Is the iPhone SE still worth buying in 2026?

Released in 2022, the third generation of the iPhone SE was the last before the range was discontinued at the start of 2025. Apple replaced it with the all-new “e” models, initially available with the iPhone 16e. Using a similar design to the iPhone, the iPhone SE 3 featured a 4.7-inch LCD screen, Touch ID authentication in the home button, a simple 5G modem, and the A15 Bionic – the same processor introduced with the iPhone 13. However, four years later, is this iPhone still worth buying? It depends on your usage, but the answer is probably no.

I reviewed this iPhone in mid-2022. At the time, I was happy with how it handled basic things like gaming, social media apps, and its battery seemed decent enough that I could use the phone regularly from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Even the main camera, which was the same as the 2020 model, was still capable of taking great photos. That said, even if you could find a brand new iPhone SE 3 with 64GB, 128GB, or 256GB of storage after all this time, it might not last very long. It’s important to see how long this device can actually receive updates and how much use you’ll get out of it. For most, it might be better to focus on a brand new iPhone 16e or iPhone 17e, as those are the natural replacements for this model’s lineup.

Usually, budget iPhones are for friends and family members who don’t care about the latest models with the most storage, multiple cameras, and all the latest stuff. They are perfect for those looking to avoid modern technology with finicky features and software glitches. That’s why I gave the iPhone SE 3 to my grandmother in 2022. Previously owning an iPhone 6, she was happy to have the familiar experience with the iPhone SE 3, but with everything working much better thanks to a snappier processor and great battery life.

Four years later, she understandably complains about battery life and tells me her phone has become much slower. Even for using WhatsApp, making video calls and playing card games, the iPhone SE 3 is no longer as good as before. The model has 256 GB of storage, which allows you to always update your phone. In reality, though, most people could get this device with 64GB of storage, which is a particularly bad deal in 2026.

With iOS 27 just around the corner, it’s safe to assume that the iPhone SE 3 will likely see support until 2028. That being said, it’s hard to justify spending a few hundred dollars on a phone with a six-year-old camera, a four-year-old processor, and storage that wouldn’t be the wisest choice even in 2022. If this type of phone is for someone who finds themselves averse to technology, these problems would only push him further apart.

While the iPhone SE 3 isn’t a good modern recommendation, if you just want to give something nice to someone who doesn’t like or understand much about technology, the safest bet is to go with the iPhone 16e – or, preferably, the iPhone 17e. It’s not easy for customers to find the 16th today, even on third-party marketplaces, but there’s a good reason for that. The iPhone 17e has a better processor, a better 5G modem, a bigger battery, improved cameras, MagSafe support, and double the minimum storage amount compared to its predecessor (256GB versus 128GB).

If you opt for the 17th, you (or someone in your family) might have the same feeling my grandmother had in 2022 when she bought the iPhone SE 3. It will almost certainly be snappier than whatever device it replaces, and while the new interface may be confusing at first, it’s as simple as swiping up on the screen to return to the Home screen. Additionally, the model’s facial authentication is much easier to manage than a fingerprint scanner.

With Apple removing the iPhone SE from its lineup, it’s time for customers to do the same. It’s possible to find the iPhone 17e at a good price, and its specifications will ensure that the device still performs well enough for everyday tasks even in 2030.