Tested · Scored · RankedNEWinstax mini Evo 2 — full review & score →
Apple iPhone SE (1st generation)
Apple

iPhone SE (1st generation)

A 4-inch iPhone with flagship internals.

iPhones
8.3/10What the pros sayExcellentExpert consensusSee score breakdown ↓
Storage
Buying call

The original iPhone SE put the A9 chip, a 12MP camera with 4K video and Touch ID into the classic 4-inch body. That made it the most powerful small phone of its day, and critics rated it highly for exactly that reason. Today the 1136x640 screen feels cramped, battery life is modest, and it no longer receives software updates.

Full verdict ↓
Lowest new price · 16GBCheck price0 retailers
See availability Check the store for today’s priceGet a price-drop alert
Compare prices at
Editor testedHands-on testing and real-world use
Real-world useBased on everyday testing, not a spec sheet
Unbiased reviewIndependent and objective, sources shown
iPhone SE (1st generation)Check priceSee price
Key specs
Modules
- 12-megapixel camera - ƒ/2.2 aperture - Five-element lens - 5x digital zoom - Live Photos with stabilization - Local tone mapping - Face detection - True Tone flash - Sapphire crystal lens cover - Backside illumination sensor
Display type
LCD
Video
4K video recording at 30 fps · 1080p HD video recording at 30 fps or 60 fps
Highlights

Specs that matter

Display
Panel
LCD
Size
4" (102 mm)
Performance
Processor
A9
Storage
16GB, 32GB, 64GB, 128GB
OS
iOS 11; With new features and capabilities that let you get more done quickly and easily, iOS 11 makes iPhone more power
Battery
Capacity
1624 mAh
Body
Weight
4 oz (113 g)
Dimensions
height: 4.87 inches (123.8 mm); width: 2.31 inches (58.6 mm); depth: 0.30 inch (7.6 mm)
At a glance

Product highlights

Verified attributes, grouped for quick scanning.

Display4" (102 mm)LCD
ChipsetA9
RAM / storage16GB, 32GB, 64GB, 128GBiOS 11; With new features and capabilities that let you get more done quickly an
Battery1,624 mAhUp to 14 hours on 3G, Up to 12 hours on 3G,, up to 13 hours on LTE,, up to 13 hours on Wi-Fi, Up to 13 hours, Up to 50 hours, Up to 10 days
53 attributes · See all specifications
Price & availability

Where to buy

Prices from trusted US retailers, updated daily.

Set price alert

We may earn a commission from qualifying purchases. Prices and availability are stored at the time of last verification and may change.

0 price points tracked.
Check the store for today’s price.
Available in 16GB, 32GB, 64GB, 128GB.
Buying decision

Should you buy it?

The original iPhone SE put the A9 chip, a 12MP camera with 4K video and Touch ID into the classic 4-inch body. That made it the most powerful small phone of its day, and critics rated it highly for exactly that reason. Today the 1136x640 screen feels cramped, battery life is modest, and it no longer receives software updates.

Best for

Small-phone fans and collectors

Not for

Anyone who needs modern apps or a bigger screen

Main strengthCompact 4-inch design
Main weaknessSmall, low-resolution 1136x640 display
Reasons to buy
Compact 4-inch design
A9 chip with full flagship performance at launch
12MP camera with 4K video
Touch ID
Reasons to avoid
Small, low-resolution 1136x640 display
Modest battery life
No longer receives software updates
Measured view8.3/10What the pros say.
Head to head

How it stacks up

Open a comparison for the full side-by-side view.

Choose a gadget
Apple iPhone SE (1st generation)
This deviceiPhone SE (1st generation)
VS
iPhone SE (2nd generation)
AlternativeiPhone SE (2nd generation)
Display
4"4.7"
Chipset
A9A13 Bionic
Full comparison
Apple iPhone SE (1st generation)
This deviceiPhone SE (1st generation)
VS
iPhone SE (3rd generation)
AlternativeiPhone SE (3rd generation)
Display
4"4.7"
Chipset
A9A15 Bionic
Full comparison
Apple iPhone SE (1st generation)
This deviceiPhone SE (1st generation)
VS
iPhone SE
AlternativeiPhone SE
Display
4"4"
Chipset
A9Dual-core 1.84 GHz Twister
Battery
16241624
Full comparison
Same category

Alternatives worth a look

Other phones in the database, with their stored scores and prices.

All iphones →
iPhone SE—
AppleiPhone SE4" (102 mm) · Dual-core 1.84 GHz Twister · 2 GB
iPhone SE (3rd generation)—
AppleiPhone SE (3rd generation)4.7" (119 mm) · A15 Bionic
iPhone SE (2nd generation)—
AppleiPhone SE (2nd generation)4.7" (119 mm) · A13 Bionic
—
AppleiPhone 84.7" (119 mm) · Hexa-core (2x Monsoon + 4x Mistral) · 2 GB
Product data

Full specifications

53 attributes, grouped for quick scanning. Spot a wrong value? Hit the next to it.

Display

Display type
LCD

Main camera

Modules
- 12-megapixel camera - ƒ/2.2 aperture - Five-element lens - 5x digital zoom - Live Photos with stabilization - Local tone mapping - Face detection - True Tone flash - Sapphire crystal lens cover - Backside illumination sensor
Video
Features
4K video recording at 30 fps · 1080p HD video recording at 30 fps or 60 fps · 720p HD video recording at 30 fps · 3x digital zoom · True Tone flash · Cinematic video stabilization (1080p and 720p)

Network

SIM
  • Nano-SIM iPhone SE is not compatible with existing micro‑SIM cards.
  • Nano-SIM
  • iPhone SE is not compatible with existing micro‑SIM cards.

Connectivity

Wi-Fi
Wi-Fi
Bluetooth
Bluetooth 4.2

Sensors & Security

Proximity sensor
✓
Other sensors
  • Touch ID fingerprint sensor
  • Three‑axis gyro
  • Accelerometer
  • Proximity sensor
  • Ambient light sensor
  • Touch ID fingerprint sensor
  • Three‑axis gyro
  • Accelerometer
  • Proximity sensor
  • Ambient light sensor

Body

Dimensions
  • height: 4.87 inches (123.8 mm)
  • width: 2.31 inches (58.6 mm)
  • depth: 0.30 inch (7.6 mm)

Launch & Software

Operating system
  • iOS 11
  • With new features and capabilities that let you get more done quickly and easily
  • iOS 11 makes iPhone more powerful
  • personal
  • and intelligent than ever.
  • See what s new in iOS 11
In the box
  • iPhone with iOS 11
  • EarPods with 3.5 mm Headphone Plug
  • Lightning to USB Cable
  • USB Power Adapter
  • Documentation
  • iPhone with iOS 11
  • EarPods with 3.5 mm Headphone Plug
  • Lightning to USB Cable
  • USB Power Adapter
  • Documentation
Vote & discuss

Community says

No reader votes on the iPhone SE (1st generation) yet. Votes happen on head-to-heads: pick a matchup and say which one you would buy.

Reviewed this gadget on your site or channel? Submit your review →

iPhone SE (1st generation)No store price yetSpecs