iPhone SE (2016) Older IPhone SE 1st Generation Battery Replacement Options?

[whatnot]

How much did you pay for it? Where are you located? Do you know if it's a good battery they put or a not good battery?

it was like 30 euros or something, and it wasn't original as far as I know, but new, it doesn't drain in half an hour, so it's as 'good' as it gets.

I don't think Apple would have parts for 'obsolete' devices, you should check third party repair services.

I have to check which IOS I'm on with iPhone SE 1st Generation. I know it isn't the latest version though. So should I update it or not? Or just check what version it is first?

as far as I know, updates stopped at 15.8.5, and there might have been security patches since, you should get what's available.

 

[snow755]

This is my secondary phone. it isn't my primary phone. So that is why I don't want to buy a new iPhone yet. My current phone is fine except it needs a new battery as well.

for battery replacemt i would check out ebay for the 1st gen iphone SE but if you have a newer iphone you could still take your main iphone to apple for a replacement dont think they have the parts for the SE 1st gen how ever but you can try other wise i would check out my link if you want to take a risk has i think that may be the only place you be able to find battery replacements for the 1st gen iphone SE has all other place would be out of stock

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[rumourmonger]

I am someone who squeezed from that 12 Mini battery as much as I could and when the time came that the battery was painfully inadequate I switched to 14. I wasn't happy about it but there was no option. It was written on the wall that small phone is gone (even 13 mini was hard to find at that time where I live) - 3 years ago. Bought 14.

The thing is even the new 12 mini battery was not really "adequate" and if I have to carry a battery pack on me (as the iWorld folks like to say "but you can slap a pack on the back") or worry about finding a plug somewhere even for morning to evening, and not at all heavy, usage it is not worth keeping that phone.

So if 12 Mini's 100% battery was enough for you (it wasn't for me) or if cost is a concern then sure go ahead and find a new battery but the update concern is valid because on iOS very soon apps start ditching older versions because iOS's upgrade adoption is great (this is coming from a mobile tech lead who looks at these numbers for a living). But if your 12 Mini's new battery also left a lot to be desired (like it did for me) I'd really suggest you to just let go and buy either the 17 if cost is not an issue (again) because it is a really good base iPhone after many many years.

Or try your luck finding an unused iPhone 13 Mini somewhere - I hear (never used) its battery was considerably better than 12 Mini's - but OS version concern remains. Or better just switch to a cheaper Android unless you are tied to the Apple Ecosystem or want to be or have to be, either case is fine - there's no good or bad choice here. It's just whatever works for you.

(PS. I will also be open to moving back to Android to a phone that costs maybe 1/4th of the base iPhone or less if it feels right to me when it will be time to say toodles to 17. But I am in no hurry)

My final recommendation would be - what I did for myself - the base 17.

17 is a great phone for the cost and has a disgustingly large size (for any phone; not just a base phone) - I mean for someone who prefers normal sized phones and whose palm size, maybe due to sundry medical conditions - you know - because it seems everyone else's palms have been growing, hasn't kept up with ever increasing phone sizes. It is I believe still, if not the smallest, one of the smallest phones in the wretched world of smartphones. Also (and this is gonna be polarising) base 17 is the least ugly phone of the line up this year - of corse "IMHO".

 

[Andeddu]

I have to check which IOS I'm on with iPhone SE 1st Generation. I know it isn't the latest version though. So should I update it or not? Or just check what version it is first?


The thing is you would recommend to get a battery replacement or not? Thing is this isn't my primary phone and secondary. If it was primary, I buy a new phone.

No one can answer that question for you.

If your OGSE is just an emergency phone and isn’t used for anything else, you don’t need to update. I require full compatibility, or as best I can, with my OGSE so I have updated to iOS 15.8.

Again, with your battery replacement it’s up to you whether or not it’s worth it. If you don’t use your OGSE each day and it doesn’t do anything other than the odd phone call, is it worth $69 for a battery service? It was worth it for me.

 

[geta]

Should I update the OS to the newest version now or not on the iPhone SE?

Yes. No issues with the latest iOS. As for replacing the battery, I would do this as well, special if the apps you use supporting the latest iOS.

 

[winxmac]

If you are after the form factor, keep the iPhone SE 2016 and have the battery replaced. You can upgrade it to iOS 15.8.5 if you haven't.

If you are after the form factor but prefer a no home button version, purchase an iPhone 13 mini and have the battery replaced if needed. If you got one running iOS 18.x or anything older, then that's good. If it's already on iOS 26.x then just update to iOS 26.1 once it is available to the public.

 

[Love-hate 🍏 relationship]

I had mine replaced earlier this year by a third party, works like a charm at 85%, all considered.

re: iOS updates, if the apps you rely on continue to be supported on your current one, it's all that matters, personally I'd like a heads up before they stop, but I don't think that's likely, so will just have to wait and see.

so in 10 months it went down to 85% ?

 

[Francobarry]

The form factor of this iphone is what I like. The thing is it's a backup phone. So update it to the latest IOS then no matter what? I thought I read somewhere that said don't if you want a much worst battery. My battery is unusable though.


I like to know from anyone that has replaced the battery recently.

 

[Mrbobb]

I loved my SE1 but had to replace it in May of this year, there are a few apps that I need no longer available for update, but if you have no need for updated apps, you are good.

1. May wanna do a 2-cycle calibration, that may prolong a battery for a little longer, no guaranteed but the procedure is free, nothing to lose. 2-CYCLES CALIBRATION: keep the phone powered, play a video that repeats itself, so that the phone stays awake for the duration, let it run until the phone dies and turns off by itself. Then recharge the phone to 100%, and repeat the video one more time and recharge a second time.

2. I am an IT guy and electronics enthusiast and DO NOT recommend u DIY for the first timer, Apple really does its darnest to dissuade you from doing DIY.

3. Yeah, they may tell you too old, we don't carry the battery anymore, I don't know if it's worthwhile to mail it in.

4. U may try 3rd party, independent outfits but I don't trust 3rd party batteries to give me an accurate reading, if you are stickgrist about that. Best to let Apple give u an OEM battery.

 

[Francobarry]

I got another question on this. I believe I have an iphone 6s that I can use as well that someone else no longer use. I recall the battery is bad but not as bad as that. Would it be fine to use that as a backup phone then and forget about my iPhone SE 1st generation?


The thing is you should be able to download any apps from the app store as long as the iOS supports it right?

 

[erihp]

DIY is the way!
Backup your data first then if it all goes wrong you arent out a whole lot. and you might learn a new skill

 

[Francobarry]

So use icloud to do the backup? I want to backup my primary iphone as well though as I will do a battery replacement for it as well but would do that at Apple Store as my primary iphone still has battery replacement.


How do I do the backup though with 2 iphones then?

 

[BigBlur]

How do I do the backup though with 2 iphones then?

The backups are per device. You can have multiple device backups in your account.