Apple’s latest iPhone 16e has arrived with one glaring omission: MagSafe. While the company defends the move as aligned with the target audience’s needs, many fans feel the absence is a cost-cutting measure that sacrifices innovation.
“Most people in the iPhone 16e’s target audience exclusively charge their phones by plugging them into a charging cable,” Apple representatives told Daring Fireball’s John Gruber, explaining why the iPhone 16e does not support MagSafe.
It would appear that these customers rarely, if ever, utilize wireless charging. Apple, on the other hand, thinks that the cheaper device’s target demographic won’t care about the slower 7.5W Qi charging speed compared to MagSafe’s faster rates.
To facilitate the alignment of wireless chargers and the attachment of accessories, MagSafe was introduced with the 2020 iPhone 12 series and makes use of magnets built in the rear of compatible iPhones.
Compared to regular Qi wireless charging—which can only deliver 7.5W on iPhones—this technology enables quicker wireless charging—up to 15W on most models and 25W on later Pro models.
A plethora of MagSafe cases, wallets, power packs, and mounts have been created by Apple. The charging position is optimized and accessories may be attached with ease thanks to the magnetic alignment.
Rumors circulated at the announcement of the iPhone 16e that the new C1 modem would cause issues with MagSafe functionality; however, Apple has since denied these claims.
A well-known iPhone case maker has informed MacRumors that their testing has verified that MagSafe cases do not affect the performance of the C1 modem, lending credence to Apple’s assertion.
Following in the footsteps of the now-defunct iPhone SE—which also did not have MagSafe connectivity—the iPhone 16e follows suit. When it comes to Apple’s flagship smartphone series, though, this capability has been absent from every model save the 16e.
For those who favor MagSafe or are looking for an alternative, there are third-party covers for the iPhone 16e that have magnets built in, but they won’t allow for quicker charging speeds.
The iPhone 16e with wireless charging doesn’t fall off its display dock when shown in Apple retail locations, according to IT Home, therefore the company had to find a solution.
During its presentations, Apple utilizes a specialized docking station that allows wireless charging and features a bottom groove to hold the iPhone upright. The only way to charge your iPhone with this specialized dock is to hold it vertically; any other orientation will cause the device to slip off.
Perhaps in an effort to save money, Apple has decided not to include MagSafe in the iPhone 16e. However, Gruber points out that “I think Apple knows the 16e’s intended audience better than I do,” implying that Apple has conducted market research to determine which features are most important to the people who would be purchasing this gadget.
Luis Gochoco is a seasoned managing editor and writer with over a decade of experience covering politics, technology, gaming, and entertainment news. With a keen eye for breaking stories and in-depth analysis, he has established himself as a trusted voice in digital journalism. Luis is one of the key forces behind the success of GameNGuide, contributing to 12 million views through engaging and high-traffic content. He also played a pivotal role in generating 8 million views on International Business Times, shaping the platform’s technology and gaming coverage.
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