iPhone SE (2016) First Gen SE: How much longer viable?

[leifp]

If you’re not worried about privacy and security for what you do with that phone, use it until it stops working… and that’s anyone’s guess.

Personally, when phone (tablet, laptop, etc) support switches to security patches alone is when I tap out. I’m a mini guy at heart, but you cannot buy what’s not available…

 

[Allen_Wentz]

well, i waited, like many, for the iphone SE4. instead, we got a $600 16e. i wish they had kept it an SE named model. or, it would be great if they would create a dedicated SE line that caters to what that crowd looks for, esp. price and size.

so, i cling to my first gen. SE. it only has 32gb of storage (i do utilize icloud). the software has topped out at ios 15.8. how much longer can this phone at that level of software continue to function day to day? i could update the browser to firefox or something. i like that my phone has a home button, headphone jack, small size, etc.

You are asking the wrong people the wrong question. Only you, and your finances, can determine when your 9-year-old iPhone becomes intolerable enough for you to pay to upgrade.

Personally I would wait to see the September 2025 iPhones before deciding if I should get a new iPhone, but I find newer phones cost-effective in my life. If the iPhone 17s will not be in your decision matrix then you just need to make your own decision now.

 

[sdfox7]

My 6S (same hardware as the SE) still works perfectly, and even the few apps that no longer update continue to work.

Two things you can do to greatly improve performance are to go to Settings and turn on "reduce motion" and "reduce transparency". These two things will reduce overhead on the graphics and improve responsiveness a lot.

 

[Wanted797]

Maybe a mini form factor at some point. But the mini form factor is clearly off the table at this point. Although I was a hopeful a year or so ago.

I dunno why they’d change it, that would cost a bunch of retooling and design.

The 13 mini has already had all that paid for.