iPhone SE (3rd gen): what it's worth and whether to upgrade
Apple Trade In pays up to $75 in the United States, HK$600 in Hong Kong and £85 in the United Kingdom for an iPhone SE (3rd gen) (Apple, 24 Sept 2026). In Taiwan, local shops pay NT$2,500 to NT$3,500 for one in good condition, depending on storage. The iPhone SE (3rd gen) gets iOS 27 but cannot run Apple Intelligence.
What an iPhone SE (3rd gen) sells for, by country
The best quote for an iPhone SE (3rd gen) ranges from 13.4% of a new iPhone 18 Pro's price in India to 3.9% in Austria.
| Country | Apple Trade In | Best local quote | vs new 18 Pro |
|---|---|---|---|
| India | ₹10,500 | ₹22,100 CeX | 13.4% |
| South Korea | ₩100,000 | ₩256,000 세티즌 Cetizen | 12.9% |
| Japan | ¥19,000 | ¥22,000 イオシス 買取 | 10.0% |
| Spain | - | €136 CeX | 9.3% |
| United Kingdom | £85 | £110 CeX | 9.2% |
| Singapore | - | $160 Mister Mobile | 8.4% |
| Italy | - | €118 CeX | 7.9% |
| Portugal | - | €114 CeX | 7.6% |
| New Zealand | - | $180 Device Repair Guy | 7.1% |
| Ireland | - | €105 CeX | 7.1% |
| Australia | $120 | $148 CeX | 7.1% |
| Mexico | - | MX$2,090 CeX | 7.0% |
| Canada | $115 | - | 6.6% |
| Poland | - | 406 PLN CeX | 6.4% |
| France | €90 | €93 Easy Cash | 6.3% |
| United States | $75 | $52 GadgetGone | 6.3% |
| Germany | €90 | €50 MacOnline Ankauf | 6.2% |
| Switzerland | - | CHF 73 verkaufen.ch | 6.1% |
| Taiwan | NT$2,700 | NT$2,500 地標網通 | 6.0% |
| China mainland | CN¥600 | - | 6.0% |
| Malaysia | RM 325 | - | 5.9% |
| Netherlands | - | €86 CeX | 5.8% |
| Hong Kong | HK$600 | HK$600 Tradein852 先達 | 5.7% |
| United Arab Emirates | AED 260 | - | 5.1% |
| Sweden | - | 669 kr HappyPhone | 4.1% |
| Austria | - | € 57 eBörse | 3.9% |
Should you upgrade from the iPhone SE (3rd gen)?
Your SE (3rd gen) still does the job. The 18 Pro is a nice-to-have.
- It is 4 years old.
What the iPhone 18 Pro adds over the iPhone SE (3rd gen)
- A20 Pro chip, 5 generations newer than your A15.
- 36 hours of video playback, against 15 on yours (both with a new battery).
- Apple Intelligence and the new Siri, which need an iPhone 15 Pro or later.
- A 120Hz screen instead of 60Hz, so scrolling is noticeably smoother.
- USB-C instead of Lightning, one cable for your phone, laptop and iPad.
- A telephoto lens, which your phone does not have.
- A 48MP main camera instead of 12MP.
In the United States, an iPhone 18 Pro 256GB costs $1,199. After selling an iPhone SE (3rd gen) it costs $1,124 to $1,147. Your own result depends on battery health, condition and where you sell, so run the tool for your phone.
If the battery is the problem, a battery replacement at an Apple Store or authorised repair shop costs far less than a new phone.
iPhone SE (3rd gen) vs current iPhones
| SE (3rd gen) | 18 Pro | 17 | 17e | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chip | A15 | A20 Pro | A19 | A19 |
| Video playback | 15 hrs | 36 hrs | 30 hrs | 26 hrs |
| iOS updates | iOS 27 | iOS 27 | iOS 27 | iOS 27 |
| Apple Intelligence | No | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Display | 60Hz | 120Hz | 120Hz | 120Hz |
| Port | Lightning | USB-C | USB-C | USB-C |
Questions
Does the iPhone SE (3rd gen) get iOS 27?
Yes. iOS 27 runs on iPhone 11 and later, so the iPhone SE (3rd gen) is still supported.
Can the iPhone SE (3rd gen) run Apple Intelligence?
No. Apple Intelligence and the new Siri need an iPhone 15 Pro or later.
How much is an iPhone SE (3rd gen) worth?
Apple Trade In pays up to $75 in the United States, HK$600 in Hong Kong and £85 in the United Kingdom for an iPhone SE (3rd gen). In Taiwan, local shops pay NT$2,500 to NT$3,500 for one in good condition, depending on storage.
More
iPhone 13 Pro Max · iPhone 14 · iPhone 14 Plus · iPhone 14 Pro · iPhone 14 Pro Max · iPhone 14
Trade-in prices by country: Australia · Austria · France · Germany · Hong Kong · India · Ireland · Italy · Japan · Mexico · Netherlands · South Korea · Spain · Sweden · Switzerland · Taiwan · United Kingdom · United States
Sources: Apple Trade In and the local shops named above, checked 24 Sept 2026. How we collect and calculate.