Apple iPhone SE (1st Gen) Price in Kenya
The Apple iPhone SE (1st generation) price in Kenya is Kes 27,500 for the 32 GB 2 GB RAM storage variant at Silkroom Electronics. Compact yet powerful for its time, the first iPhone SE combines the classic 4‑inch design of the iPhone 5s with the A9 chip from the iPhone 6s, making it ideal for users who value a pocket‑friendly phone with reliable performance.
📱 Immersive Display & Performance
The original iPhone SE sports a 4‑inch Retina IPS LCD with 640 × 1136 resolution (~326 ppi), offering sharp visuals in a lightweight 113 g body. Powered by Apple’s A9 chipset with dual-core 1.84 GHz CPU and 2 GB RAM, it handles everyday tasks like browsing, messaging, and media playback smoothly. Running iOS 9 out of the box (upgradeable to iOS 15.7), it provides access to most modern apps, though it lacks 5G and modern refresh rates.
📷 Camera Experience
It features a 12 MP rear camera with f/2.2 aperture, phase‑detection autofocus, and dual‑LED dual‑tone flash, capable of 4K@30fps and 1080p@60fps video recording. The 1.2 MP front camera is basic by today’s standards but supports 720p video and FaceTime calls, suitable for casual selfies and video chats.
🔋 Battery, Charging & Build
The 1624 mAh battery supports a full day of light use with standard 5 W wired charging via the Lightning port. The aluminum unibody with glass front ensures a durable, classic feel, and the phone includes Touch ID, a 3.5 mm headphone jack, and single bottom‑firing speaker.
💎 Why It’s Worth It
The first iPhone SE remains a charming, ultra‑compact option for users who prefer a truly small iPhone with reliable essentials. While its small screen, limited front camera, and lack of modern wireless charging are trade‑offs, it still shines as an affordable secondary device or minimalist smartphone with Apple’s polished ecosystem and solid build quality.
Apple iPhone SE (1st Generation, 2016) Full Specifications
Also known as: iPhone SE 2016
The original iPhone SE combines the compact 4.0″ Retina display of the iPhone 5s with the A9 chip and 12 MP rear camera of the iPhone 6s. It offers strong performance in a small form factor with a 1,624 mAh battery, Touch ID, and aluminum build. It launched with iOS 9.3 and is upgradable up to iOS 15.
Display
| Feature | Specification |
|---|---|
| Type | Retina IPS LCD |
| Size | 4.0 inches (~60% screen‑to‑body) |
| Resolution | 640 × 1136 px (~326 ppi) |
| Refresh Rate | 60 Hz |
| Brightness | ~500 nits (typical) |
| Protection | Ion‑strengthened glass, oleophobic coating |
| Aspect Ratio | 16:9 |
| Always-on Display | ❌ No |
Performance
| Feature | Specification |
|---|---|
| Chipset | Apple A9 (14 nm) |
| CPU | Dual‑core 1.84 GHz (Twister) |
| GPU | PowerVR GT7600 (6‑core) |
| RAM | 2 GB LPDDR4 |
Storage
| Feature | Specification |
|---|---|
| Internal Options | 16 GB / 32 GB / 64 GB / 128 GB NVMe |
| Expandable | ❌ No microSD |
Camera
| Feature | Specification |
|---|---|
| Rear Camera | 12 MP (f/2.2, 1.22 µm, PDAF, dual‑LED flash) |
| Features | HDR, Panorama, Live Photos |
| Video (Rear) | 4K@30 fps, 1080p@30/60/120 fps, 720p@240 fps |
| Front Camera | 1.2 MP (f/2.4, 720p video) |
| Video (Front) | 720p@30 fps |
Battery & Charging
| Feature | Specification |
|---|---|
| Capacity | 1,624 mAh Li‑Ion |
| Wired Charging | 5 W Lightning |
| Wireless Charging | ❌ No |
| Reverse Charging | ❌ No |
Software & Updates
| Feature | Specification |
|---|---|
| OS | iOS 9.3, up to iOS 15 |
| Software Support | Discontinued |
| AI Features | ❌ None |
Connectivity
| Feature | Specification |
|---|---|
| Network | 4G LTE, HSPA, GSM |
| SIM | Nano‑SIM |
| Wi‑Fi | 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual‑band, hotspot |
| Bluetooth | 4.2, A2DP, LE |
| GNSS | GPS, GLONASS |
| NFC | ✔️ Apple Pay (market-limited) |
| USB | Lightning (USB 2.0) |
| Infrared | ❌ No |
| FM Radio | ❌ No |
Security & Sensors
| Feature | Specification |
|---|---|
| Fingerprint | Front‑mounted Touch ID |
| Face Unlock | ❌ No |
| Other Sensors | Accelerometer, Gyroscope, Proximity, Compass |
Build & Design
| Feature | Specification |
|---|---|
| Dimensions | 123.8 × 58.6 × 7.6 mm |
| Weight | 113 g |
| Materials | Aluminum frame, glass front |
| Water/Dust Resistance | ❌ None |
| Colors | Space Gray, Silver, Gold, Rose Gold |
Audio & Extras
| Feature | Specification |
|---|---|
| Speakers | Mono bottom-firing |
| Headphone Jack | ✔️ 3.5 mm |
| Extras | Siri, Live Photos |
Price in Kenya
| Variant | Price in Kenya |
|---|---|
| Apple iPhone SE 32 GB | KSh 27,500 |
| Apple iPhone SE 128 GB | KSh 31,500 |
Apple iPhone SE (1st generation) Compare & Alternatives
Why Choose Apple iPhone SE (1st generation)?
Launched in March 2016, this compact 4.0″ iPhone combines the iPhone 5s form factor with the powerful A9 chip and 2 GB RAM, making it notably faster than contemporaries and even some later models in everyday tasks. It includes a 12 MP rear camera capable of 4K video and Live Photos, Touch ID fingerprint unlock, Apple Pay support, and a premium aluminum‑glass build weighing just 113 g. A full day’s talk time (~14 hours on 3G) and up to 240 hours standby make it surprisingly robust for its size.
Performance & Battery
Powered by Apple’s A9 SoC, its performance remains smooth on iOS 12 and iOS 15 for basic apps—even in 2025, some users still use it comfortably for messaging, email, and web browsing. Its 1,624 mAh battery provides solid runtime, though the lack of software updates and aging hardware limits its capability over time It is not compatible with iOS 16 or newer, making it the last 4″ iPhone to support up to iOS 15
Alternatives to Apple iPhone SE (1st generation)
Apple iPhone 5s – A7 chip, Touch ID
Compared to the SE, it is slower, lacks 4K and Live Photos, and only supports up to iOS 12.5.6—but offers nearly identical size and battery endurance
Apple iPhone SE (2nd generation) – A13 Bionic, 4.7″ Retina LCD, wireless charging
Compared to the SE 1, it brings modern performance, extended iOS support (iOS 17/18), larger display, Face ID, and wireless charging—though in a larger and heavier body
Used iPhone 6s or 6s Plus – A9 chip, larger screen, stronger camera
Compared to the SE, these offer bigger screens and slightly better low-light shooting and battery life but lack the compact feel and durability of the SE design.
🧭 Which One’s Right for You?
- Choose iPhone SE (1st generation) if you want a pocketable iPhone with premium build, capable A9 performance, and classic Touch ID for basics like texts, calls, and banking.
- Pick iPhone 5s only if you’re focused on nostalgia and can live without modern iPhone features or iOS support.
- Go for iPhone SE (2nd generation) if you need better performance, longer iOS compatibility, and a larger screen, while still valuing Touch ID and wireless charging.
- Opt for a used iPhone 6s or 6s Plus if you want a similar chipset with larger display and improved camera, but don’t mind the move away from the SE’s compact 4″ design.
Frequently Asked Questions
When was the original iPhone SE released and how long was it sold?
Apple announced the first-generation iPhone SE on March 21, 2016, with general availability beginning March 31, 2016. It was discontinued on September 12, 2018. The SE design—modeled after the iPhone 5s—made it easy to hold while packing updated hardware.
What are the display specs and build materials?
It features a 4.0‑inch Retina IPS LCD with 1136×640 px resolution (~326 ppi), offering standard sRGB coverage and around 500 cd/m² brightness. The frame is aluminum with a glass front and back, and it even includes the 3.5 mm headphone jack, which Apple later removed from newer models.
What processor, RAM, and storage were included?
Equipped with an Apple A9 chip (same used in the iPhone 6s) and 2 GB RAM, the SE shipped in 16 GB, 32 GB, 64 GB, or 128 GB NVMe storage variants. It runs iOS 9.3 initially and supports updates up to iOS 15.
How is the battery life and endurance?
It includes a 1,624 mAh (6.21 Wh) battery. Combined with efficient A9 performance and a small display, the SE often delivered full-day usage—sometimes lasting 1.5 days on light use. Real-world users report strong battery life, especially after a replacement.
What camera specs does it support and how is photo quality?
The rear camera is 12 MP with f/2.2 aperture, capable of 4K video at 30fps, HDR, and Live Photos. The front FaceTime camera is 1.2 MP, limited to 720p video. Photography performance, especially in daylight, was praised as exceptional for a small phone.
Does it support Touch ID or Face ID?
Yes—it includes Touch ID fingerprint unlock in the home button. Face ID is not available, and the SE lacks 3D Touch.
What connectivity options are available?
Supports GSM/CDMA/3G/4G LTE, dual-band Wi‑Fi 802.11ac, Bluetooth 4.2, GPS/GLONASS, NFC for Apple Pay, VoLTE, and includes a Lightning connector plus the 3.5 mm headphone jack.
What are known issues or limitations with the SE 2016?
Over time, users report battery degradation, heat build-up during navigation or heavy use, and performance slowdowns on iOS 15, with glitches in scrolling and typing in apps like Reddit. A battery replacement typically resolves these issues.
Is the iPhone SE (2016) still practical in 2025?
While compact and nostalgic, the SE is now legacy hardware. With limited battery longevity, aging internals, and lack of modern features like 5G or wide screens, it’s best for collectors, basic backup use, or minimal phone users. Some Reddit users report that after a battery upgrade and light-use cases, the device still performs adequately.
The original iPhone SE (2016) offered innovative power in a downsized design, with a long life cycle from iOS 9 through iOS 15. Today, its small size, headphone jack, and front Touch ID make it a useful retro-friendly backup device—just be aware of battery wear and aged app performance.