Apple Quietly Removes 256GB iPhone SE Model From Online Store

Following updates to its product lineups this week, Apple has quietly discontinued the 256GB capacity option for the iPhone SE.

iPhone SE 2020 Side Cropped for Feature copy
Prior to this week, the ‌iPhone‌ SE was available in 64GB, 128GB, and 256GB configurations, but since Tuesday's "California streaming" event and subsequent product lineup rejig, only the first and second of those capacities are listed on Apple's online store. Pricing for the 64GB and 128GB ‌iPhone‌ SE options remains the same.

According to Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo, Apple is planning an update to the ‌iPhone‌ SE for the first half of 2022. The current model was launched in April 2020, so the removal of the 256GB variant could be a sign that Apple is beginning to ramp down production of this particular model.

During its virtual event, Apple announced that the ‌iPhone‌ 13 and ‌iPhone‌ 13 mini start with 128GB of storage, which is double the base 64GB offered for the ‌iPhone‌ 12 and iPhone 12 mini.

The storage capacities available for the ‌iPhone‌ 13 and ‌iPhone‌ 13 mini include 128GB, 256GB, and 512GB, while the ‌iPhone‌ 13 Pro and ‌iPhone‌ 13 Pro Max also have a new 1TB storage option.

Pricing continues to start at $699 for the ‌iPhone‌ 13 mini, $799 for the ‌iPhone‌ 13, $999 for the ‌iPhone‌ 13 Pro, and $1,099 for the ‌iPhone‌ 13 Pro Max. Preorders for the new ‌iPhone‌ 13 models begin Friday.

Related Forum: iPhone

Popular Stories

apple watch ultra yellow

What's Next for the Apple Watch Ultra 3 and Apple Watch SE 3

Friday April 25, 2025 2:44 pm PDT by
This week marks the 10th anniversary of the Apple Watch, which launched on April 24, 2015. Yesterday, we recapped features rumored for the Apple Watch Series 11, but since 2015, the Apple Watch has also branched out into the Apple Watch Ultra and the Apple Watch SE, so we thought we'd take a look at what's next for those product lines, too. 2025 Apple Watch Ultra 3 Apple didn't update the...
iphone 16 display

iPhone 17's Scratch Resistant Anti-Reflective Display Coating Canceled

Monday April 28, 2025 12:48 pm PDT by
Apple may have canceled the super scratch resistant anti-reflective display coating that it planned to use for the iPhone 17 Pro models, according to a source with reliable information that spoke to MacRumors. Last spring, Weibo leaker Instant Digital suggested Apple was working on a new anti-reflective display layer that was more scratch resistant than the Ceramic Shield. We haven't heard...
iPhone 17 Air Pastel Feature

iPhone 17 Reaches Key Milestone Ahead of Mass Production

Monday April 28, 2025 8:44 am PDT by
Apple has completed Engineering Validation Testing (EVT) for at least one iPhone 17 model, according to a paywalled preview of an upcoming DigiTimes report. iPhone 17 Air mockup based on rumored design The EVT stage involves Apple testing iPhone 17 prototypes to ensure the hardware works as expected. There are still DVT (Design Validation Test) and PVT (Production Validation Test) stages to...
Beyond iPhone 13 Better Blue

20th Anniversary iPhone Likely to Be Made in China Due to 'Extraordinarily Complex' Design

Monday April 28, 2025 4:29 am PDT by
Apple will likely manufacture its 20th anniversary iPhone models in China, despite broader efforts to shift production to India, according to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman. In 2027, Apple is planning a "major shake-up" for the iPhone lineup to mark two decades since the original model launched. Gurman's previous reporting indicates the company will introduce a foldable iPhone alongside a "bold"...
iPhone 17 Air Pastel Feature

iPhone 17 Air Launching Later This Year With These 16 New Features

Thursday April 24, 2025 8:24 am PDT by
While the so-called "iPhone 17 Air" is not expected to launch until September, there are already plenty of rumors about the ultra-thin device. Overall, the iPhone 17 Air sounds like a mixed bag. While the device is expected to have an impressively thin and light design, rumors indicate it will have some compromises compared to iPhone 17 Pro models, including only a single rear camera, a...
iPhone 17 Pro Blue Feature Tighter Crop

iPhone 17 Pro Launching Later This Year With These 13 New Features

Wednesday April 23, 2025 8:31 am PDT by
While the iPhone 17 Pro and iPhone 17 Pro Max are not expected to launch until September, there are already plenty of rumors about the devices. Below, we recap key changes rumored for the iPhone 17 Pro models as of April 2025: Aluminum frame: iPhone 17 Pro models are rumored to have an aluminum frame, whereas the iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 16 Pro models have a titanium frame, and the iPhone ...

Top Rated Comments

JPack Avatar
47 months ago
At this point, the majority of customers buying the SE are price sensitive. So no need for 256GB. When SE came out last year, you could argue some were looking for a new device with a small form factor. Today, you can buy the iPhone 12 and 13 mini.
Score: 27 Votes (Like | Disagree)
iSayuSay Avatar
47 months ago

At this point, the majority of customers buying the SE are price sensitive. So no need for 256GB. When SE came out last year, you could argue some were looking for a new device with a small form factor. Today, you can buy the iPhone 12 and 13 mini.
Well then Apple should remove the 64GB, and lower the price for 128 and 256GB overall. Say goodbye to 64GB iPhones once and for all.
Score: 19 Votes (Like | Disagree)
bobob Avatar
47 months ago

('https://www.macrumors.com/2021/09/16/apple-discontinues-256gb-iphone-se-model/')

Apple has quietly discontinued the 256GB capacity option for the iPhone SE.
What? No keynote?!? :eek:
Score: 18 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Ritmo Avatar
47 months ago
California cleaning
Score: 16 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Hammerd Avatar
47 months ago

At this point, the majority of customers buying the SE are price sensitive. So no need for 256GB. When SE came out last year, you could argue some were looking for a new device with a small form factor. Today, you can buy the iPhone 12 and 13 mini.
Touch ID!
Score: 14 Votes (Like | Disagree)
555gallardo Avatar
47 months ago
I feel like launching the iPhone SE 2020 shortly before iPhone 12 mini was a misstep for both devices. I’m aware of the vastly different price range, but the smallest 12 had a lot of discounts in the past few months.
Score: 11 Votes (Like | Disagree)