iPhone SE (1st generation)
Our verdict
Repurpose it.
Its update days are over. Its useful days aren’t.
I
Give it a job
A dedicated dash cam, baby monitor, webcam, or music remote.
II
Keep it off the open web
Without security updates, treat it as a single-purpose appliance rather than a daily browser.
III
Or let it go
Apple no longer services this model, but Apple Stores still take it for free recycling. Working units are worth more sold than scrapped.
ObsoleteTops out at iOS 15.8.4.
Where to sell it
The record
Introduced
2016
Model identifier
iPhone8,4
Chip
Apple A9
Architecture
64-bit ARM
Latest official release
iOS 15.8.4
With OpenCore Patcher
Not applicable
Security updates
Ended — iOS 15 received its final security update in 2025 (last release 15.8.4).
Apple hardware status
Obsolete — no longer serviced
Data confidence
high
Common questions
What is the newest iOS for the iPhone SE (1st generation)?
The iPhone SE (1st generation) officially tops out at iOS 15.8.4.
Is the iPhone SE (1st generation) still getting security updates?
No. Ended — iOS 15 received its final security update in 2025 (last release 15.8.4).
Is the iPhone SE (1st generation) vintage or obsolete?
Apple classifies it as obsolete: no more parts, no more service. Apple Stores will still recycle it for free.
The fine print
a
apple_device_models_2013_present.csv says obsolete · task1_models.csv says vintage. We use: obsolete.
Same shelf