iPhone SE didn't come with iOS 9.3

[Annajules]

I just bought an iPhone SE. Was a little surprised that the default software it came with is 10.1.1. I was expecting and hoping it to come with 9.3 as from prior experience, iPhones run most seamlessly on their native iOS.

When I got the iPhone 5 in December 2013, it came with its native iOS 6 despite 7 already being available.

Why don't all iPhones come with their native iOS out of the box?

 

[bcave098]

I imagine they come with whatever version is the newest when the device was manufactured.

 

[SSAJ]

I imagine they come with whatever version is the newest when the device was manufactured.

Yeah they come with the latest version of which is available at the time of manufacturing

 

[Cameroncafe10a]

I know someone who recently bought an iPad Pro 9.7" and it came with iOS 10.0.2

 

[iOSUser7]

It came on iOS 10 because Apple still sells the iPhone SE today so they install the latest firmware before shipping.

This was a different story for your iPhone 5 in December 2013 because Apple discontinued the iPhone 5 in September 2013 (and replaced it with the 5c) so all the iPhone 5 sealed in their box were (and still are today if you are lucky enough to find one) running iOS 6.x.x because this was the latest firmware at the time this phone was still sold by Apple.

 

[Thor_1]

Makes sense. Phone is still in production and selling well.

 

[44267547]

I just bought an iPhone SE. Was a little surprised that the default software it came with is 10.1.1. I was expecting and hoping it to come with 9.3 as from prior experience, iPhones run most seamlessly on their native iOS.

When I got the iPhone 5 in December 2013, it came with its native iOS 6 despite 7 already being available.

Why don't all iPhones come with their native iOS out of the box?

It's not abnormal to ship with the latest OS. The SE is no exception being how popular it is.

 

[regkilla]

I bought an iPhone SE off eBay and it came on iOS 9.3.3. I was easily able to jailbreak it.

 

[BearBert]

Friend of mine brought an SE from Apple on Friday and it had 9.3

 

[makinao]

Don't worry. My 8-month old SE is currently on 10.2.1 with no problems or lag.

 

[daijholt]

As said, completely depends on what is current at time of manufacture. Bare in mind devices could be built, then sit on a shelf for months before someone buys them, which is why you'll often get devices on older software out of the box.

 

[nburwell]

Don't worry. My 8-month old SE is currently on 10.2.1 with no problems or lag.

Same here. My SE operates just as smooth on iOS 10.2.1 as it did on iOS 9.3.5. Rest assured your device will still work just fine.

 

[Annajules]

Thanks for the responses everyone!

The ios 10 does indeed run smoothly on my SE. Sounds strange but I would have preferred to experience the original ios on SE and not update it until apps become incompatible.

I only went from ios 6 to ios 8 to ios 10 when apps started becoming incompatible, skipping ios 7 and 9 on my iphone 5. Every time I upgrade, I feel the drop in battery life and the extra time it takes to load.

 

[Stevessvt]

Thanks for the responses everyone!

The ios 10 does indeed run smoothly on my SE. Sounds strange but I would have preferred to experience the original ios on SE and not update it until apps become incompatible.

I only went from ios 6 to ios 8 to ios 10 when apps started becoming incompatible, skipping ios 7 and 9 on my iphone 5. Every time I upgrade, I feel the drop in battery life and the extra time it takes to load.

Maybe it's good it came with 10 on it then, now you have no point of reference of the older iOS to compare it against.

 

[Newtons Apple]

The SE will run just fine on 10.

 

[44267547]

Thanks for the responses everyone!

The ios 10 does indeed run smoothly on my SE. Sounds strange but I would have preferred to experience the original ios on SE and not update it until apps become incompatible.

I only went from ios 6 to ios 8 to ios 10 when apps started becoming incompatible, skipping ios 7 and 9 on my iphone 5. Every time I upgrade, I feel the drop in battery life and the extra time it takes to load.

Fortunately most times, iOS updates becomes more Productive in managing the battery better. That's at least part of the goal.