Recommended
iPhone 15
from ~$699
- Modern edge-to-edge OLED
- 48MP camera
- USB-C
- Massively faster + better battery
Apple · Phone · 2016
Upgrading your iPhone SE (2016)? The best upgrades right now: iPhone 15, iPhone 16 Pro. Compare specs, prices, and buy on Amazon in one tap.
Find your upgrade in the interactive 3D finder →| Display | 4.0" LCD |
|---|---|
| Chip | A9 |
| Storage | 16GB |
| Battery | 1624 mAh |
| Camera | 12MP single |
from ~$699
from ~$999
Only the specs that actually change are listed — everything else is broadly the same.
| iPhone SE (2016) | iPhone 15 | |
|---|---|---|
| Display | 4.0" LCD | 6.1" OLED |
| Chip | A9 | A16 Bionic |
| Storage | 16GB | 128GB |
| Battery | 1624 mAh | 3349 mAh |
| Camera | 12MP single | 48MP dual |
Your iPhone SE (2016) is 10+ years old, which is past the point where most phones stop receiving full software and security updates and where battery wear is significant. This is a genuine upgrade case — and the gains below are large enough that you'll notice them daily, not just on a spec sheet.
For most people the iPhone 15 is the best balance of price and improvement, starting around $699. The main gains: Modern edge-to-edge OLED; 48MP camera; USB-C; Massively faster + better battery.
It still works, but at 10+ years you're likely past full software support and well into battery wear. Most owners at this age notice a real difference after upgrading.
Trade-in values move constantly with condition and carrier promotions, so treat any fixed number with suspicion. Check the current offer from Apple, Samsung, or your carrier directly, and compare it against selling privately — private sales usually pay more but take longer.