Apple Denies Speculation Surrounding iPhone 16e's Lack of MagSafe

[Joshuaorange]

Then why does it have wireless charging at all?

So they can take that out next year.

 

[klasma]

If Apple spent half the marketing budget of this phone showing off that it could do Apple Intelligence but instead spent it saying this is the cheapest iPhone with MagSafe, more people would find value in that than the BS Apple half-baked so-called Intelligence.

As the cheapest iPhone model, the 16e doesn’t need people to find particular value in it. It’s the only choice for people who want an iPhone but can’t afford (or want) to spend more, and also don’t want to buy a used model. Companies buying it as a business phone also won’t care. The AI doesn’t cost Apple anything, because they can use the binned A18s that they would otherwise have to throw away.

 

[turbineseaplane]

As the cheapest iPhone model, the 16e doesn’t need people to find particular value in it. It’s the only choice for people who want an iPhone but can’t afford (or want to) spend more, and also don’t want to buy a used model. Companies buying it as a business phone also won’t care. The AI doesn’t cost Apple anything, because they can use the binned A18s that they would otherwise have to throw away.

I had to LOL a bit ..

"iPhone 16e ... made from stuff we were otherwise going to throw out -- starting at $599!"

 

[klasma]

So, if I got it right you get compared to an iPhone 16:

Worse screen (nits and 60hz);

The iPhone 16 also only has 60 Hz.

 

[klasma]

They can just buy a case with magnets and have MagSafe. No need for another phone, and are already available from several companies.

That’s assuming that you want to use a case. Which most people do, but many also don’t.

 

[Gengar]

I feel like it would’ve been worth its price had they included MagSafe, Wi-Fi 6E, and an Ultra Wideband chip. It’s too gimped at $599.

 

[AndiG]

No one is gonna pay $599 for this phone. Hopefully if the foldable phones comes out in 2026 or 2027 like weve been hearing hopefully that will be in the $400 range.

Apple will demand your first-born and your right kidney as payment for a foldable iPhone - that said, it won“t support next-gen AI.

 

[Mr. Rod]

Product differentiation, that's all.

 

[fotoslayer]

This is just the start of the price hikes. The Trump Tariffs are going into affect so Apple is now pricing their devices accordingly. Acer computer is increasing their devices by 10% next month. Expect $50-$100 price increases for the next series of phones

 

[WarmWinterHat]

No one is gonna pay $599 for this phone. Hopefully if the foldable phones comes out in 2026 or 2027 like weve been hearing hopefully that will be in the $400 range.

Plenty of companies are. Mine is ordering 200-something next month to upgrade people on the 2020 SE.

The SE, and now the 16e, is the only phone offered.

 

[Plerf]

Apple has this uncanny ability to price adjacent tiers of a given product close enough to make the upgrade seem to make sense, but far enough to cause financial pain.

But it won't work on cheapskates like my in-laws who only get the cheapest phone that is "free" with their cellular plan. (They are still using SE3's ... and blaming every problem with their phones on anything and everything except the wear'n'tear that comes with many years of use.)

Yeah. Every time I buy an Apple anything, I find myself almost always torn exactly in half over two options.

Only the 15” MBA was a slam dunk for me in recent times—I really wanted that real estate.

 

[turbineseaplane]

Yeah. Every time I buy an Apple anything, I find myself almost always torn exactly in half over two options.

Only the 15” MBA was a slam dunk for me in recent times—I really wanted that real estate.

For me the, base model Mac Mini M4 was probably the most slam dunk Apple purchase/value of all time

 

[edrozenberg]

It comes down to making it clear to all buyers that this is the crp phone and they should strongly consider giving Apple a lot more money for a better phone that can work with nice magnetic desktop and car mounts instead of garbage clamp mounts from the 1960s.

 

[turbineseaplane]

It comes down to making it clear to all buyers that this is the crp phone and they should strongly consider giving Apple a lot more money for a better phone that can work with nice magnetic desktop and car mounts instead of garbage clamp mounts from the 1960s.

If someone buys a 16e, they should give you a voucher for one of these 😂
"Welcome to the family"

 

[Jovijoker]

Apple knows that 3rd party case makers will make a MagSafe case for the 16e just like they did for the SE 3, so they simply saved those costs and increased there profits. Smart money move Apple 🍎 📱 🧲 💰

and those who prefer to use without cover then?

 

[I7guy]

So, if I got it right you get compared to an iPhone 16:

Worse screen (nits and 60hz);
Worse processor (gpu)
Worse WiFi (WiFi 6 instead of WiFi 6E or 7);
No Mac safe;
Worse 48mp camera (without sensorshift);
No ultrawideband to properly use airdrop;
Worse modem;
Worse Ceramic Shield;
Worse frame;
No camera button.

That’s a big “worse” list for $ 200. At first I thought the iPhone E will eat into the 16 and 16 Pro. But after making a comparison, it actually pushes to pay more for a 16. $ 200 for a big list of things suddenly sounds cheap in Apple land 🤑.

Timmy has been hard at work thinking 💵

That’s your own line in the sand. I’m going to bet the target market for this has a different price to value comparison.

 

[webkit]

So, if I got it right you get compared to an iPhone 16:

Worse screen (nits and 60hz);
Worse processor (gpu)
Worse WiFi (WiFi 6 instead of WiFi 6E or 7);
No Mac safe;
Worse 48mp camera (without sensorshift);
No ultrawideband to properly use airdrop;
Worse modem;
Worse Ceramic Shield;
Worse frame;
No camera button.

That’s a big “worse” list for $ 200. At first I thought the iPhone E will eat into the 16 and 16 Pro. But after making a comparison, it actually pushes to pay more for a 16. $ 200 for a big list of things suddenly sounds cheap in Apple land 🤑.

Or since it is an entry iPhone it will be compared to what the SE had and people will see that the 16e has:

Increased RAM
Better camera setup
Better chip
Better modem
Better battery
Increased max brightness
Super retina XDR display
Apple Intelligence
Dolby Vision
Dolby Atmos
Emergency SOS via satellite
Roadside assistance via satellite
Messages via satellite
Crash detection
Ceramic shield
Larger display
Greater water resistance

...all for just $120 more (with 128GB) and will conclude that there is no need to spend an additional $230 more for the regular 16.

 

[turbineseaplane]

Nobody said anything of the sort. Macrumors speculated it could be pricing and you can speculate that as well. But unless we hear from Apple directly we don’t know the actual reason.

That's why I said "essentially"

If the only definitive proof you'll accept is "if Apple says so", your ask is unrealistic.

They would never say that publicly even if true
You're smart -- you know that

 

[I7guy]

That's why I said "essentially"

If the only definitive proof you'll accept is "if Apple says so", your ask is unrealistic.

They would never say that publicly even if true
You're smart -- you know that

And that’s why I go on record with IMO. It probably is component costs vs margin vs final selling price.

But MagSafe is incredibly useful.

 

[9081094]

Or since it is an entry iPhone it will be compared to what the SE had and people will see that the 16e has:

Increased RAM
Better camera setup
Better chip
Better modem
Better battery
Increased max brightness
Super retina XDR display
Apple Intelligence
Dolby Vision
Dolby Atmos
Emergency SOS via satellite
Roadside assistance via satellite
Messages via satellite
Crash detection
Ceramic shield
Larger display
Greater water resistance

...all for just $120 more (with 128GB) and will conclude that there is no need to spend an additional $230 more for the regular 16.

Well, the SE is dead and this is the newest member to compare. I don’t think they actually still selling the SE. So you can only compare it to the family members.

If you compare iPhones with relics from the past every iPhone begins to shine 😂

 

[9081094]

See the post above yours

Qi @ up to 7.5w is bordering on useless

Well it’s an accomplishment of the 60hz screen. You’ll only see this on iPhones.

 

[BigBellyBelcher]

So nice to have MagSafe in the car just pop the phone on and go. Such a cheap crapple move.

 

[webkit]

Well, the SE is dead and this is the newest member to compare. I don’t think they actually still selling the SE. So you can only compare it to the family members.

If you compare iPhones with relics from the past every iPhone begins to shine 😂

The SE has been discontinued by Apple but is still available at carriers and retailers. Additionally, people who may currently have an SE and are looking to get a new phone will look at Apple's least expensive current offering (the 16e) and see just how much better it is over the SE for just $120 more (with 128GB) and conclude there is no reason to spend an additional $230 above that for the regular 16.

 

[I7guy]

It comes down to making it clear to all buyers that this is the crp phone and they should strongly consider giving Apple a lot more money for a better phone that can work with nice magnetic desktop and car mounts instead of garbage clamp mounts from the 1960s.

Who is going to make it clear to buyers?

 

[cnnyy20p]

The lack of the MagSafe doesn't really matter. You could just buy MagSafe compatible case for the 16e since it's already support wireless charging. The lack of UWB is more in concern since it kicks you out a bit of the ecosystem for precision finding of AirTags. You can still always make them to make a sound, of course. But precision finding is just more convenient.