40% of iPhone Users Plan to Buy iPhone SE 3, Survey Indicates - MacRumors
Skip to Content

40% of iPhone Users Plan to Buy iPhone SE 3, Survey Indicates

40 percent of iPhone users intend to buy the third-generation iPhone SE, according to the findings of a survey by SellCell.

iphoneseback
Of the survey respondents that plan to buy the iPhone SE, 24 percent plan to use it as their main device, while 16 percent plan to give the device as a gift or use it as a secondary device. While most iPhone SE 3 buyers plan to use the device themselves, 10.9 percent plan to buy the device for a child, 10.2 percent plan to buy it for their partner or spouse, and 7.8 percent plan to buy it for a family member such as a parent or grandparent.

Most customers are planning to buy the third-generation iPhone SE because of its price point, but 15.2 percent are mainly attracted to 5G connectivity, 11.3 percent prefer its compact form factor, and 6.7 percent prefer the Home Button with Touch ID.

Most users upgrading to the iPhone SE will be upgrading from the iPhone 11, accounting for 11.5 percent of models that users intend to part ways with once the new iPhone SE launches. Beyond the iPhone 11, 6.8 percent are planning to upgrade from the iPhone XR and 6.7 percent are planning to upgrade from the iPhone 12, but there is widespread appetite to switch to the iPhone SE across multiple iPhone generations, from the iPhone 6 through to the iPhone 13 Pro Max.

Of the users who are not planning to buy the new iPhone SE, 66.2 percent said that they are still happy with their current iPhone model, 9.3 percent are waiting for the iPhone 14 lineup to launch, 4.1 percent say that the device is too small, and three percent say that it is not premium enough.

The independent survey asked 2,549 adult iPhone owners in the United States about their thoughts on the third-generation iPhone SE. For a more detailed breakdown, see SellCell's full survey breakdown.

The third-generation iPhone SE is widely expected to be announced at Apple's "Peek Performance" event on March 8, likely alongside the fifth-generation iPad Air, and potentially a redesigned high-end Mac mini and a refreshed 13-inch MacBook Pro.

Popular Stories

iphone 17 pro dark blue 1

Apple Preparing 'Most Significant Overhaul in the iPhone's History'

Sunday March 29, 2026 8:18 am PDT by
Bloomberg's Mark Gurman has high expectations for Apple's first foldable iPhone. In his Power On newsletter today, he said the foldable iPhone will be "the most significant overhaul in the iPhone's history." "iPhone 4, iPhone 6 and iPhone X were clearly a big deal, but this is a whole new design," he said. Like Samsung's Galaxy Z Fold 7, the foldable iPhone will reportedly open up like ...
Apple Event Logo

Apple to Launch These 15+ New Products Later This Year

Friday March 27, 2026 2:03 pm PDT by
March has been an incredibly busy month for Apple, with the company unveiling more than 10 new products and accessories. We said hello to the MacBook Neo at the start of the month, and we bid farewell to the Mac Pro at the end of it. Nevertheless, there is still a lot more to come this year. Beyond the usual annual updates to iPhones and Apple Watches, Apple's all-new smart home hub is...
Apple Apps Grid

Apple Releasing Two New iPhone Apps This Year

Saturday March 28, 2026 8:00 am PDT by
Apple is expected to release two new iPhone apps this year, including an Apple Business app and a Siri app with chatbot-like functionality. With the Apple Business app, employees at businesses using the new Apple Business platform will be able to install apps for work, view contact information for colleagues, and request support. Apple Business is launching on April 14, and it replaces Apple ...

Top Rated Comments

entropys Avatar
53 months ago
40%!
riiight.
Score: 41 Votes (Like | Disagree)
The Game 161 Avatar
53 months ago
40% lol I highly doubt that. most people who will buy this don't even know it's coming.
Score: 19 Votes (Like | Disagree)
HappyDude20 Avatar
53 months ago
I think if there was an option titled

[HEADING=2]“I don’t want Face ID” [/HEADING]

that that would score as the highest reason
Score: 19 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Red Oak Avatar
53 months ago
That survey is obviously flawed
Score: 18 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Unami Avatar
53 months ago
Why anyone using an 11 would "upgrade" to a device with a smaller battery, smaller screen and worse camara is beyond me. Sure, the cpu will be slightly faster, but the 11 is still plenty fast. I call BS.

Sure, the SE is the "entry level/compromise" iphone, but it's way overpriced for it's old design and for what it does. Most people who could afford an 11 in the past will surely go for a "regular" iphone.

On the other hand, if true, maybe people don't want to pay €899 upwards for a phone anymore and this is a sign that apple will have to alter it's product strategy in the future. Would't count on it.

(Written from a SE2 with a nice form factor but terrible battery life)
Score: 16 Votes (Like | Disagree)
53 months ago
40% my foot
Score: 16 Votes (Like | Disagree)