My SE cell phone won't charge.

[no_hypocrisy]

Tried computer, plug-in outlet, car. Nothing. Turned off phone while charging.

Will I be forced to upgrade and get a new phone?

[RocRizzo55]

1. Try

A different charging cable for starters

[no_hypocrisy]

2. I could buy another but different cable for the car and still nothing.

Matter of fact, losing battery power more rapidly than usual.

Something's up.

[ret5hd]

3. Try (having a pro?) clean the charging port...

in the phone. I have had an iPhone with a similar problem that was fixed this way.

May help, nay not. But a cheap fix if so.

[Haggard Celine]

4. Maybe it's your battery.

If it won't charge, maybe there's a malfunction in the battery. There's a place a few miles from here that sells batteries and I had them install a new battery in my phone a month ago. They seemed pretty competent and knowledgeable about all kinds of phones. Take your phone to one of those places and see what they say. If you need a new battery, you can buy it there.

[hlthe2b]

8. That would be my guess. Depending on where you live there may be authorized repair centers

that can replace it under warranty (Apple-store in Denver was waaay too far for me to go at the time). That was the situation with my last iPhone and replacing the battery did the trick.

[MyMission]

5. I got a charging pad, when my port stopped working

The problem for me was the the port, the connection was loose in the phone, and I was loosing power.
The guy at Verizon suggested a charging port, which I've used for a year. Got a second one at Walmart, so I carry one and leave one at home. Works great.

Not sure it can be used in a car, but I suggest you try it if your phone is compatible, and if you're not ready to get a new phone. I don't know what an SE phone is.

[PJMcK]

6. Get a Genius Bar appointment at Apple (n/t)

[mn9driver]

7. Cleaning the charge port has always worked for me.

A soft toothbrush does the trick.

[Mickju]

11. Or a toothpick

[womanofthehills]

12. Same - charge port is clogged.

They will clean it at Genius Bar or gently try yourself.

[RocRizzo55]

9. If that's the case

your battery is going.
You can find instructions on how to replace it here. https://www.google.com/search?client=firefox-b-d&q=iphone+se+battery+replacement
Apple will charge you your first born. Better to buy a battery and either replace it yourself from a reliable source like ifixit, or take it to someone who is qualified to replace it.

[Phoenix61]

10. I've always paid to get my battery changed.

It’s never been more than $30. The last time I went I thought the better was bad but they checked it and told me it was fine.