iPhones do, leaving users vulnerable to issues like data leaks, hacking, and other security breaches.”

So there you go - if you do decide to splash out and get yourself a phone old enough to legally order a beer in Germany, then watch out for what personal data you put onto it.

This means things like signing into an Apple ID or using it for an app that requires your information.

Something like using it for the camera doesn't really need you to even use the phone part of it if you're willing to plug it into your laptop to take the photos off, like it's 2008.