iPhone SE (2016)
The original compact iPhone SE — 4-inch, A9 chip, fingerprint.
The iPhone SE (2016) is a mid Apple smartphone released Mar 2016, with a launch price of $399. It pairs the Apple A9 with a 4.0" Retina LCD display, a 12 MP · f/2.2 main camera and a 1,624 mAh battery. In SpecEagle's editorial review it scores 62/100 — The original compact iPhone. Standout strengths: ultra-compact 4-inch / 113 g. and a9 chip + 4k ois. Main trade-off: tiny battery.
The original compact iPhone.
The 2016 SE packed the A9 chip and 4K OIS camera into a 4-inch 113 g body for $399. The template for every budget iPhone since.
Read the full review- Ultra-compact 4-inch / 113 g.
- A9 chip + 4K OIS.
- Touch ID + headphone jack.
- Iconic design.
Full specifications
Benchmarks
How the iPhone SE (2016) compares
| iPhone SE (2016) | Galaxy S25 Ultra | iPhone SE (2nd gen) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| SpecEagle score | 62 | 89 | 62 |
| Chipset | Apple A9 | SD 8 Elite | Apple A13 Bionic |
| Display | 4.0" Retina LCD | 6.9" LTPO AMOLED | 4.7" LCD 60 Hz |
| Main camera | 12 MP · f/2.2 | 200 MP · f/1.7 | 12 MP · f/1.8 |
| Battery | 1,624 mAh | 5,000 mAh | 1,821 mAh |
| Launch price | $399 | $1,299 | $399 |
Frequently asked questions
When was the iPhone SE (2016) released?
The iPhone SE (2016) was released in Mar 2016.
How much does the iPhone SE (2016) cost?
The iPhone SE (2016) launched at $399 (manufacturer suggested price at release; street and second-hand prices vary by region, storage tier and time since launch).
What is the iPhone SE (2016) screen size and type?
The iPhone SE (2016) has a 4.0" Retina LCD display.
What chipset does the iPhone SE (2016) use?
The iPhone SE (2016) is powered by the Apple A9 chipset.
How much RAM and storage does the iPhone SE (2016) have?
The iPhone SE (2016) ships with 2 GB · 16 GB (RAM · base storage); higher configurations may be available.
What is the iPhone SE (2016) battery capacity?
The iPhone SE (2016) has a 1,624 mAh battery.
How fast does the iPhone SE (2016) charge?
The iPhone SE (2016) supports 5 W Lightning wired charging.
What is the iPhone SE (2016) main camera?
The iPhone SE (2016) has a 12 MP · f/2.2 main camera.
Does the iPhone SE (2016) have 5G?
The iPhone SE (2016) does not support 5G (4G LTE only).
How much does the iPhone SE (2016) weigh?
The iPhone SE (2016) weighs 113 g.
What colours does the iPhone SE (2016) come in?
The iPhone SE (2016) is available in 3 colours: Space Gray, Silver, Gold.
Is the iPhone SE (2016) worth buying?
The 2016 SE packed the A9 chip and 4K OIS camera into a 4-inch 113 g body for $399. The template for every budget iPhone since. SpecEagle gives the iPhone SE (2016) an editorial score of 62/100.
Owner opinions
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