Yes! The iPhone SE (2nd Gen) has become one of the best budget iPhones to buy in 2026. In fact, we've changed our recommendation from No to Yes because two major updates happened recently this year.
In this guide, we'll explain why our opinion has changed and help you decide whether the iPhone SE (2nd Gen) or iPhone SE (3rd Gen) is the better Certified Used / Refurbished iPhone for your budget.
The iPhone SE (2nd Gen) is now one of the best Certified Used / Refurbished iPhones you can buy for under $100.
| Model | Starting Certified Used / Refurbished Price* | Software Support | Recommendation |
|---|---|---|---|
| iPhone SE (2nd Gen) | $90+ | Supports iOS 27 | ⭐ Best Value Under $100 |
| iPhone SE (3rd Gen) | $120+ | Supports iOS 27 | ⭐ Best Overall Choice |
*Prices are based on the UpTrade Price Tracker and may vary depending on storage capacity, condition, color, and seller.
The biggest reason we've changed our recommendation is the recent price drop. According to the UpTrade Price Tracker, Certified Used / Refurbished iPhone SE (2nd Gen) models have dropped from around $120+ to just $90+.
This is the first time the iPhone SE (2nd Gen) has been widely available for under $100. At this price, it becomes one of the best values in Apple's lineup and one of the most affordable Certified Used / Refurbished iPhones you can buy.
When the starting price was around $120+, most buyers were better off spending a little more for the iPhone SE (3rd Gen), which adds 5G and the faster A15 Bionic chip. However, with a roughly $30 price gap, the iPhone SE (2nd Gen) now appeals to a much larger group of budget-conscious shoppers.
If your budget is under $100, there's currently no better Certified Used / Refurbished iPhone value than the iPhone SE (2nd Gen).
The second surprise came in June 2026, when Apple announced that the iPhone SE (2nd Gen) supports iOS 27. Before the announcement, many people—including us—expected Apple to end software support with iOS 26.
Instead, Apple extended support for another year, giving the iPhone SE (2nd Gen) access to the latest iOS features, security updates, and improved app compatibility throughout 2027.
This additional year of software support significantly changes the phone's value. Buying a Certified Used / Refurbished iPhone isn't just about today's performance—it's also about how long the phone will remain useful. With support for iOS 27, the iPhone SE (2nd Gen) has a much longer lifespan than previously expected.
When you combine this unexpected software support with the recent price drop below $100, it's easy to see why we've changed our recommendation. The iPhone SE (2nd Gen) has gone from a model we couldn't recommend to one of the best budget iPhones you can buy in 2026.
The iPhone SE (2nd Gen) has become one of the biggest surprises of 2026. Thanks to its recent price drop and continued software support, it has gone from a phone we couldn't recommend to one of the best budget iPhones you can buy.
At around $90+, it's one of the most affordable Certified Used / Refurbished iPhones that still supports the latest iOS. If you're looking for a reliable iPhone under $100, it's difficult to find a better option.
According to the UpTrade Price Tracker, Certified Used / Refurbished iPhone SE (2nd Gen) models now start at around $90+. That's down from approximately $120+ just a few months ago and marks the first time the model has been widely available for under $100.
This price drop significantly improves its value. At $90+, the iPhone SE (2nd Gen) costs less than many older iPhones while offering much newer hardware and software support.
One of the biggest reasons to buy the iPhone SE (2nd Gen) is its software support. When Apple announced iOS 27 in June 2026, the iPhone SE (2nd Gen) was included on the supported device list.
This means you'll continue receiving the latest iOS features, security updates, and app compatibility throughout 2027. Very few iPhones under $100 can offer that level of long-term support.
The iPhone SE (2nd Gen) is powered by Apple's A13 Bionic chip—the same processor used in the iPhone 11. Even in 2026, it delivers smooth performance for everyday tasks like messaging, web browsing, social media, streaming, and most mobile games.
While it isn't as fast as newer iPhones, the A13 remains more than capable for the average user and should continue performing well for years.
The phone features a single 12MP rear camera and a 7MP front camera. Although it doesn't include multiple camera lenses, Apple's image processing allows it to capture sharp photos with accurate colors in good lighting.
For casual photography, video calls, and social media, the camera still performs well and is more than adequate for most users.
Battery life is another advantage of buying a Certified Used / Refurbished iPhone SE (2nd Gen) from a trusted professional reseller. These devices are professionally inspected and tested, giving you much greater confidence than buying from an individual seller.
While battery life won't match a brand-new iPhone, it's more than sufficient for everyday use, especially considering the phone's affordable starting price.
Both the iPhone SE (2nd Gen) and iPhone SE (3rd Gen) are excellent Certified Used / Refurbished iPhones in 2026. They share the same compact design, 4.7-inch Retina HD display, Home Button, and Touch ID, but there are several important differences that may influence your buying decision.
The biggest differences are the price, processor, and 5G support. With the recent price drop, the iPhone SE (2nd Gen) has become one of the best budget iPhones available, while the iPhone SE (3rd Gen) remains the better long-term choice if you can spend about $30 more.
| Specification | iPhone SE (2nd Gen) | iPhone SE (3rd Gen) |
|---|---|---|
| Release Year | 2020 | 2022 |
| Starting Certified Used / Refurbished Price | $90+ | $120+ |
| Processor | A13 Bionic | A15 Bionic |
| Latest Supported iOS | iOS 27 | iOS 27 |
| 5G | No | Yes |
| Display | 4.7-inch Retina HD | 4.7-inch Retina HD |
| Main Camera | 12MP | 12MP |
| Front Camera | 7MP | 7MP |
| Home Button / Touch ID | Yes | Yes |
| Wireless Charging | Yes | Yes |
| Recommendation | ⭐ Best Value Under $100 | ⭐ Best Overall Choice |
The biggest advantage of the iPhone SE (2nd Gen) is its price. According to the UpTrade Price Tracker, Certified Used / Refurbished models recently dropped from around $120+ to just $90+, making it the first time this model has been widely available for under $100.
The iPhone SE (3rd Gen) starts at around $120+. While it costs about $30 more, it also includes several hardware improvements that may justify the extra investment.
The iPhone SE (2nd Gen) uses Apple's A13 Bionic chip, while the iPhone SE (3rd Gen) features the newer A15 Bionic processor.
For everyday activities like web browsing, social media, messaging, and streaming, both phones perform very well. However, the A15 provides faster app launches, smoother gaming, and better long-term performance as future apps become more demanding.
This is the most significant hardware upgrade.
The iPhone SE (2nd Gen) only supports 4G LTE, while the iPhone SE (3rd Gen) adds 5G. If you plan to keep your phone for several more years or live in an area with strong 5G coverage, the newer model is the better long-term investment.
If you're happy with 4G LTE and mainly use Wi-Fi at home or work, the iPhone SE (2nd Gen) still offers excellent value.
One of the biggest surprises of 2026 is that both models support iOS 27. Apple extended software support for the iPhone SE (2nd Gen), allowing it to stay on the latest iOS alongside the newer iPhone SE (3rd Gen).
For many buyers, this removes one of the biggest reasons to skip the older model. Both phones should continue receiving the latest features, security updates, and app compatibility throughout 2027.
If your budget is under $100, the iPhone SE (2nd Gen) is one of the best Certified Used / Refurbished iPhones available today. Its recent price drop and support for iOS 27 make it an outstanding value.
If you can spend about $30 more, the iPhone SE (3rd Gen) is still the better long-term choice thanks to its A15 Bionic chip and 5G connectivity. It's our overall recommendation for buyers who want to keep their iPhone for as long as possible.
Just a few months ago, we didn't recommend buying the iPhone SE (2nd Gen). However, two major developments in 2026 completely changed our opinion.
First, according to the UpTrade Price Tracker, the starting price for a Certified Used / Refurbished iPhone SE (2nd Gen) dropped from around $120+ to just $90+. This is the first time the model has been widely available for under $100, making it one of the best budget iPhones on the market.
Second, Apple surprised everyone by including the iPhone SE (2nd Gen) in the list of devices that support iOS 27. That means it continues to receive the latest iOS features, security updates, and app compatibility throughout 2027, giving buyers much better long-term value than expected.
If your budget is under $100, we now confidently recommend the iPhone SE (2nd Gen). It's an excellent choice for students, kids, seniors, or anyone looking for an affordable, reliable iPhone.
If you can spend about $30 more, the iPhone SE (3rd Gen) remains our overall recommendation thanks to its faster A15 Bionic chip and 5G support. Either way, both models offer outstanding value when purchased as a Certified Used / Refurbished device from a trusted professional reseller.
Yes. Thanks to its recent price drop to around $90+ and continued support for iOS 27, the iPhone SE (2nd Gen) is now one of the best Certified Used / Refurbished iPhones you can buy for under $100.
According to the UpTrade Price Tracker, Certified Used / Refurbished iPhone SE (2nd Gen) models now start at approximately $90+, depending on storage capacity, condition, and seller.
Yes. Apple confirmed that the iPhone SE (2nd Gen) supports iOS 27, allowing it to receive the latest features, security updates, and improved app compatibility throughout 2027.
If your budget is under $100, the iPhone SE (2nd Gen) offers outstanding value. If you can spend around $120+, the iPhone SE (3rd Gen) is the better long-term choice thanks to its A15 Bionic chip and 5G support.
No. The iPhone SE (2nd Gen) only supports 4G LTE. If 5G connectivity is important to you, consider the iPhone SE (3rd Gen), which starts at around $120+.
Yes. Powered by Apple's A13 Bionic chip, the iPhone SE (2nd Gen) still delivers smooth performance for everyday tasks such as messaging, social media, web browsing, streaming, and most mobile games.
Yes. Its compact size, Home Button with Touch ID, simple interface, and affordable price make it an excellent choice for kids, seniors, or anyone who prefers a smaller iPhone.
The iPhone SE (2nd Gen) supports iOS 27, which means it will continue receiving Apple's latest software throughout 2027. Apple may also provide additional security updates after major iOS support ends.
Yes. Buying a Certified Used / Refurbished device from a trusted professional reseller provides greater peace of mind because the phone has been professionally inspected, tested, and backed by a warranty.
You can use UpTrade to compare prices from trusted Certified Professional Resellers, helping you find the best deal on a Certified Used / Refurbished iPhone SE (2nd Gen) with confidence.
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