The iPhone SE debuted in 2016, followed by 2020 and 2022 models; the newest SE is about 4 years old in August 2026.
A Home button and compact body can hide a surprisingly large age gap. The age question has three answers, so knowing how old an iPhone SE is starts with the generation in your hand.
Apple introduced iPhone SE generations in 2016, 2020, and 2022. As of August 10, 2026, those three versions are roughly 10 years 4 months, 6 years 3 months, and 4 years 4 months old, respectively.
How Old Is Each iPhone SE Generation?
As of August 10, 2026, the first-generation iPhone SE is about 10 years 4 months old, the second generation is about 6 years 3 months old, and the third generation is about 4 years 4 months old. The release date, not the day a particular handset was purchased, sets its hardware age.
- Original iPhone SE: The 2016 generation uses an A9 chip, a 4-inch display, Touch ID, and capacities from 16 GB through 128 GB.
- iPhone SE (2nd generation): The 2020 generation uses a 4.7-inch display, A13 Bionic chip, Touch ID, and capacities from 64 GB through 256 GB.
- iPhone SE (3rd generation): The 2022 generation keeps the 4.7-inch Touch ID design, moves to A15 Bionic, and adds 5G cellular support.
iPhone SE Age By Generation: What Changed
The biggest visual divide sits between the original SE and the two later versions. The 2016 phone has a 4-inch display, an aluminum back, and its Sleep/Wake button on top; the 2020 and 2022 models have 4.7-inch displays, glass backs, and side buttons.
The second and third generations can be hard to separate from the front because both use the same basic 4.7-inch Touch ID layout. The 2020 model has the A13 Bionic chip, while the 2022 model has A15 Bionic and 5G. Those internal differences make the model number more useful than appearance when dating the phone.
Storage capacity is a weak age clue because 64 GB and 128 GB versions appear in more than one SE generation. The A-number gives a much firmer identification.
| Generation | Fact | Value |
|---|---|---|
| 1st generation | US release | March 31, 2016 |
| 1st generation | Age on Aug. 10, 2026 | About 10 years 4 months |
| 1st generation | Chip | Apple A9 |
| 1st generation | Display | 4.0 inches |
| 2nd generation | US release | April 24, 2020 |
| 2nd generation | Age on Aug. 10, 2026 | About 6 years 3 months |
| 2nd generation | Chip | Apple A13 Bionic |
| 2nd generation | Display | 4.7 inches |
| 3rd generation | US release | March 18, 2022 |
| 3rd generation | Age on Aug. 10, 2026 | About 4 years 4 months |
| 3rd generation | Chip | Apple A15 Bionic |
| 3rd generation | Display | 4.7 inches |
Which iPhone SE Do You Have?
The A-number is the most reliable way to identify an iPhone SE generation. Apple’s current identification data assigns a distinct set of A-numbers to each SE generation, so matching that code settles whether the phone is from 2016, 2020, or 2022.
Apple’s model-number instructions give the current menu sequence: open Settings, tap General, then About. To the right of Model Number you will first see the part number; tap that part number to reveal the A-number. You’ll know it worked when the field shows an A followed by four digits.
The original 2016 SE also has its model number on the back cover. Match the number as follows:
- 1st generation: A1723, A1662, or A1724.
- 2nd generation: A2275, A2296, or A2298.
- 3rd generation: A2595, A2782, A2783, A2784, or A2785.
Software Support Shows The Age Difference
Software support separates the three SE generations more sharply than their shared name does. Apple’s two later SE models remain on the current major-iOS branch, while the 2016 first-generation SE does not.
| Generation | Current Software Position | 2026 Takeaway |
|---|---|---|
| 1st generation | iOS 15 security branch | Legacy hardware; app support is the main limit |
| 2nd generation | Compatible with iOS 26 | Still usable with current iOS; LTE only |
| 3rd generation | Compatible with iOS 26 | Newest SE; A15 Bionic and 5G |
The original SE still received an older-branch security release in 2026. Apple issued iOS 15.8.8 for the first-generation iPhone SE on May 11, 2026. New major iOS features are no longer coming to that model, and app availability can narrow as developers raise their minimum iOS requirements.
The 2020 and 2022 models remain easier to use with current apps because both are listed for iOS 26. The 2022 SE also adds 5G, while the 2020 SE remains an LTE model.
What The iPhone SE Age Means In 2026
The third-generation iPhone SE is the least dated SE for regular use, while the original model now fits narrower needs. Apple’s current US iPhone lineup no longer includes an SE-branded model; iPhone 17e is the lower-priced model in the current iPhone 17 family.
- Choose the 2016 SE only for a specific legacy need: its 4-inch body is distinctive, but it is limited to the older iOS 15 branch and may lose access to newer app versions.
- The 2020 SE still has current major-iOS support: it can run iOS 26, but it lacks 5G and is already more than six years old.
- The 2022 SE is the least dated SE of the trio: it pairs iOS 26 support with A15 Bionic and 5G while keeping Touch ID.
For an age check, match the phone’s A-number first, then use the release year. A third-generation SE is a 2022 model, a second-generation SE is a 2020 model, and the original SE is a 2016 model.
References & Sources
Apple Support – Find the model number of your iPhone – Official steps for locating and revealing an iPhone model number.