The iPhone SE (2016) came out in 2016. The small first-generation SE still works as a phone, but it's stuck on iOS 15, the same as the iPhone 7.
The quick answer
- Calls and texts: yes, on all three networks
- Software: stuck on iOS 15
- No eSIM, no 5G, no T-Mobile Band 71
- Popular as a small phone; replace the battery
Calls and the 3G shutdown
The first iPhone SE supports VoLTE, so it kept working after the 3G shutdown, on AT&T, T-Mobile and Verizon networks.
The real limit: iOS 15
It stops at iOS 15. Some apps already need iOS 16 or later, and more will follow, so it's best as a second phone.
Coverage
It doesn't support Band 71, T-Mobile's long-range 600MHz signal, which T-Mobile and its MVNOs (Mint, Metro, Ultra) rely on in rural areas and inside buildings. On Verizon and AT&T, coverage is close to a newer phone's, but without 5G.
No eSIM
eSIM arrived on iPhone with the XS and XR in 2018. This phone only takes a physical SIM card, so check that your carrier still ships one. Most free carrier trials now run on eSIM, so you can't use them on this phone.
Who it still works for
People who want a genuinely small phone for calls, texts and maps. Its 4-inch screen is hard to find anywhere else. Don't confuse it with the 2020 or 2022 SE, which get newer software.
If you're replacing it
You don't need a new flagship. A recent iPhone 16e, or an Android phone like the moto g 2026 or Galaxy A17, will get years of updates, and several carriers give those away when you switch. Pair it with a low-cost plan: Mint Mobile is $15 a month for 6GB on a 12-month term, and Visible is $25 for unlimited with taxes included.
Current offers from Metro, T-Mobile, Verizon, AT&T and Xfinity.
See phone deals →Frequently asked questions
Does the 2016 iPhone SE still work? +
How do I tell the 2016 SE from the 2020 SE? +
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Jean Gilles has researched personal finance, consumer technology, and wireless pricing for over a decade. He founded ShopCellPlans in 2019 and writes every review on the site.