iPhone SE (1st generation) was released on 31 March 2016, alongside 1 other product.
31 March 2016 · iPhone
iPhone SE (1st generation)
16 & 64 GB
Why it mattered
The SE was Apple's answer to customers who refused to go bigger: iPhone 6s internals in the 4-inch iPhone 5s design, at $399. It became a cult favourite and established the SE line.
Models and prices
| Model / config | Released | Key specs | US launch price | In 2025 dollars (estimate) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| iPhone SE 16 GB | 31 Mar 2016 | A9, 4-inch, Touch ID | $399 | ≈ $540 |
| iPhone SE 64 GB | 31 Mar 2016 | same | $499 | ≈ $670 |
Inflation-adjusted prices are estimates: launch price × (US CPI-U 2025 annual average 321.943 ÷ CPI-U annual average of the launch year), rounded to the nearest $10. Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, series CUUR0000SA0. US list prices only; they ignore currency, taxes and carrier subsidies.
What came before and after
Before: iPhone 5s (2013). After: iPhone SE (2nd generation), April 2020.
Buying and collecting notes
Popular as a small phone; check battery health and iOS support (ends at iOS 15).
Questions
- When was the first iPhone SE released?
- 31 March 2016.
- How much did it cost?
- $399 for 16 GB, about $540 in 2025 dollars by a US CPI estimate.
- What chip did it use?
- Apple A9.
- What replaced it?
- iPhone SE (2nd generation) in 2020.
Sources
- Wikipedia: iPhone SE (1st generation)
- EveryMac.com
- BLS CPI-U series CUUR0000SA0 (data.bls.gov/timeseries/CUUR0000SA0)