The iPhone SE 2022, also called the iPhone SE (3rd generation), is the last iPhone Apple made with a home button and Touch ID. Apple discontinued it in early 2025, but it still runs the current iOS and sells used for a fraction of any new iPhone. This guide covers what it costs on Swappa, how long it should keep getting updates, and when a different used iPhone is the better buy.
Quick Answer
Yes, for the right buyer. A used iPhone SE 2022 starts around $88 on Swappa, with 64GB models recently selling for about $120. It runs iOS 27 on the same A15 Bionic chip as the iPhone 13, so it has more software runway than anything else at its price. It is the pick for a first phone, a small phone with a home button, or a spare. If you use your phone hard all day, the small battery and single camera will frustrate you, and a used iPhone 13 is worth the extra money.
Shop Used iPhone SE 2022 on Swappa
iPhone SE 2022 Price on Swappa
Apple launched the iPhone SE 2022 in March 2022 at $429 for 64GB. Today the cheapest new iPhone, the iPhone 17e, costs $699 after Apple’s September 2026 price increase. That gap is why the SE is still one of the most popular budget iPhones on Swappa.
| Model | Released | Starts At | Avg. Sale Price | Runs iOS 27 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| iPhone SE (2nd gen) | 2020 | $76 | $84 (64GB) | Yes |
| iPhone SE 2022 (3rd gen) | 2022 | $88 | $120 (64GB) / $172 (128GB) | Yes |
| iPhone 12 | 2020 | $125 | $178 (128GB) | Yes |
| iPhone 13 | 2021 | $134 | $242 (128GB) | Yes |
| iPhone 13 mini | 2021 | $165 | $252 (128GB) | Yes |
| iPhone 16e | 2025 | $299 | $375 (128GB) | Yes |
Swappa price data as of September 23, 2026. “Starts at” is the lowest current listing; the average sale price is what that storage size has actually sold for. Prices move with condition, storage, carrier, and demand, so check the iPhone SE 2022 price page before you buy.
On storage: the 64GB model is the cheapest and the most common listing, but it fills up fast with photos and app updates. If you plan to keep the phone for years, the 128GB version is worth the extra. How Much Storage Do You Need on a Used Phone? goes deeper.
What You Get With the iPhone SE 2022
On the outside, the iPhone SE 2022 looks exactly like the iPhone 8 and the 2020 SE. Inside, it is a much more modern phone.
| iPhone SE 2022 (3rd gen) | |
|---|---|
| Chip | A15 Bionic, the same chip as the iPhone 13 |
| Display | 4.7″ Retina HD LCD |
| Unlock | Touch ID in the home button |
| Rear camera | Single 12MP wide |
| Front camera | 7MP |
| Cellular | 5G (sub-6GHz) |
| Battery (Apple rating) | Up to 15 hours of video playback |
| Charging | Lightning, fast charging with a 20W adapter, Qi wireless |
| Durability | IP67 water and dust resistance when new |
| SIM | Nano-SIM plus eSIM |
| Storage | 64GB, 128GB, 256GB |
| Colors | Midnight, Starlight, (PRODUCT)RED |
| Launch price | $429 (64GB), $479 (128GB), $529 (256GB) |
The trade-offs are just as clear. There is no Face ID, no Night mode, no ultra wide or telephoto lens, no MagSafe, and a small screen with large bezels by modern standards. The battery is the smallest in any recent iPhone, which matters more on a used phone that is three or four years old.
How Long Will the iPhone SE 2022 Get Updates?
The iPhone SE 2022 runs iOS 27, released September 14, 2026. Apple’s current list reaches back to the iPhone 11 and the iPhone SE (2nd generation), so the 2022 SE is comfortably inside it.
Apple does not announce end dates, but it tends to drop iPhones in groups by chip. The iPhone SE 2022 shares its A15 Bionic with the iPhone 13, so expect it to stay on the update list about as long as the iPhone 13 does, and longer than the iPhone 11, iPhone 12, and the 2020 SE. That makes it the cheapest iPhone with meaningful support runway left.
One limit: it does not support Apple Intelligence or the new Siri, which require newer hardware. For how long each brand supports its phones, see How Long Will a Used Phone Get Updates?
iPhone SE 2022 vs. iPhone SE (2nd Gen)
The two SE models look identical, so the older one can pass for a bargain. It usually is not.
- Chip: A15 Bionic versus A13 Bionic. The newer chip is faster and should keep the 2022 model on Apple’s update list for longer. The 2020 SE is one of the oldest iPhones still supported.
- 5G: the 2022 model has it. The 2020 model is LTE only.
- Battery: Apple rated the 2022 SE for up to 15 hours of video playback, versus 13 hours for the 2020 SE.
- Price: in recent Swappa sales, a 64GB 2022 SE averaged about $120, versus about $84 for a 64GB 2020 SE.
Pay the difference. The 2020 SE only makes sense as a spare phone or a device that never leaves Wi-Fi. If you are weighing one anyway, Is the iPhone SE 2020 Still Worth It in 2026? covers it in detail.
iPhone SE 2022 vs. iPhone 13, iPhone 12, and iPhone 16e
iPhone 13: the same A15 chip, but with a 6.1-inch OLED screen, Face ID, a dual camera with Night mode, MagSafe, and far better battery life. At 128GB it has averaged about $70 more than a 128GB SE in recent Swappa sales. For most adults, that is the better buy.
iPhone 12: about the same price as the SE at 128GB. The iPhone 12 gives you the bigger OLED screen, Face ID, and a dual camera. The SE gives you the newer chip, a home button, and a longer runway. See Is the iPhone 12 Still Worth It in 2026? for that side of the comparison.
iPhone 16e: the SE’s official replacement, with an A18 chip, Apple Intelligence, a 6.1-inch OLED screen, Face ID, USB-C, and much longer battery life. It also costs about $200 more used, and US models are eSIM-only. Buy it if you want years of runway and AI features. Buy the SE if the budget is firm.
iPhone 13 mini: the other small iPhone. It fits a 5.4-inch OLED screen into a body that is actually shorter and narrower than the SE, adds Face ID and a dual camera, and has averaged about $80 more at 128GB.
For every budget pick ranked side by side, see Best Cheap iPhones in 2026: Top Picks Under $300.
Who Should Buy an iPhone SE 2022
- A child’s first phone. It is inexpensive, small, and simple to use, with Touch ID and the full set of iOS parental controls. Best Used Phones for Kids and First-Time Owners compares the options.
- Anyone who wants a home button. Touch ID works while you are wearing a mask, and some people simply prefer a physical button. There will not be another iPhone like it.
- Small-phone fans on a budget. It fits in any pocket and works one-handed.
- A backup, work, or travel phone. Current iOS support at under $150 is hard to beat, and the nano-SIM tray makes swapping in a local or prepaid SIM easy.
Skip it if you take a lot of photos in low light, spend hours a day on your phone away from a charger, or want a larger screen for video and reading.
What to Check Before You Buy a Used iPhone SE 2022
- Battery health. With the smallest battery of any recent iPhone, this matters more than usual. Swappa has no minimum battery-health percentage to list, but iPhone sellers must disclose when health is below 80% and Apple’s battery message is showing. Favor listings with higher battery health, or budget roughly $50 to $100 for a replacement. See iPhone Battery Health: What to Check on a Used iPhone.
- Activation Lock. Make sure the phone is signed out of the previous owner’s Apple Account. iCloud Activation Lock: How to Avoid It on a Used iPhone explains the risk.
- IMEI and carrier status. A clean IMEI and an unlocked phone give you the most flexibility. See IMEI Check: What It Reveals About a Used Phone and Unlocked vs. Carrier-Locked Phones.
Real people approve Swappa listings before they go live, and phones need a clean IMEI or ESN, no Activation Lock, no cracked glass or water damage, and a fully functional battery. Payments run through PayPal with buyer protection, so if a phone arrives not as described, you are entitled to a refund.
Selling an Older iPhone SE?
If you are upgrading from an iPhone SE, sell it yourself rather than trading it in. A 64GB iPhone SE 2022 has recently sold for about $120 on Swappa, while trade-in quotes for an unlocked 64GB model sit around $48. How to Sell Your Used Phone for the Most Money covers the steps, or you can sell your iPhone on Swappa.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the iPhone SE 2022 still worth buying in 2026?
Yes, as a budget phone, a first phone, or a small phone with a home button. It runs iOS 27 on the A15 Bionic chip and starts around $88 on Swappa. Heavy users are better served by a used iPhone 13, which has a larger screen and much better battery life for about $70 more at 128GB.
How long will the iPhone SE 2022 get iOS updates?
Apple does not publish end dates, but the iPhone SE 2022 uses the same A15 Bionic chip as the iPhone 13, and Apple tends to drop phones by chip generation. Expect it to stay supported about as long as the iPhone 13, and longer than the iPhone 11, iPhone 12, and iPhone SE (2nd generation).
Is the iPhone SE 2022 the same as the iPhone SE 3rd generation?
Yes. Apple’s official name is iPhone SE (3rd generation). It is also called the iPhone SE 2022 or iPhone SE 3. It was released in March 2022 and discontinued in February 2025, when the iPhone 16e replaced it.
Does the iPhone SE 2022 have 5G?
Yes. The iPhone SE 2022 supports sub-6GHz 5G, which is the 5G most US carriers use for broad coverage. It does not support mmWave 5G. The 2020 iPhone SE is LTE only.
Is the iPhone SE 2022 good for kids?
It is one of the best first phones you can buy used. It is small, inexpensive, and simple, it uses Touch ID, and it supports all of Apple’s parental controls and Screen Time features. A case is a good idea, since the glass back can crack.
What replaced the iPhone SE?
The iPhone 16e replaced the iPhone SE in February 2025, and the iPhone 17e followed in 2026. Neither has a home button or Touch ID, which makes the iPhone SE 2022 the last iPhone with both.
The Bottom Line
The iPhone SE 2022 is still the cheapest way into an iPhone with real support runway, and the last one with a home button. Buy it for a kid, a spare, or a small-phone habit, check the battery health, and step up to a used iPhone 13 if you want a phone that keeps up with heavy daily use.
