The iPhone SE 2022 keeps the classic iPhone feel with a home button and Touch ID, and after 25+ years in the phone trade we know exactly how to test and refurbish models like this. Buy a refurbished iPhone SE 2022 SIM-free with 85%+ battery, 12-month warranty, 45-day returns and free UK delivery.
At a glance
The refurbished iPhone SE 2022 is the cheapest iPhone you can buy with 5G. It keeps the same compact design and home button as the SE 2020 but adds a faster chip, 5G support and longer battery life, making it the better long-term buy of the two.
It suits anyone who wants a small, affordable iPhone with modern connectivity. If you prefer Touch ID over Face ID, want a phone that fits easily in your pocket, or just need a cheap, reliable iPhone with years of software support ahead, the SE 2022 is worth serious consideration.
If you are comparing iPhone SE 2022 deals, the main difference is testing and aftercare. A professionally refurbished iPhone from The Big Phone Store gives you clear grading, battery checks, warranty cover and support after purchase.
Best for: Buyers who want 5G on a budget, users who prefer a home button and Touch ID, anyone upgrading from an iPhone 6/7/8
Performance: A15 Bionic chip
Camera: Single 12MP Wide camera with Portrait mode and 4K video
Battery: Up to 15 hours of video playback
Software: iOS 26, still receiving updates
Consider a newer model if: you want OLED, MagSafe and a modern all-screen design
Apple launched the iPhone SE 2022 (also called the iPhone SE 3rd generation) in March 2022, making it the third generation of the budget SE line. Apple marketed it as the most powerful and affordable iPhone ever made at the time, built around one headline upgrade over the SE 2020: 5G support, powered by the A15 Bionic chip (the same processor found in the iPhone 13).
The launch generated mixed reactions. Some reviewers felt the design, which was quite similar to the iPhone 6 and 8, was overdue for a refresh. Others pointed out that the old-style design is part of the appeal, and that the SE 2022 is the only iPhone to combine 5G and the A15 Bionic chip with Appleās traditional Home button and Touch ID design. The SE 2022 isnāt for everyone, and thatās partially why the prices are so reasonable today. iMore called it "the best value iPhone you can buy," noting that the A15 chip would keep it relevant well beyond its launch year.
In 2026, the iPhone SE 2022 is worth buying if you want the smallest, most affordable 5G iPhone available, and you're happy with a compact screen and a home button.
How The iPhone SE 2022 Compares
The iPhone SE 2022 improves on the iPhone SE 2020 in a few meaningful ways, while keeping everything that made the 2020 model popular.
Feature | Technical Upgrade | What You Notice Day to Day |
|---|---|---|
5G | Added for the first time | Faster mobile data speeds where 5G is available. Youāre less likely to be stuck waiting for things to load while out of the house. |
Processor | A15 Bionic replaces A13 Bionic | Faster performance helps your apps to run more smoothly, and longer software support means the phone will stay up to date for another few years. |
Battery | 15 hours video playback, compared to 13 on the SE 2020 | The extra few hours of battery life make it so you can get through the day more comfortably, with less worry that the phone is going to die when you need it. |
Camera | Same 12MP lens, smarter processing | Better colour balance on photos with extreme bright and dark areas, as well as more style options to improve warmth and contrast. |
Screen Note: The iPhone SE 2022 keeps the same 4.7-inch LCD screen and home button design as the SE 2020 and iPhone 8. This will feel familiar if youāre upgrading from an older model, but it is small by modern standards, which is something to bear in mind.
The Big Phone Store Team Summary: The iPhone SE 2022 is the stronger long-term buy over the SE 2020. You get 5G, a faster chip and better software longevity for a small price difference. If your budget stretches to either model, the 2022 is the one to pick.
The iPhone SE 2022 is the most modern iPhone you can get that still has a home button, and thatās really special. Plenty of our customers prefer the original iPhone layout, so this is the one we point them towards if they want to stick with what they know.
Thankfully, you can still get modern performance while keeping the old design, because this model supports 5G and the latest version of iOS in 2026. If you want a small iPhone with an original home button, this is the best option.
Who Should Buy The iPhone SE 2022?
The iPhone SE 2022 suits anyone who wants a small, affordable iPhone with 5G and remaining software support. It's a strong pick for older users who prefer a home button, anyone upgrading from an iPhone 6, 7 or 8 who wants modern performance without a big screen, parents buying a first smartphone for a child, and anyone who just needs a reliable cheap iPhone that performs better than many older phones.
Who Should Avoid The iPhone SE 2022?
Skip the iPhone SE 2022 if you want a bigger screen, Face ID or Night Mode. The 4.7-inch LCD is functional but noticeably smaller and less vibrant than newer iPhones. For a small step up in price, the iPhone 11 gives you a bigger screen, a second Ultra Wide camera and Night mode.
ā Holly Williams, Marketing Executive
Find a cheap iPhone SE 2022 deal across our grades, colours and storage options.
Grades: Like New, Pristine, Very Good, Good
Colours: Midnight, Starlight, (PRODUCT) RED
Storage: 64GB, 128GB, 256GB
Every grade (condition) of device we sell at The Big Phone Store is fully working. The grade describes cosmetic condition only, and all devices go through a 90+ point check before dispatch.
Like New is the cleanest cosmetic option and includes 100% guaranteed battery health. Choose it if you want the best condition available.
Pristine has very light signs of use and suits buyers who want a cleaner-looking phone for less.
Very Good may show light marks, but still gives you full iPhone performance.
Good shows more visible wear and is best if you want the lowest price on a fully working modern iPhone.
Feature | Technical Details | Why it Matters |
|---|---|---|
Screen | 4.7-inch Retina LCD, 1334 x 750 resolution, True Tone and 625 nits typical max brightness | The screen is compact and clear for everyday use. Itās not as vivid as newer iPhones with OLED, but itās perfectly functional for everyday scrolling and messaging. |
Camera | Single 12MP Wide camera with Smart HDR 4, Photographic Styles, Portrait mode and 4K video | A capable camera lets you take everyday photos with ease. It automatically adjusts to lighting levels, producing solid photos without any fancy adjustments. |
Battery Life | Apple lists up to 15 hours of video playback, up to 10 hours streamed video playback and up to 50 hours audio playback | The battery can last the day with light use, but 5G, gaming and video may drain the battery faster. |
iOS | Launched with iOS 15 and compatible with iOS 26. It does not support Apple Intelligence | This phone is still supported and receiving updates in 2026, meaning youāre not missing out on security patches, and get many new iOS features. |
Dimensions | 138.4 x 67.3 x 7.3mm, 144g | One of the lightest modern iPhones, meaning itās very easy to carry and use one-handed. Ideal when youāre on the go. |
Every iPhone SE 2022 from The Big Phone Store comes with at least 85% battery health, well above Appleās 80% replacement threshold. Like New devices have 100% battery health guaranteed.
Try the iPhone SE 2020 if you want the same design at the lowest possible price and don't need 5G.
Try the iPhone 11 if you want a bigger screen, Night mode and a dual camera for a small price increase.
Try the iPhone 12 if you want OLED, MagSafe and 5G in a more modern design.
Try the iPhone 12 Mini if having a smaller modern phone is your priority.
Size
The main reason to buy the iPhone SE 2022 is that it gives you modern features in a small, original-style phone. No other iPhone gives you 5G connectivity, a home button, Touch ID and the A15 Bionic chip. At this price point, itās especially impressive. You donāt have to sacrifice many major modern features to get a compact and reasonably-priced iPhone.
The SE 2022 is a phone built for people who want modern performance and connectivity without a big screen or a big price, and in 2026, the A15 chip means it's still fast enough to feel current.
If you're still undecided, we have dozens of other iPhone models available. See our range or get in contact!
iPhone SE 2022
First experience ordering from The Big Phone Store. Refurbished IPhone SE 2022 arrived very quickly and in condition described. Ordering from established UK company and information online about checks carried out on refurbished phones was reassuring. I would consider shopping with The Big Phone Store again in the future.
Phone SE 2022 arrived swiftly and as described. Got a screen cover fitted and a new battery and all in the price was the best in the market that I could find at the time. A great upgrade on my 6S! Iām happy.
The online ordering and payment (Klarna) was easy. The phone I received was as described on the website (Pristine) and it arrived when expected. I have had the phone for a week and this iPhone SE (2022) works as if it was brand new. Up to this point I have found The Big Phone Store's service excellent.
The iPhone SE 2022 is a compact phone where the home button and Touch ID sensor are the primary unlock method, so both get specific attention during testing.
85%+ battery health confirmed and charging tested
Display brightness, colour and full-screen touch response
Touch ID ā tested, not assumed
Front camera and video
Speakers, microphone and haptic feedback
Wi-Fi, Bluetooth and mobile signal
All buttons and sensors
IMEI and network history check via CheckMEND
Previous ownerās data fully erased
Account locks removed
Lost, stolen and blacklist status checked
Only devices that pass every required check are approved for sale. If a device doesnāt meet our standards, it wonāt be sold. Each reconditioned iPhone SE 2022 we sell is tested, cleaned and graded in-house before dispatch.
From years of working with used phones, we know that problems often start before the phone reaches you. There is a big difference between a second-hand iPhone SE 2022 and a refurbished one, but in both cases it's important to be careful. The main issues are weak battery health, unclear grading, hidden faults, poor replacement parts, blocked phones and sellers listing stock they do not actually have.
Before you buy a refurbished or used iPhone SE 2022, watch out for these common pitfalls.
Risk to Watch Out For | The Issue | What it Means for You |
|---|---|---|
Non-UK or imported models | Some phones may not be intended for the UK market. | You'll pay marginally less upfront, however the phone may sell for as little as 10-20% of its original value later on. Whilst you'll make a small saving to start with, you'll take a huge hit when it's time to dispose of the device, because imported devices are seen as a risk for buyers. |
Phones that are not actually in stock | Some sellers list phones before they physically have them ready to send. | Your phone is your lifeline, and we understand this well. Do you really want to purchase from a company who has a reputation of taking your money and then making you wait for weeks, or in some cases months for your device? |
Weak battery health | A phone can look clean but still have a worn battery. | Many of our competitors don't even mention battery life, and the battery you get is left up to chance. Who wants to spend good money on a device that only turns on for a few hours? Our minimum battery health is 85%, and you can upgrade to 100% at checkout for much cheaper than a high-street battery replacement would cost. |
Hidden faults | Camera, Touch ID, sensors or charging port issues may not show in photos. | Many sellers cut costs by not testing your device properly, or in some cases not at all. We believe that every customer deserves a fully functional device from day one, which is why our return rate is one of the lowest in the industry. |
Poor-quality replacement parts | Cheap screens, batteries or camera parts can affect how the phone feels and performs. | Mobile phones are precisely built and sensitive devices. Some sellers use cheap phone parts that are more likely to break or become faulty. We use genuine Apple parts in 95% of the iPhones we repair. On the rare occasion that third-party parts are used, these will be of the highest quality possible, and only for screens and batteries. See our quality charter. |
Blocked, locked or finance-flagged phones | Risky sellers may list phones that later turn out to be blocked, iCloud locked, finance-flagged or not fully reset. | What might seem like a good deal initially could cost you further down the line when the phone is blacklisted from use. We check that your phone hasn't been reported stolen, isn't on the police register, doesn't belong to another company, isn't hacked, and doesn't have any viruses. |
Weak aftercare | Some sellers offer limited support once the phone has been delivered. | If something goes wrong and you need quick support, you may be stuck talking to an AI chatbot. In some cases, the customer support team may live in a different timezone and can't help you when you need it most. Our award-winning team is here to help you by phone, WhatsApp, email and more. |
The Big Phone Store has been refurbishing phones and saving customers money since 1999. Every stage, from initial testing to device aftercare, is handled in-house in Wolverhampton, giving us tighter quality control and clearer accountability. We sold more than 72,000 refurbished smartphones in 2025, which is proof that customers trust in our quality.
If you're looking for a refurbished iPhone SE 2022 deal, here's why you should choose us.
What Matters | How We Help | Why it Matters to You |
|---|---|---|
Experience | Refurbished electronics specialist since 1999 | No one has more expertise in this industry than us. Weāve been refurbishing phones since before the iPhone existed. |
Trust | A 4.8 Trustpilot rating with over 5000 reviews | We have over 80,000 satisfied customers across all platforms, and you can become one of them. |
Security | Devices are data-wiped, network status and device history are checked for blacklisting, theft, loss or outstanding finance | Our checks help protect you from blocked, stolen or finance-flagged phones. Unlike with unverified sellers, thereās no risk of being scammed or ripped off. |
Quality | 90+ point quality check | We refuse to sell devices that don't work the same as if they were new. Your device is ready to go straight out of the box. |
Support | UK-based customer support | Get help from real people who won the Best Customer Service (Consumer) award at the MNA 2026, beating major brands such as EE. |
Stock | Website stock means actual stock | Unlike other sites, all devices on our website are in stock and ready to ship from our warehouse today. No false listings or seller delays. |
Device Quality | Every part of the process is done in-house | We have full control over the refurbishment process. Unlike others who outsource their process, we confirm the quality of the devices ourselves. |
Every Apple iPhone SE 2022 refurbished at The Big Phone Store includes a 12-month warranty as standard, which you can upgrade to 2 years, 5 years, or lifetime. You also get free UK delivery for any order over Ā£30 and a 45-day returns process.
Yes. Our refurbished iPhone SE 2022 devices are SIM-free and unlocked for compatible UK networks.
No. A used phone is usually sold as-is by a private seller. A refurbished iPhone SE 2022 is professionally tested, data-wiped, graded and sold with warranty cover.
Yes. The iPhone SE 2022 has Touch ID built into the Home button, making it a good choice if you prefer fingerprint unlocking.
Yes, for everyday use. It has a 12MP rear camera with Portrait mode, Smart HDR 4, Deep Fusion and 4K video recording, but it does not have ultra-wide or telephoto lenses.
You get at least 85% battery health as standard. Like New phones include 100% guaranteed battery health.
That depends on the grade. Like New and Pristine look cleaner, while Very Good and Good may show more signs of previous use. All grades are fully functional.
Yes. Every refurbished iPhone SE 2022 includes a 12-month warranty as standard, with upgrade options where available.
Buy the refurbished iPhone SE 2022 if you want a small, simple iPhone with Touch ID, 5G and fast A15 Bionic performance, without paying for a larger all-screen iPhone.
