Apple has officially added the first-generation iPhone SE to its global list of obsolete products.
This move means the device, launched in 2016, will no longer qualify for repairs, component replacements, or any technical support at Apple Stores or authorized service centers.
According to Apple’s policy, a product is classified as obsolete seven years after the company ceases its distribution. The 2016 iPhone SE was discontinued in September 2018, and it has now surpassed this milestone, marking the end of its official lifecycle after nearly a decade.
The first-generation iPhone SE has been added to Apple’s obsolete products list.
Upon its debut in March 2016, the original iPhone SE garnered attention for its compact design, reminiscent of the iPhone 5s with a 4-inch display and the familiar Touch ID Home button, while housing the powerful A9 chip, the same as in the iPhone 6s/6s Plus.
This blend of a “classic” design and robust performance made it a favorite among users seeking a small, lightweight, and pocket-friendly device.
“Anyone who loves a compact phone will love the iPhone SE,” said Phil Schiller, then Apple’s Senior Vice President of Worldwide Marketing, during the product launch. His statement underscored the SE’s philosophy: maintaining a sleek design while delivering exceptional performance.
In 2020 and 2022, Apple introduced the second and third generations of the SE line, but neither matched the unique appeal of the 2016 model. By February 2025, the company officially discontinued the SE series, making way for the iPhone 16e, a strategic restructuring in the budget segment.
The first-generation iPhone SE’s addition to the obsolete list closes a brief yet memorable chapter for a device once hailed as the “affordable iPhone” for many first-time Apple ecosystem users.
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