Apple Declares 2016 iPhone SE Obsolete

Apple has classified the original iPhone SE, released in 2016, as obsolete, ending official hardware support for the once-popular compact smartphone worldwide. The policy update, effective at the end of November 2025, means owners can no longer obtain repairs, battery replacements, or parts from Apple Stores or authorized service providers.

Under Apple's support guidelines, products transition to vintage status five years after discontinuation and become obsolete after seven years. The first-generation iPhone SE, launched in March 2016 as a smaller, more affordable option in the iPhone lineup, was removed from sale on September 12, 2018. This timeline places it squarely in the obsolete category, joining several other devices in the recent update.

The iPhone SE featured a 4-inch display, Touch ID home button, and an A9 processor borrowed from the iPhone 6s, providing performance comparable to larger flagships at the time. Priced starting at $399, it appealed to users seeking a pocketable device with 12-megapixel rear and 1.2-megapixel front cameras, 2GB of RAM, and storage options from 16GB to 128GB. It received software updates through iOS 15, with the final security patch, iOS...