Apple Provides Reason for iPhone 16e's Lack of MagSafe

[MacRumors]

Apple has offered a reason why the iPhone 16e doesn't include MagSafe, one of the more notable omissions from its latest entry-level smartphone.

According to Apple representatives who spoke to Daring Fireball's John Gruber, MagSafe is not included in the iPhone 16e because "most people in the iPhone 16e's target audience exclusively charge their phones by plugging them into a charging cable."

These users apparently tend not to use wireless charging at all, and when they do use it, Apple believes the slower 7.5W Qi charging speed compared to MagSafe's faster rates isn't a deciding factor for the customer segment it is targeting with the more affordable device.

Introduced with the iPhone 12 lineup in 2020, MagSafe uses magnets embedded in the back of compatible iPhones to align wireless chargers and attach accessories. The technology allows for faster wireless charging (up to 15W on most models and 25W on newer Pro models) compared to standard Qi wireless charging, which is limited to 7.5W on iPhones.

• iPhone 16e Launches Today With These New Features

Apple has developed a whole ecosystem of MagSafe accessories including cases, wallets, battery packs, and mounts. The magnetic alignment ensures an optimal charging position and makes attaching accessories more convenient.

When the iPhone 16e was announced, there was some speculation that its new C1 modem might have interfered with MagSafe functionality, but Apple has already confirmed that this wasn't the case. Backing up Apple's claim, a prominent iPhone case manufacturer also told MacRumors that its testing confirmed that MagSafe cases don't impact the C1 modem's performance.

The iPhone 16e continues the trend set by its predecessor, the now-discontinued iPhone SE, which also lacked MagSafe connectivity. However, the 16e is the first iPhone in Apple's flagship smartphone lineup to omit this feature since its introduction. For users who prefer the convenience of MagSafe, some third-party iPhone 16e cases include built-in magnets, but they won't enable faster charging speeds.

Interestingly, IT Home reports that Apple retail stores have had to create a workaround for displaying the iPhone 16e with wireless charging that prevents the device from slipping off its display dock. Apple is using a special docking station that includes a bottom groove that holds the device upright, enabling wireless charging during demonstrations. This custom dock only activates charging when the phone is placed vertically – if you place it horizontally, the iPhone falls off.

Apple's decision to exclude MagSafe from the iPhone 16e may be a cost-cutting measure. But as Gruber notes, "I think Apple knows the 16e's intended audience better than I do," suggesting the company has done its market research on what features matter most to the target buyers of this device.

Article Link: Apple Provides Reason for iPhone 16e's Lack of MagSafe

 

[L92]

Translation: Margins, man.

 

[brofkand]

it’s still a stupid decision and saved them what, a nickel per unit? Apple is in a new Spindler era and needs new leadership.

 

[Havalo]

it’s still a stupid decision and saved them what, a nickel per unit? Apple is in a new Spindler era and needs new leadership.

To Timothy, every penny counts, my friend. 😁

 

[AlexStudios]

Let’s give it a few years and see what happens… 😂

 

[abatabia]

Research or not why not just be generous for ONCE and include it as an option? Come on, Apple. For once stop thinking with your margins. A petty move.

 

[darthbane2k]

So Apple electively chose to freeze 16E users from their very lucrative accessory market? I dont buy it.

I would retort with a counter argument that the iPhone 16e's target audience wouldn't give a damn about an OLED screen or Satellite Calling.

 

[tubular]

In my case, they’re right. I don’t see lack of MagSafe as a dealbreaker. I’ll be picking up mine tomorrow.

 

[mikethebigo]

I heard the magnets could be a problem for the C1 modem, and that Qualcomm has done a lot of work to figure that out. That explanation makes a lot more sense to me than cost cutting.

 

[Jarman74]

According to Apple representatives who spoke to Daring Fireball's John Gruber, MagSafe is not included in the iPhone 16e because "most people in the iPhone 16e's target audience exclusively charge their phones by plugging them into a charging cable."

These users apparently tend not to use wireless charging at all, and when they do use it, Apple believes the slower 7.5W Qi charging speed compared to MagSafe's faster rates isn't a deciding factor for the customer segment it is targeting with the more affordable device.

Well, if you want to play this game... those people were also likely happy with their audio jack, but apparently this didn't prevent Apple from removing it.

 

[macman01101]

This feels like a DEI paradox. Good one Apple.

 

[Mr_Ed]

In other words, “we know a whole lot of people will look at MagSafe and camera alone and rationalize spending $200 more on the next model up.”

 

[Sheepish-Lord]

Blame the customer…nice. How the hell do you know the “market” aka poor people, don’t use magsafe chargers?

 

[dannyyankou]

Here’s a hot take, but I don’t see it as a big deal that a device that’s $200 cheaper lacks a feature. Whoa, crazy, I know.

Anyway, this is nothing new across the industry. Hell, OnePlus’s budget 12R phone lacks wireless charging altogether.

 

[tubular]

Sometimes this place starts to sound like a Porsche forum talking about Hondas, just absolutely unable to understand why everybody doesn't buy a Porsche, and convinced that everyone who *doesn't* buy a Porsche is either an ignoramus or silently weeping bitter tears about not having done so.

 

[EugW]

My wife has the iPhone 14 Pro Max and at home never asked for MagSafe. She just uses Lightning. Yes she knows what MagSafe is. I put a MagSafe charger in the car for her and while she does use it now, the phone just sits on the passenger seat or in the cup holder in the center console. The MagSafe adapter is not mounted anywhere, because she just doesn’t care. She’d be perfectly happy to plug the phone in if I had left her lightning cable there.

 

[DesertNomad]

In my case, they’re right. I don’t see lack of MagSafe as a dealbreaker. I’ll be picking up mine tomorrow.

I agree. The deal breaker for me is no SIM slot. I have a physical SIM from Europe that I need to keep active for banking and there is no easy way to convert it to an eSIM.

 

[lkrupp]

If Apple’s customer surveys and data are correct then it is yet another example of the disconnect between the techie wannabe crowd and real people. In the fantasy world of the techie wannabes Apple devices should immediately adopt any and all “new” technology. If the latest product doesn’t have features or hardware that just got out of the lab then it’s a miserable failure.

After fifty years of existence I think Apple knows who its customers are and it’s not the crowd in these forums.

 

[Mac Fly (film)]

I heard the magnets could be a problem for the C1 modem, and that Qualcomm has done a lot of work to figure that out. That explanation makes a lot more sense to me than cost cutting.

No, the real reason is Apple's corporate culture of greed, and the up-sell.

 

[lkrupp]

I heard the magnets could be a problem for the C1 modem, and that Qualcomm has done a lot of work to figure that out. That explanation makes a lot more sense to me than cost cutting.

Apple has officially stated otherwise. But then the denizens of forums like this one always believe Apple is lying.

 

[lkrupp]

No, the real reason is Apple's corporate culture of greed, and the up-sell.

So who are you buying your tech from these days?

 

[iGüey]

I will talk just by myself. I have a 16 Pro which obviously have MagSafe and honestly I don’t care, I charge it with a cable.

 

[Nozuka]

Can't be that important to people, when most Android phones still release without it, even though it is part of QI2.

Even the new Galaxy S25 doesn't have it and you need to add it with a case...


The absence of UWB bothers me more, since more and more cars will use it for opening the car...

 

[WarmWinterHat]

Get a magsafe case and move on with your life..

I've never personally charged with magsafe... I don't see any advantage over just plugging my phone in at night. I do, however, use a magsafe wallet and popsocket

 

[emmab2006]

Margins ? No.. The Poorer side of our target market cant afford magsafe. so lets price them out of a key feature the iphone has had for years.