My iPhone SE second generation needs a new battery. It's currently operating at 75%. I just got off the phone with Best Buy (an official Apple repair shop). The agent I spoke to told me that they do not service iPhone SE. What gives?
[Re-Titled by Moderator]
iPhone SE, iOS 18
On a user-to-user site, we can't answer for Best Buy.
A guess....and it is just that.....a guess.....is that the person that you spoke to may have thought that you had the original version of the SE. I doubt that parts are still available for that product.
The iPhone SE 2nd Gen is fully supported by Apple. My son...who owns a 2nd Gen SE.....had no trouble at an authorized Apple service shop when he needed a new battery a few weeks ago. The shop did not have the battery in stock, but it only took a few days for the part to arrive.
You may have better luck trying another service shop. You can find a list of other authorized shops in your area using this link:
The guy at Best Buy was wrong, Apple even supports replacing the battery on the SE 1st generation.
The cost for replacing the battery on an SE 2nd generation is approx. $69.
Take it to an Apple store if Best Buy won't service it
Apple still has battery replacements for the SE 1st generation models too, so the guy at Best Buy either doesn't know what he's doing or perhaps Best Buy doesn't stock batteries for those models.
Interesting, considering that the iPhone SE (2nd Generation) is still entirely supported by Apple for service, meaning you should be able to get a battery replacement at about any Apple Store or Authorized Service Provider. Do they not have the parts on hand, or just not servicing that model entirely? Try calling back and speaking to someone else, maybe they misspoke.
I would arrange a mail-in Apple repair or go to an Apple Store - they know what they are talking about.
Which iPhone SE? The original model from 2016 has been declared obsolete. If it is that one, maybe that is why Best Buy will not service it. Take it in to an Apple Store Genius Bar.
A device is considered "vintage" five years after it was last distributed for sale. For vintage products, Apple's retail stores and Apple Authorized Service Providers (AASPs) are still able to offer repairs, but only if the required parts are available.
A device might be shown as "mixed" in Mactracker meaning that some services might be available, but others might not. It's basically an unofficial status between "vintage" and "obsolete".
Take a "mixed" product to two different service shops and you will probably get two different answers about what can and cannot be done as far as service.
For example, if a shop has an old part to fix an iPhone 6 in stock, they will tell the customer that they can fix the phone. If the same customer takes the same phone to a shop that does not have the part in stock....because it is no longer available from Apple.....that shop will tell the customer that parts are no longer available to fix the phone.
iPhone products vintage worldwide
see Getting a service for your Apple product after its warranty has expired – Apple Support
In some countries it is 7 years
"Vintage" is an official Apple warranty status designation.
"Mixed" is not. It does not appear in Apple's documentation.
I can't think of a good reason to use the term "Mixed" in a discussion with a user.
Hey Bob, I remember we had this discussion a while ago but I forgot the answer. What are the differences between Vintage and Mixed status?
So from what I understand they’re basically the same thing, just different terminology?
Thanks, then I’ll update my iPhone User Tip to reflect the proper documentation.
Why won’t Best Buy replace my iPhone SE 2 battery?
