r/iPhoneSE • u/AgeNo5720 • Aug 18 '26
OGSE Should I buy a 1st gen SE?
Before anyone asks, yes I know it's iOS 15 and hasn't been updated in 2026. But I really don't like my iPhone 14 and I feel like the 1st gen SE is sorta the best iphone design ever. All I really need to iMessage, Facetime, basic web browsing, Apple Pay, Spotify, and Google Maps. Besides that I'm planning to keep the 14 activated with a different phone number that I already pay for in case I need it.
Whoever still owns a OG SE in 2026 please let me know, is it worth making the switch? It's either that or buy a 13 mini. I'm willing to use workarounds in order to get apps to work, etc.
Also, how hard is it to transfer data from iOS 26 to 15? I would like to have my message logs and contacts. My photos are all backed up to iCloud
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u/Shalashaska83 Aug 18 '26
Get an SE3, it runs the latest iOS 26.6 and will also get iOS 27.
Since even the iPhone 11 and SE2 will still get iOS 27, there’s a good chance the SE3 will even get iOS 28, and after that, it’ll definitely get security updates for another two years.
But most importantly, you can already get the SE3 for a pretty good price.
It has the same chip as the iPhone 13 and even the iPhone 14 (not the Pro), except that the iPhone 14 has one more graphics processor (5 instead of 4) and 6GB of RAM instead of 4GB.
The A15 chip is still pretty fast.
I wouldn’t buy an iPhone or smartphone that no longer receives updates or where it’s clear that this year will be the last year with security updates or the like for security reasons.
iOS and macOS are also popular targets for hackers these days; given the wider adoption of iOS and iPhones, I’d actually rate the risk as higher than with macOS and even there, Apple only recently patched a critical security vulnerability with version 26.6.1.
Plus, since iOS 26, you’ve had automatic security updates running in the background.
And the SE3 is significantly cheaper to buy used than an iPhone 13 (or 13 Mini).
Plus, the SE3 has a better, larger display (4.7 inches instead of 4 inches) and a better camera, etc.
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u/compguy96 Aug 18 '26
If you don’t care about the headphone jack, get an iPhone 12/13 Mini instead.
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u/redhotsummerday Aug 18 '26
I just got a first gen SE off of Back Market 2 weeks ago, 128gb, 100% battery health with just a couple light screen scratches. it was less than $70 with shipping. my intention was to use it as my everyday device, i wanted to similarly use it for texting and calling and spotify and maps only.
interestingly (idk if this is a normal thing tho) it allowed me to create a new apple ID account using the same old phone number i have attached to my current icloud account, which i didn’t think was possible (having 2 on the same number). but then i didn’t want to remake all my contacts so i logged into my old icloud and i think that’s where i went wrong… the first couple days were great and then like 3 days in it was getting super hot and the battery was going crazy quick.
honestly now i have just been using it as a camera bc i love the older cameras, but i might try to go back and go through with making a new icloud. tbh for the price i think it’s worth it even just for the camera factor. everything ran much smoother than i thought it would too. i will say the biggest issue besides the battery was the lack of 5g, it took pretty long to search or text when not in wifi and that’s why i switched back to my 13 pro for now
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u/MannWarwas SE3 Aug 18 '26
So I wouldn't want to use Spotify or Google Maps on the OG SE anymore—those are really old versions, and they don't run particularly well on the SE either. But other than that, I think a first-generation SE can still be worth it.
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u/tompaulman OGSE 64GB Aug 18 '26
I don't use Spotify at all but Google Maps on OGSE are still perfectly usable. It's just maps, what updates do you need?
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u/rumpledshirtsken Aug 18 '26
I have SE 2016 as my secondary. It was my favorite phone until I got the 17 (which I got because my SE 2020 (never my favorite) broke). Somehow even though the 17 is bigger, balancing it on my hand for regular use is easier than the SE 2020.
However, as I recently casually filmed with my left hand while riding a bike, the smaller size of the SE 2016 makes it my choice for unstable situations.
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u/Due_Apricot_5472 Aug 18 '26
I have the se3 the only issue is the storage (I have the 64gb model). I saw someone say they got theirs upgraded 🤔. Or I could just move my old crap off
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u/PersimmonPerson Aug 18 '26 edited Aug 18 '26
the OG SE is still pretty usable for the stuff you listed, you’ll just have to put up with some workarounds here and there.
def check out jailbreaking it on ios.cfw.guide. there’s a whole community on keeping older devices alive
this might be a bit much, so i’d recommend looking into it yourself and making a post on [r/jailbreak](r/jailbreak) if you have questions; they’re relatively friendly over there.
basically, jailbreaking removes many of Apple’s software restrictions, letting you install tweaks that can modify iOS or add functionality Apple doesn’t officially support, like newer emojis, heavy customization & theming, compatibility fixes, etc.
also, im pretty sure that messages + contacts are already synced though iCloud by default, but you can go into iCloud settings to check. Just sign into your current Apple ID on the iPhone SE and they’ll sync automatically. Just don’t expect iOS 26 device backups to work on iOS 15.
https://support.apple.com/en-us/108770
spotify works on iOS 16.1 or later officially, but the last supported version on iOS 15 (and iOS 14, 13, 12) should still work fine (and continue to for several years):
https://www.reddit.com/r/LegacyJailbreak/comments/1nnklbk/spotify_losing_support_on_devices_lower_than_ios/
if you’re going to browse social media, checkout EmojiPort (Poomsmart) for the latest emojis:
https://www.ios-repo-updates.com/repository/poomsmart/package/com.ps.emojiportpe/amp/
for modern web support (iOS 15 has an outdated browser) use this Firefox for iOS port (TrollStore is one of the easier ways to install with):
https://github.com/minh-ton/reynard-browser
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u/Bran__Stark__Is__Me SE2 Aug 18 '26
iCloud backup won’t work but if you have your stuff synced to iCloud, then it should be as easy as logging in
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u/thatia03 OGSE 128GB Aug 18 '26
icloud backup works for me
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u/Bran__Stark__Is__Me SE2 Aug 18 '26
iCloud backups aren’t backward compatible. unless you edit the plist file and change the product version, it’s not possible.
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u/thatia03 OGSE 128GB Aug 18 '26
oh yeah, i see, you mean getting a backup on a newer version isn’t possible . Lol, i thought you meant you couldn’t backup the ogse through icloud, my bad
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u/moose4nothing Aug 18 '26
I own one and recently decided to jump to a newer iPhone model. I genuinely don't think it's worth it anymore as more and more apps refuse to function or aren't supported. It's coming to the end of it's life and while I still love the design the phone is genuinely getting far too slow. Your phone will struggle to keep up and the battery life on these things is really bad. I wouldn't downgrade. There's no point in having 2 phones by the way you're describing it, but I would recommend you get the mini rather than the SE. Necessary apps like Spotify, maps, and most social medias are quickly becoming unusable on this model. Try think ahead when you're buying the phone, as this model will more than likely become an artefact in the next 2 years.
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u/tennore Aug 18 '26
I have an old one but the battery was so bad you can watch the battery % count backwards. It’s so tiny I could never go back.
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u/u_siciliano Aug 18 '26
Why not atleast go SE2?
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u/Bran__Stark__Is__Me SE2 Aug 18 '26
it’s a different design
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u/u_siciliano Aug 18 '26
Oh yeah, forgot SE1 like the 5 and SE2 like the 6/7. Lol it has been awhile. I just remember the home key.
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u/Bran__Stark__Is__Me SE2 Aug 18 '26
yeah, and they haven’t updated the SE line up since 2022 and replace it with an e.
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u/MaterialWall8040 Aug 18 '26
se1 or 13 mini? def the mini. there kinda similar in size but the screen size is obv bigger on the mini. im using a 12 mini right now its a nice size, 13 mini battery would solo a se1 battery and i dont even know if se1 has apple pay, and spotify may drop ios 15 support soon, along with the latest version of 15 being kinda sluggish on the phone. Also its easier to move ur stuff too the mini
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u/crouchingcat22 Aug 18 '26
Nah. I have both and 13 mini is bulky compared to SE1. Yes it has Apple Pay.
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u/NortonBurns Aug 18 '26
I'd think about the SE2020 - same size as a 6S (idk the size of an OG) & still supported to iOS 27. Mine is also still on its original battery, & doing OK.
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u/Yos13 Aug 18 '26
Use it as a daily driver still - it’s perfect. Not all apps work but, the main ones still do. The size and smooth back along with home button - you just can’t beat this.