What are all the differences between the original iPhone SE models? How many models are there?

Please note that the original iPhone SE has been discontinued. However, this Q&A has been updated with the latest iOS support details and more. It is quite useful for anyone buying or selling the original iPhone SE on the used market.

If you expected to read a Q&A from EveryiPhone.com about color and capacity differences for the original iPhone SE, you might be surprised to learn that there actually are three distinct iPhone SE models. Each of these three models were issued in four colors and four capacities.

To make differentiation more straightforward, EveryiPhone.com more precisely refers to the three iPhone SE models -- SE stands for "Special Edition" -- as the iPhone SE (United States/A1662), iPhone SE (Global/Sprint/A1723), and iPhone SE (China Mobile/A1724).

Three different models is thankfully less complicated than the eight different iPhone 5s models that the iPhone SE replaced, but there still are important differences in terms of network support (as well as initial carrier distribution) that are important to understand. The iPhone SE models otherwise are identical, but evaluating the similarities between the models is useful, too.

Photo Credit: Apple, Inc. (iPhone SE, Rose Gold, Front, Side & Back)

External Similarities & Differences

All iPhone SE models share the same 4-inch multitouch IPS LED-backlit "Retina" display with 1136x640 resolution (326 ppi) and an 800:1 contrast ratio. They do not support 3D Touch.

All iPhone SE models also use a lightweight, largely aluminum, body design with thin "chamfered cut" sides with a matte finish. The entire front is glass, as is the top and bottom portions of the back, with the majority of the back made from aluminum like the sides. The iPhone SE is offered in four color options -- Silver, "Space Gray," Gold, and "Rose Gold."

Photo Credit: Apple, Inc. (iPhone SE Colors -- Gold, Silver, Rose Gold, & Space Gray)

The Space Gray option has a black glass front and a medium toned gunmetal gray colored aluminum back, whereas the other three options have a white glass front and an aluminum back colored in Silver, Gold, or a pink hued Rose Gold, respectively.

All iPhone SE models additionally have a first generation "Touch ID" fingerprint sensor embedded in the home button, a side-mounted Nano SIM access panel on the right side, a bottom-mounted headphone jack, microphone, and Lightning connector, as well as a single built-in speaker. They ship with "EarPod" headphones that include an integrated Remote and Mic, too.

Camera Similarities

Each iPhone SE model has dual cameras -- one on the front and another on the back.

The front "FaceTime HD" camera has meager specs -- an f/2.4 aperture and the ability to shoot 1.2 megapixel photos and 720p HD video.

The rear "iSight" camera is much more substantial. It has a 12 megapixel sensor, 1.22 micron pixels, and an f/2.2 aperture. It supports 4K video recording (3840x2160 at 30 fps as well as 1080p HD video at 30 fps or 60 fps or 720p HD video at 30 fps. It also can take 8 megapixel still photos while recording 4K video.

Identification Differences

Thankfully, all three of the iPhone SE models can be uniquely identified by Model Number, which is provided on the back of each phone in tiny type.

Initially, carrier support and distribution limited the number of different iPhone SE models that one is likely to encounter in any one location. In fact, nearly only those in the United States and China would potentially encounter two models with just about everyone else limited to just one.

However, it still will be important to be able to precisely identify each model as the iPhone SE finds its way around the globe into markets and carriers other than where it was sold originally.

Specifically, the three iPhone SE models have these model numbers:

iPhone SE	Model Number
United States (AT&T/T-Mobile/Verizon)	A1662
Global/Sprint	A1723
China Mobile	A1724

Individual configurations can be more precisely identified by Order Number -- which Apple refers to as the "Model" within the iOS -- or by its Serial Number listed in software.

To find the "Model" and Serial Number, touch the "Settings" icon on the homescreen and select General > About and then scroll until "Model" or "Serial Number" is visible. The "Model" identifier looks like MLXX2LL/A, which specifically refers to the Rose Gold configuration with 16 GB of storage sold in the United States for T-Mobile.

Once you have located the "Model" or the device serial number, EveryiPhone.com's Ultimate iLookup feature can identify it precisely.

Network Connectivity & Carrier Support Differences

All three iPhone SE devices, regardless of other network compatibility, support 802.11a/b/g/n/ac Wi-Fi, GSM/EDGE (850, 900, 1800, 1900 MHz), and UMTS/HSPA+/DC-HSDPA (850, 900, 1700/2100, 1900, 2100 MHz) as well as Bluetooth 4.2.

However, other supported cellular networks are quite different:

iPhone SE	Model Number	LTE	CDMA EV-DO	TD-SCDMA
United States (AT&T/T-Mobile/Verizon)	A1662	1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 8, 12, 13, 17, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 29	800, 1700/2100, 1900, 2100 MHz	None
Global/Sprint	A1723	1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 17, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 28, 38, 39, 40, 41	800, 1700/2100, 1900, 2100 MHz	1900 (F), 2000 (A)
China Mobile	A1724	1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 17, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 28, 38, 39, 40, 41	None	1900 (F), 2000 (A)

In particular, note that the A1662 iPhone SE model -- sold in the United States for AT&T, T-Mobile, and Verizon -- supports LTE bands 13 and 29, but not 7, 28, or the TD-LTE range (38, 39, 40, and 41) or TD-SCDMA.

The "Global" A1723 iPhone SE model -- sold around the world as well as on Sprint in the United States -- supports LTE bands 7, 28 and the TD-LTE range (38, 39, 40, and 41), as well as TD-SCDMA, but not LTE bands 13 or 29.

Finally, the A1724 iPhone SE model -- intended for use on China Mobile in mainland China -- supports the same LTE bands as the "Global" A1723 iPhone SE, but lacks CDMA EV-DO support.

United States Carrier Decisions

Even on the used market, for most American consumers -- who buy an iPhone for one carrier and rarely travel outside its network -- it is a simple decision based on carrier preference. Prefer AT&T, T-Mobile, or Verizon (or a smaller regional carrier)? Buy the A1662 iPhone SE model unique to the United States. Prefer Sprint? Buy the A1723 iPhone SE model sold both for Sprint and internationally.

For Americans who travel extensively, though, and who want to use their iPhone SE overseas (but buy the iPhone in the US), it is a more difficult decision.

The A1662 iPhone SE originally was the model available for purchase unlocked and contract free in the US. However, as well researched by PCMag, because this iPhone SE model lacks support for LTE band 7, "which is used for high-speed networks in Canada and Russia, among other places," it is not ideal for use in these countries. It also lacks support for the TD-LTE range (38, 39, 40, and 41) which often provides the best performance in Asia in particular, too. LTE still will work in these countries, but it won't reach maximum speeds, accordingly.

The A1723 iPhone SE Sprint model provides better international coverage and was available unlocked, but it initially required the purchase of Sprint service, which may have made it more expensive at the time it was new. On the used market, the price is about the same, though. It also is worth noting that this model provides slower cellular data on AT&T in the US due to its lack of support for LTE band 29 and it lacks compatibility with Verizon's US LTE network altogether due to its lack of support for LTE band 13.

Ultimately, if you are an American who travels extensively, you will have to decide if you would like the more affordable, but potentially slower, A1662 unlocked and carrier free option or the A1723 Sprint model that is potentially faster overseas, but potentially slower or incompatible with other carriers in the United States.

Internal & Battery Life Similarities

All three iPhone SE models are offered with 16 GB, 32 GB, 64 GB, or 128 GB of storage, are powered by a 1.8 GHz Apple A9 processor with an embedded M9 motion coprocessor, and as first discovered by TechCrunch reporter Matthew Panzarino, have 2 GB of LPDDR4 RAM. Curiously, they all lack a barometer.

Apple reports that all iPhone SE models provide "up to" 50 hours of audio playback, 14 hours of talk time on 3G, 12 hours of Internet use on 3G, 13 hours of Internet use on 4G/LTE, 13 hours of Internet use on Wi-Fi, 13 hours of video playback and 10 days of standby time.

iOS Support Similarities

Regardless of the location sold, carrier, or network support, all iPhone SE models initially shipped with iOS 9.3 and are compatible with iOS 10, iOS 11, iOS 12, iOS 13, iOS 14, and iOS 15. The iPhone SE models do not support iOS 16 or later versions of the iOS, including the current version.

There also are some limitations when running more recent versions of the iOS.

Running iOS 13, the iPhone SE does not support the Adjust Portrait Lighting and High-Key Mono photgraphy features, Dolby Atmos playback, and modest AR features (Motion Capture and People Occlusion).

Running iOS 14, the iPhone SE does not support the minor Car Keys, Spatial Audio, App Clips, Location Anchors, Exposure Compensation, Burst Photos, QuickTake Video, and On-Device Dictation features.

Running iOS 15, the iPhone SE does not support a large number of advanced features including Spatial Audio, Portrait Mode, Immersive Walking Instructions, Live Text in Photos, Live Text Translation, Visual Look Up, 3D Landmarks, Home Keys, and more.

Based on Apple's recent history, EveryiPhone.com originally speculated that it would be reasonable to expect the iPhone SE to be compatible with at least the next couple of major releases from its introduction date, and this was correct. It has reached the end of the road for iOS support now, though.

iPhone SE Comparison Chart

These differences -- identifiers, network support, and target countries -- along with pricing details are summarized below:

	USA	Global/Sprint	China Mobile
Model No:	A1662	A1723	A1724
LTE:	1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 8, 12, 13, 17, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 29	1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 17, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 28	1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 17, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 28
TD-LTE:	No	Yes	Yes
TD-SCDMA:	No	Yes	Yes
EV-DO:	Yes	Yes	No
Region:	US	US/Global	China
Intro Price:	US$399* US$499*	US$399† US$499†	3,288§ 4,088§

* In the US, this iPhone SE originally was US$399 with 16 GB of storage or US$499 with 64 GB of storage if paid in full up front.

† In the US, this iPhone SE originally was US$399 with 16 GB of storage or US$499 with 64 GB of storage if paid in full up front on Sprint. The price varies in other countries. For example, it originally was C$579 and C$709 in Canada, £359 and £439 in the UK, A$679 and A$829 in Australia, and S$658 and S$828 in Singapore.

§ In mainland China and intended for use on China Mobile's network, this iPhone SE originally was RMB 3,288 with 16 GB of storage and RMB 4,088 with 64 GB of storage. On March 21, 2017, Apple increased the capacity options to 32 GB and 128 GB, but held the same price points.

On September 7, 2016, Apple lowered the price of both of the US models with 64 GB of storage to US$449. On March 21, 2017, Apple upgraded the capacity options to 32 GB and 128 GB while re-establishing the original US$399 and US$499 price points. On September 12, 2018, Apple discontinued the iPhone SE entirely.

For introductory pricing in dozens of other countries, see the "Global Prices" on the specs page for each iPhone as well as the "By Global Original Prices" section.

EveryiPhone.com's Ultimate iComparison feature, which makes it easy to dynamically compare any iPhone model to any other iPod, iPhone, or iPad additionally may be of interest.

iPhone Purchase & Sale Options

There are no shortage of places to buy a used iPhone SE. However, buying your iPhone from a quality company with a reputation for excellence -- and strong after sales support -- will provide the best experience and save you money and time, too.

In the US, site sponsors Other World Computing and JemJem sell used and refurbished iPhone models with free shipping. On the other hand, if you need to sell an iPhone, A+ BBB-rated Cash for Your Mac and GoRoostr will buy your older iPhone with an instant quote and prompt payment.

In Australia, site sponsor Mac City likewise has a variety of used iPhone models sold at low prices and available with a free warranty and fast shipping across Australia.

Also see: What are all the differences between the iPhone SE and the older iPhone 5 and iPhone 5s models?