The time has come: the 2026 iPhone SE is now considered obsolete by Apple. The fact is, the iPhone SE lost official support and was declared obsolete, but there are still about 10 tricks you can use to give a second life to a phone that has generated a lot of buzz. The truth is, an iPhone can fall into three categories: those that are still repaired and/or updated, vintage models, and those considered obsolete.
This announcement marks the end of an era for a model that became the budget-friendly option in the Apple catalog
Labeling a mobile phone as obsolete is not the same as it was five years ago. Technology advances so rapidly that the guidelines are constantly changing. To be considered obsolete, it’s not simply a matter of it ceasing to be sold or whether or not it’s updated to the latest operating system versions, although updates to recent versions are generally no longer common, even if some do receive security patches. This announcement marks the end of an era for a model that became the budget-friendly option in the Apple catalog.
With this announcement, the company confirms that the device will no longer receive official technical support or repairs, except in cases where an extended warranty is still in effect. The decision to declare it obsolete is not only based on its age, but also on its compatibility with recent iOS versions. Vintage iPhones are those that Apple stopped selling in its stores more than five years but less than seven years ago. Some of these vintage iPhones have continued to receive iOS updates and can still be repaired if parts are still available.
Remember that the iPhone SE has a good camera for taking photos and recording video, which still offers more than acceptable results
In any case, users who still own an iPhone SE can, for example, use it as an emergency phone, travel device, or media player, reducing wear and tear on their main phone. While it may not be able to run the latest software updates or the best cameras on the market, if it’s not broken, it can be very useful for all sorts of purposes.
For those who only use WhatsApp, calls, messages, or YouTube, an SE works perfectly. It can be ideal for children or seniors. Furthermore, let’s remember that the iPhone SE has a good camera for taking photos and recording video, which, although not as sharp as current models, still offers more than acceptable results. It can also be used with apps like Alfred or Athome Camera Pro, allowing you to turn the SE into a security camera or monitor for pets and children. The SE’s features can be put to good use; after all, it’s a smartphone with advanced technology.
You can continue using them as long as you keep in mind that they won’t be able to receive updates
In fact, it can also be used as a GPS navigator in the car with apps like Apple Maps, Google Maps, or Waze, which continue to work on older devices. Furthermore, if the Siri Remote is lost or malfunctions, the SE can be used as an alternative remote and easily located using the Find My app. It can also be used as an emergency backup device if your current phone fails, is lost, or is stolen; it also provides extra storage. Files, photos, or videos can be transferred via AirDrop, turning it into a kind of “USB drive” to free up space on your main phone.
In short, Apple is discontinuing the iPhone SE, but if users still have them working and in good condition, they can continue using them as long as they keep in mind that they won’t be able to receive updates. However, it’s worth remembering that, regarding updates, we have an example of this: the release of iOS 12.5.7 for devices that, like the iPhone 5s, were already several years old.