Apple Discontinues the Original iPhone SE, Fans Express Outrage

Apple enthusiasts are expressing their frustration after the company has officially added the original iPhone SE to its list of discontinued devices.

This means the phone is no longer eligible for repairs at Apple Stores or authorized service centers.

Launched in 2016, alongside the iPhone 7, the iPhone SE was seen as Apple’s first affordable smartphone, originally costing $399. In contrast, the starting price for the latest iPhone 17 is a hefty $799.

The iPhone SE showcased features from the iPhone 5, including a 4-inch display, a Touch ID home button, and a sleek aluminum and glass body. Moreover, it packed the A9 chipset, which provided faster performance compared to many compact phones available at the time, and it boasted enhanced battery life, double the processing speed, and superior graphics compared to the iPhone 5.

Sadly, it’s noteworthy that the device became obsolete as per Apple’s policy after being out of circulation for over seven years. Products that have been sold for more than seven years are designated as obsolete, meaning they’re no longer supported. On the other hand, devices that have been in the market for about five years are classified as vintage.

If the iPhone SE fails, Apple has no obligation to provide repairs, rendering it just a relic from the past. The company has ceased all servicing for older products, and parts cannot be ordered by service providers for them.

This decision has not sat well with loyal users of the iPhone SE. One disgruntled fan passionately declared, “They’ll pry my 2016 iPhone SE out of my cold, dead hands.” Another chimed in, expressing satisfaction with their device by stating, “I don’t change it unless forced to. My SE works fine.”

Many users have expressed concerns, accusing Apple of deliberately phasing out products too early to boost profits. As one engineer put it, “There’s endless pressure to spend more money. Digital obsolescence is planned, and there’s nothing wrong with that generation of mobile phones.”

Since then, Apple has released the 2nd and 3rd generation iPhone SE models in April 2020 and March 2022, which bear resemblance to the iPhone 8.

At this point, the iPhone SE has been fully phased out following the launch of the newer iPhone 16e.

It now joins a growing list of Apple products that have been rendered obsolete, including recent additions like the iPad Pro 12.9-inch (2nd generation) and specific Hermès and Nike models of the Apple Watch Series 4.