When you carry three devices at all times, you can’t exactly say you’re a minimalist. But you can say you’re strategic. My daily trio? A newly acquired iPhone SE (3rd gen), an iPad mini with the A17 Pro and 5G, and a Galaxy S22 Ultra. One for mainline comms, one for media and productivity, and one for whatever shady business my phones are apparently planning without me.

Jokes aside, the iPhone SE 3 is the newest addition to my pocket lineup. I just picked it up, and while it’s far from a flagship, honestly? It’s kind of perfect for what I need—well, almost.

The SE 3: Still Got It Where It Counts

Released in March 2022, the iPhone SE (3rd gen) looks like it came from 2017. Thick bezels, Touch ID, 4.7-inch LCD. Not exactly cutting-edge. But inside? It’s running the A15 Bionic, the same chip as the iPhone 13 and 14 (non-Pro). That means this thing is surprisingly fast, even in 2025.

And here’s the kicker: Apple only discontinued the SE 3 on February 19, 2025, just before launching the iPhone 16e. Apple was still selling this phone two months ago. This isn’t some relic. It’s the same internals as the iPhone 14 in a retro body.

Also, Touch ID? Still elite. It's fast, consistent, and lets you unlock without angling your face at your phone like a weirdo. Why Apple hasn’t added an in-screen fingerprint reader to flagship iPhones yet—especially when Samsung’s nailed it—I’ll never understand.

When I Was a Kid…

I’m going to age myself here, but when I was a kid, a $150 “smartphone” barely deserved the label. You were lucky if it could load a webpage without freezing. The phone market was this weird mix of simple-looking plans hiding complicated contracts. Carriers subsidized everything, so phones seemed cheap—but really, you were locked into a multi-year deal and overpaying over time.

Fast forward to now, and $150 gets you a brand-new iPhone with the same chip as a $799 model. It’s wild. And when these SEs go on sale? You can find them as low as $50. That’s bananas.

iPhone 16e: The “Replacement” That Costs Too Much

In 2025, Apple released the iPhone 16e—a modern budget-ish iPhone with the A18 chip, a sharp 6.1-inch OLED display, Face ID, and a 48MP “2-in-1” camera system (basically one lens doing double duty). It also supports Apple Intelligence.

It’s a great device. But at $599, let’s not pretend it’s budget.

The Phone Swapper’s Dilemma

Will I eventually get a 16e? Yeah, probably. I’ve got a thing for jumping between old and new phones. In the past year alone, I’ve used:

• iPhone 15 Pro
• Galaxy S24 Plus
• iPhone 15 Pro Max
• Galaxy S24
• iPhone 14
• Galaxy Fold 4
• Pixel 8a
• Galaxy S22 Ultra
• And now, this SE

And yes—that was just the last 12 months. Every year for the past five has looked like that. It makes no sense, but I’ve accepted it. Some people collect sneakers. I collect used phones.

Apple Needs a Real Budget iPhone

Apple has figured out the budget space for iPads and Macs. The iPad 11th Gen starts at $349. The Mac mini starts at $599. Both are solid.

But when it comes to iPhones? Things get weird.

Right now, Apple’s iPhone lineup starts with the 16e at $599. Even the iPhone 15, which is now a generation old, starts at $699. What happened to the option for a simple, sub-$400 iPhone?

Here’s the current iPhone lineup (non-Plus models):

What’s missing is a true $300-ish iPhone. Not everyone wants—or can afford—a thousand-dollar flagship. Apple, if you’re listening: we need a modern SE-tier phone again.

The Downsides of the SE 3 (Especially a Locked One)

Look, I love this phone. But let’s be real about the trade-offs:

• Dated design – Big bezels, small screen, no Face ID.
• Battery life – Fine, not amazing. You’ll probably charge it daily.
• Single camera – Okay in good light, but struggles in low light. No ultrawide.
• No MagSafe – If you’re in that ecosystem, this phone’s sitting out.
• Carrier lock – Most cheap SEs are locked. Mine was on Verizon and required 90 days before unlocking.

But the Pros? Kinda Unbeatable

• A15 chip – Still speedy and supported in 2025.
• iOS updates – Likely good until at least 2027.
• Touch ID – Still a win.
• Compact size – Fits in any pocket.
• Price – $150 brand new. Even $50 on sale. Unreal.
• AppleCare eligible – It’s legit, not some used eBay sketchfest.

If you’re aware of the trade-offs and your carrier situation, this thing is a steal.

Trevor Score: 10/10 — Pure Value, No Gimmicks

This isn’t a formal review—it’s just how I felt using this thing. A gut-check from someone who actually used it.

I don’t hand out tens often, but c’mon: it’s the guts of a non-Pro iPhone 14 for $150. Sometimes even less. If you want a reliable iPhone on a budget, this is it.

Final Verdict: Right Tool, Right Time

I didn’t buy the SE 3 to be blown away. I bought it because it works. It’s compact, reliable, fast, and dirt cheap. It fills a gap in my daily setup, and it does it really well.

Honestly, with how cheap these are now, it almost feels irresponsible not to have one as a backup.

Shoutout to US Mobile—hands down the best mobile carrier I’ve ever used. Got my whole family on them. Cheap, amazing service, and their “Dark Star” plan that runs on AT&T? Truly unlimited, truly awesome. Not sponsored. Just a big fan.