Is iPhone SE (2nd gen still supported)

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Is iPhone SE (2nd gen still supported)

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With the launch of the iPhone SE (2022), Apple secretly bumped off the new mid-range iPhone's popular predecessor, the iPhone SE (2020), relegating it to the records of history... almost.

As can be seen on Apple's website (opens in new tab), clicking on 'iPhone SE' no longer leads you to the 2020 model, but to iPhone SE (2022) pre-orders - in fact, the phone has been completely dropped from the fruit brand's online store. 

The only hint it ever existed is in accessory listings, where 'iPhone SE (2nd generation)' is listed in the Compatibility section for certain products.

That's not exactly a surprise, as Apple is prone to canning older iPhones when new ones are announced, though we'd argue that the older iPhone SE should have been kept around as a 4G counterpart to the new 5G model, since connectivity is one of the only changes between them.

However, if you were keen to buy the iPhone SE (2020) and haven't been tempted by the newer model, there are actually ways to still buy it.

How to buy the iPhone SE (2020)

Although Apple no longer stocks the two-year-old iPhone SE, and likely also switched its factories over to making the new one, it's still certainly easy to buy the handset from retailers.

That's because third-party shops still have their inventory of iPhone SE (2020) models to sell off, and depending on how big their stocks are, we could see the handset remain readily available for months to come.

Even once new handsets have been sold off, there will likely be a burgeoning second-hand market for the devices, which is something we've seen for other iPhones in the past. 'Renewed' or 'refreshed' iPhones remain popular, especially from retailers with great services that ensure your second-hand handset feels like a new one.

So don't worry - you haven't missed your chance to buy an iPhone SE (2020). In fact, you can see all the best prices on them right here:

Tom's role in the TechRadar team is to specialize in phones and tablets, but he also takes on other tech like electric scooters, smartwatches, fitness, mobile gaming and more. He is based in London, UK.

He graduated in American Literature and Creative Writing from the University of East Anglia. Prior to working in TechRadar freelanced in tech, gaming and entertainment, and also spent many years working as a mixologist. Outside of TechRadar he works in film as a screenwriter, director and producer.

Is iPhone SE (2nd gen still supported)

Most iPhones tend to get more than six or even eight years of support, which is way more than almost everything you can find in the Android sphere. If you want to update your iPhone or know if your current handset supports the latest iOS 16, you’ve come to the right place.

This article will answer how long Apple supports each iPhone model (including the iPhone 14), ensuring that the device receives the essential software and security updates. At the same time, we will show you which smartphones Apple has labeled as obsolete and vintage.

How long will my iPhone be supported?

To answer how long Apple supports iPhones, we must first understand what it means for a handset to get too “old.” Simply put, it’s a consequence of new demands on the internal components due to recent updates of the OS or new technical requirements from the latest apps.

A new iOS update comes out, and your device can no longer meet those demands. As a consequence, the support stops at that moment.

Let’s compile all historical data about the support of every iPhone model, accompanied by release dates, discontinuation dates, and iOS compatibility. Please, take into consideration that support end dates are estimates and based on past releases, so they may be subject to changes in the future.

Model Release date Discontinuation date Supported iOS compatibility
iPhone Jun 29, 2007 Jul 15, 2018 No iOS 3.0
iPhone 3G Jun 09, 2008 Jun 7, 2010 No iOS 4
iPhone 3GS Jun 19, 2009 Sep 12, 2012 No iOS 6
iPhone 4 Jun 24, 2010 Sep 10, 2013 No iOS 7
iPhone 4s Oct 14, 2011 Sep 4, 2014 No iOS 9
iPhone 5C Sep 20, 2013 Sep 9, 2015 No iOS 10
iPhone 5S Sep 20, 2013 Mar 21, 2016 No iOS 12
iPhone 6 / iPhone 6 Plus Sep 25, 2014 Sep 7, 2016 No iOS 12
iPhone 6S / 6S Plus Sep 25, 2015 Sep 12, 2018 No iOS 15
iPhone SE (1st generation) Mar 31, 2016 Sep 12, 2018 No iOS 15
iPhone 7 / 7 Plus Sep 16, 2016 Sep 10, 2019 No iOS 15
iPhone 8 / 8 Plus Sep 22, 2017 Apr 15, 2020 Yes – Until 2023 iOS 16
iPhone X Nov 3, 2017 Sep 12, 2018 Yes – Until 2024 iOS 16
iPhone XS / XS Max Sep 21, 2018 Sep 10, 2019 Yes – Until 2025 iOS 16
iPhone XR Oct 26, 2018 Oct 26, 2018 Yes – Until 2025 iOS 16
iPhone 11 Sep 20, 2019 Sep 7, 2022 Yes – Until 2026 iOS 16
iPhone 11 Pro / 11 Pro Max Sep 20, 2019 Oct 13, 2020 Yes – Until 2026 iOS 16
iPhone SE (2nd generation) Apr 24, 2020 Mar 8, 2022 Yes – Until 2027 iOS 16
iPhone 12 Oct 23, 2020 In production Yes – Until 2027 iOS 16
iPhone 12 mini Nov 13, 2020 Sep 7, 2022 Yes – Until 2027 iOS 16
iPhone 12 Pro Oct 23, 2020 Sep 14, 2021 Yes – Until 2027 iOS 16
iPhone 12 Pro Max Nov 13, 2020 Sep 14, 2021 Yes – Until 2027 iOS 16
iPhone 13 / 13 mini Sep 24, 2021 In production Yes – Until 2028 iOS 16
iPhone 13 Pro / Pro Max Sep 24, 2021 Sep 7, 2022 Yes – Until 2028 iOS 16
iPhone SE (3rd generation) Mar 18, 2022 In production Yes – Until 2029 iOS 16
iPhone 14 Sep 16, 2022 In production Yes – Until 2029 iOS 16
iPhone 14 Plus Oct 7, 2022 In production Yes – Until 2029 iOS 16
iPhone 14 Pro / 14 Pro Max Sep 16, 2022 In production Yes – Until 2029 iOS 16

As you can see in the table, Apple ensures compatibility with the latest iOS 16 for older models, such as the iPhone 8/8 Plus, and iOS 15 compatibility for handsets as old as the iPhone 6S.

Don’t hesitate to look at the complete stats page on RefurbMe, where you can find additional information about prices, days from release to refurb, and average discounts on all our Apple products, among others.

Finally, Apple is still pushing critical security updates on iOS 14 for supported devices. As we’ll see in the following section, other models become obsolete, and Apple’s official support ends there.

What are the obsolete and vintage iPhones?

When considering how long Apple supports older iPhone models, we must first read the company’s words. In this article, Apple states:

Owners of iPhone, iPad, iPod, Mac, or Apple TV products may obtain service and parts from Apple service providers, including Apple Retail Stores and Independent Repair Providers, for a minimum of 5 years from when Apple last distributed the product for sale.

Is iPhone SE (2nd gen still supported)
iPhone 4

You could extend this support for up to seven years, depending on the availability of parts.

Obsolete iPhones list

Obsolete iPhones are discontinued models with more than seven years in the market and are the following:

  • iPhone (the first model from the good old days)
  • iPhone 3G
  • iPhone 3GS
  • iPhone 4
  • iPhone 4s

Vintage iPhones list

Vintage iPhones are those that have not been sold for more than five years (but less than seven years):

  • iPhone 4 (8GB)
  • iPhone 5
  • iPhone 5c
  • iPhone 5s
  • iPhone 6 Plus
  • iPhone 6s
  • iPhone 6s Plus

It’s worth noting that 3G networks will shut down in the United States and will do in additional countries as the 5G revolution continues to grow. Some carriers will no longer offer 3G service, and some users with old devices may need to upgrade to a newer device to avoid losing connectivity.

Takeaway

In conclusion, we’ve seen that Apple’s support is exceptionally extended in time. Even if its products can be more expensive than their Android counterparts, the cost-benefit ratio of having up to seven years of support can ease customers’ minds and make it worth it.

👉 Related article: I Broke My Phone, What Can I Do? (9 Solutions to Consider)

We invite you to check out some of our iPhone deals on RefurbMe. Buying refurbished products is the best way to save money when purchasing a smartphone, boost the circular economy and get a completely functional device with a warranty. See you soon!

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CEO and Founder at RefurbMe. I made this project back when I was 15 when I had to wake up at 2am to buy my own refurbished Macbook Pro. Passionate about circular economy, great UX and goats.

Does the iPhone SE 2nd Gen still get updates?

Video: Watch Everything Announced at Apple's WWDC 2022 Event This means any phones introduced in 2016 or earlier, including the iPhone 6S, iPhone SE and iPhone 7, won't be getting Apple software updates anymore.

Will iPhone SE still work in 2022?

Apple supports its phones with software updates for many years, and the processing power inside the iPhone SE (2022) means it'll have no problems with apps or general performance for a significant length of time.

Can the iPhone SE 2nd Gen Get iOS 15?

Apple's new iOS 15 operating system is compatible with all of the iPhones that are able to run iOS 14, including the original iPhone SE, the iPhone 6s, and the ‌iPhone‌ 6s Plus. Apple's list of compatible devices confirms that ‌iOS 15 works with all of these iPhones: All iPhone 12 models.

Does iPhone SE 2nd generation support 5G?

No, the iPhone SE 2 does not have 5G. There are currently no iPhones compatible with this latest mobile data standard.