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

iOS 26

15 New Things Your iPhone Can Do in iOS 26.2

Friday December 5, 2025 9:40 am PST by
Apple is about to release iOS 26.2, the second major point update for iPhones since iOS 26 was rolled out in September, and there are at least 15 notable changes and improvements worth checking out. We've rounded them up below. Apple is expected to roll out iOS 26.2 to compatible devices sometime between December 8 and December 16. When the update drops, you can check Apple's servers for the ...
ios 18 to ios 26 upgrade

Apple Pushes iPhone Users Still on iOS 18 to Upgrade to iOS 26

Tuesday December 2, 2025 11:09 am PST by
Apple is encouraging iPhone users who are still running iOS 18 to upgrade to iOS 26 by making the iOS 26 software upgrade option more prominent. Since iOS 26 launched in September, it has been displayed as an optional upgrade at the bottom of the Software Update interface in the Settings app. iOS 18 has been the default operating system option, and users running iOS 18 have seen iOS 18...
iOS 26

Apple Seeds iOS 26.2 and iPadOS 26.2 Release Candidates to Developers and Public Beta Testers

Wednesday December 3, 2025 10:33 am PST by
Apple today seeded the release candidate versions of upcoming iOS 26.2 and iPadOS 26.2 updates to developers and public beta testers, with the software coming two weeks after Apple seeded the third betas. The release candidates represent the final versions of iOS 26.2 and iPadOS 26.2 that will be provided to the public if no further bugs are found during this final week of testing....
Intel Inside iPhone Feature

Apple's Return to Intel Rumored to Extend to iPhone

Friday December 5, 2025 10:08 am PST by
Intel is expected to begin supplying some Mac and iPad chips in a few years, and the latest rumor claims the partnership might extend to the iPhone. In a research note with investment firm GF Securities this week, obtained by MacRumors, analyst Jeff Pu said he and his colleagues "now expect" Intel to reach a supply deal with Apple for at least some non-pro iPhone chips starting in 2028....
Photos App Icon Liquid Glass

John Gruber Shares Scathing Commentary About Apple's Departing Software Design Chief

Thursday December 4, 2025 9:30 am PST by
In a statement shared with Bloomberg on Wednesday, Apple confirmed that its software design chief Alan Dye will be leaving. Apple said Dye will be succeeded by Stephen Lemay, who has been a software designer at the company since 1999. Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg announced that Dye will lead a new creative studio within the company's AR/VR division Reality Labs. On his blog Daring Fireball,...
iOS 26

When Will Apple Release iOS 26.2?

Monday December 1, 2025 4:37 pm PST by
We're getting closer to the launch of the final major iOS update of the year, with Apple set to release iOS 26.2 in December. We've had three betas so far and are expecting a fourth beta or a release candidate this week, so a launch could follow as soon as next week. Past Launch Dates Apple's past iOS x.2 updates from the last few years have all happened right around the middle of the...
maxresdefault

iPhone Fold: Launch, Pricing, and What to Expect From Apple's Foldable

Monday December 1, 2025 3:00 am PST by
Apple is expected to launch a new foldable iPhone next year, based on multiple rumors and credible sources. The long-awaited device has been rumored for years now, but signs increasingly suggest that 2026 could indeed be the year that Apple releases its first foldable device. Subscribe to the MacRumors YouTube channel for more videos. Below, we've collated an updated set of key details that ...
ive and altman

Jony Ive's OpenAI Device Barred From Using 'io' Name

Friday December 5, 2025 6:22 am PST by
A U.S. appeals court has upheld a temporary restraining order that prevents OpenAI and Jony Ive's new hardware venture from using the name "io" for products similar to those planned by AI audio startup iyO, Bloomberg Law reports. iyO sued OpenAI earlier this year after the latter announced its partnership with Ive's new firm, arguing that OpenAI's planned "io" branding was too close to its...
iphone air camera

iPhone Air's Resale Value Has Dropped Dramatically, Data Shows

Thursday December 4, 2025 5:27 am PST by
The iPhone Air has recorded the steepest early resale value drop of any iPhone model in years, with new data showing that several configurations have lost almost 50% of their value within ten weeks of launch. According to a ten-week analysis published by SellCell, Apple's latest lineup is showing a pronounced split in resale performance between the iPhone 17 models and the iPhone Air....
iPhone 17 Pro Cosmic Orange

iPhone 17 Pro Lost a Camera Feature Pro Models Have Had Since 2020

Thursday December 4, 2025 5:18 am PST by
iPhone 17 Pro models, it turns out, can't take photos in Night mode when Portrait mode is selected in the Camera app – a capability that's been available on Apple's Pro devices since the iPhone 12 Pro in 2020. If you're an iPhone 17 Pro or iPhone 17 Pro Max owner, try it for yourself: Open the Camera app with Photo selected in the carousel, then cover the rear lenses with your hand to...

Top Rated Comments

JPack Avatar
55 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
55 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
55 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
55 months ago
California cleaning
Score: 16 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Hammerd Avatar
55 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
55 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)