Just out of curiosity, 
I did a little calculation today to see just how long the flash memory contents in an iPhone would last. The iPhone uses an ARM processor, so based on the Philips specifications of 20-years for flash NVRAM data retention, and a maximum of 100,000 erase/write cycles, and assuming the iPhone reflashed itself every twenty years — which is possible through ARM IAP – In Application Programming, your old email and photos will be around for about 2-million years. I’m guessing the iPhone might evaporate before then, but just in case, don’t leave anything lying around that you don’t want read.
