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

[i-Liam]

To release such a heap of garbage like the 16e for such a ridiculously high price, is insane.

I’m certain that the 16e will be the biggest flop in iPhone history.

 

[pksv]

To release such a heap of garbage like the 16e for such a ridiculously high price, is insane.

I’m certain that the 16e will be the biggest flop in iPhone history.

I can almost guarantee that it won't. But it will sell differently than you think. It will be the king of subscription sales, it will be the king of Amazon sales (in a few months), the king of discounts, the king of phones for kids and teenagers. You just have to understand and accept that you are not the target customer.

 

[Compote]

So why so much expectation for the cheapest iPhone to have it when even the most expensive Android phones does not? It's funny that suddently Magsafe is a dealbreaker.

Newsflash : Android phones are not iPhones. That no one is doing Qi2 on Android has no bearing on the desirability of Magsafe on iPhone. I would explain in length why you're being silly and illogical, but seeing your remarks in the first place, it wouldn't help much.

I don't care for the magsafe charging, but having the magnet for stands and holders is useful for everyone.

Yes. And those do induction charging anyway. In fact, if there is a power outlet where the stand is, it'd be dumb not to plug the stand in. But some people seem to go out of their way NOT to use a feature that is readily available and accessible.
The person quoted before you doesn't understand Magsafe and why it's a core feature of the Apple experience.
The ones who say it's not useful are the ones not using it in the first place. To those, I say it like Kylie: get out of my way.
And as the article shows, they are trying to circumvent the lack of Magsafe with grooves that let the 16e fall flat on its face.

I have predicted that the lack of Magsage and UW1 chips will lead to BREAKAGE and MISPLACEMENT, costing suckers even more than if they had bought the 16 base model in the first place. Watch the Youtube shorts happen where people complain about inadvertantly smashing their phone.

EDIT : and finally, If you can't make a cheaper phone without sacrificing core features, maybe said phone does not deserve to be made. That's what Steve Jobs said about eeePC, that he didn't know how to make a Netbook that didn't suck, that's why they came late to that market with the Macbook Air, and that's why today the notion of a 11inch or 12 inch Macbook seems ludicrous.

Because it’s a consolation for the loss of Lightning.

eta: I don’t think most of the vocal iPhone fans critiquing the lack of magsafe on the 16e care one whit about what is standard on Android, but I could be wrong.

No one misses nor will miss Lightning. Lightning should have died 7 years ago with the advent of USB-C.

 

[pksv]

Newsflash : Android phones are not iPhones. That no one is doing Qi2 on Android has no bearing on the desirability of Magsafe on iPhone.

So why are cheaper Android phones being brought into the picture?

I would explain in length why you're being silly and illogical, but seeing your remarks in the first place, it wouldn't help much.
...
The person quoted before you doesn't understand Magsafe and why it's a core feature of the Apple experience.

You are condescending and aggressive just because someone dares to point out that it is normal that the cheapest phone in the lineup will be stripped down of some functions. Touch grass mate.

 

[Compote]

So why are cheaper Android phones being brought into the picture?


You are condescending and aggressive just because someone dares to point out that it is normal that the cheapest phone in the lineup will be stripped down of some functions. Touch grass mate.

I might be agressive, but you are the one who's condescending. If I hold a mirror to your contradictions, the problem is the contradiction, not the mirror.

Androids are mentionned, because a Galaxy S24 has three great cameras, AI features that are ready and available, a bright Oled Screen, a punch-hole camera and no notch, more ram, and comes cheaper. The Pixel 9 can also be found for less.
Both are at the start of a 7-year support cycle.

The 16e is a sorry excuse for a phone, and people wouldn't mention Magsafe, if that determining feature wasn't missing.

Apple made the stupid mistake of losing the one differentiating, essential feature that would keep people from even considering Androids : core features, and affordability.

You get all the bells and whistles Apple won't give you, for cheaper, if you get an Android.

I'll get an android, for the first time in my life. I'm the "audience" (iPhone 11 day-one adopter). Meaning I was flexible with the iPhone 11 missing OLED and 5G, which were NOT CORE, ESTABLISHED FEATURES of the iPhone experience.

It stung that 3D Touch was missing, the reason why I didn't get a Xr in the first place, but that too was being remove accross the lineup.

Apple broke the iPhone core feature set with the 16e, segmented its own market, shut consumers out of their ecosystem of accessories, inventing a brand new stupid way of pricing out customers. As in : "oh no, Find My isn't for you, love. It's included in all our recent Airpods, just not for you, eat dung you iPhone16e sucker". They dropped the ball, stepped in the ball, crashed their forehead on the hard concrete. The 16e a catastrophic FAILURE, because THIS 14-year straight Apple fanboy who owns Airpods, a Watch, a Macbook, an iPad, will be buying his first android. That's how much Apple SUCKS.
They had no economic reason to do so (who's gonna use ****ing satellite calls???, who's gonna be in a car crash in the next 5 years??? and by the way my Watch does that -- and do I HAVE to own a FREAKING CAR JUST IN CASE I'M in an accident when I'm supposedly too poor to afford Magsafe?). None of that makes sense from Apple.
There was no reason OR justification to lowball their faithful consumers when WAY BETTER Androids are out there.
They broke the camel's back because they've been acting borderline for a decade now slowly alienating their base (iPhone 6 batterygate, no OLED/Charger/5G/3DTouch in the 11, etc.).

It's a price you can't ignore, indeed.
But what I also cannot ignore is that Apple tries to make a phone that was as bad as an Android, for way more money.

APPLE HATES YOU FOR KEEPING YOUR PHONE MORE THAN 2 YEARS, and WANTS TO PUNISH YOU FOR IT.
Apple doesn't get that people like me are ready to spend 900 euros IF it means I can make my phone last and get my money's worth. It was ALWAYS the plan for me to keep my iPhone11 for 5 years, and then upgrade.
But now the entry level iPhone (NOT the 16e, the 16) is 1100 for the same market positionning as my 11 5 years ago (with 256GB).

So I'll follow Apple's cue that they don't want my business, since they brought to my attention that their product was a scam, and take my business elsewhere.

There, I've explained it to you in length.

 

[The-Real-Deal82]

I mean, I don't charge my 16 Pro Max, neither did I charge my 13 Pro Max via MagSafe, but its handy to have for holders and accessories.

I remember when the iPhone 12 was released, Apple did encourage people to use their old cables for charging and it seems like most have listened to this. Most people I know still charge via cables regardless.

 

[pksv]

I might be agressive, but you are the one who's condescending. If I hold a mirror to your contradictions, the problem is the contradiction, not the mirror.

...

There, I've explained it to you in length.

It's amazing how emotional your post is. It's clear that you are not the target customer of the 16e and it seems that adding 200 euros to the 16 would solve all your problems.

As for your attacks on me, I won't even respond to them, I don't see any further point.

 

[tomtad]

There isn't a 'reason', it's pure and simply a marketing decision. A bit like how the regular iPhone has a 60hz display.

If you use or want MagSafe, essentially premium wireless charging, you get the more expensive iPhone. And Apple will be perfectly fine with that.

 

[i-Liam]

I can almost guarantee that it won't. But it will sell differently than you think. It will be the king of subscription sales, it will be the king of Amazon sales (in a few months), the king of discounts, the king of phones for kids and teenagers. You just have to understand and accept that you are not the target customer.

We shall see.

 

[Johnny Applesuede]

No one misses nor will miss Lightning. Lightning should have died 7 years ago with the advent of USB-C.

Hi! I purchased the 4S, 5S, 6S, and SE2020 (which is my current phone). I will miss the lightning port. It is a superior jack for charging. The components are stronger. It is easier to clean lint out of it. And all my phone charging cables are lightning. All other iPhones switched to USB-C After adding magsafe. It makes sense to also add it to the “E” line as it downgrades to USB-C.

 

[oldmacs]

No one is "defending" it, just explaining to you and others that it's obvious that entry level iPhone will not have some features that more expensive have. Simple as that.

Yes, yes many here are defending it.

I am saying that the entry level iPhone when priced as high as the 16e is, should be missing LESS features, that Apple's justification is a poor justification, and that such cost cutting moves by Apple are indicative that customer experience (in general) is moving further and further down on the priority list - this is just one example of this.

Does Pixel have Magsafe/qi2 with magnets?

Nope, but neither do the other Pixels, so it's not like MagSafe isn't there because Google is skimping. I brought it up, as it is over $300 cheaper and has other features the 16e is missing and flys in the face of people justifying the lack of MagSafe because the 16e an 'affordable' phone.

Yes, the 16e is the entry to the iPhone range, but that doesn't mean it's an affordable phone, or one that Apple should be compromising user experience on.

 

[Andy69]

Our target audience doesn't use MagSafe but we will over charge them $100 from the se model or cheaper iPhone they have for less features

 

[carrrrrlos]

What was it about the specs that turned him off to the 16e?

The price for the 16e jumped to $700 for comparable storage on his existing iPhone + the lack of Magsafe. He holds onto his phones for as long as he can, and didn’t want to buy an iPhone model that was most likely going to get a MagSafe bump in a year.

 

[pksv]

Yes, yes many here are defending it.

Quote it, because I haven't seen anyone "defending it". But I've seen a lot of comments that say it's not a big deal or that they don't charge that way anyway or that just "it is what it is."

I am saying that the entry level iPhone when priced as high as the 16e is, should be missing LESS features, that Apple's justification is a poor justification, and that such cost cutting moves by Apple are indicative that customer experience (in general) is moving further and further down on the priority list - this is just one example of this.

Sure, it would be nice if it had that magsafe, there's no doubt about it, but it is what it is. The suggestions that people have given here to cut costs, such as an LCD screen instead of OLED, a smaller battery, no C1, I think are much worse than no Magsafe, which you can solve for literally 50 cents by buying a magnetic ring sticker or $18 case like this one:

Top HaloLock Classic Hybrid MagSafe Case for iPhone 16e | ESR

Lightweight and stylish with a tough acrylic back for long-lasting clarity and ultra protection for the iPhone 16e.

www.esrtech.com

People are just blowing it out of the proportion.

Nope, but neither do the other Pixels, so it's not like MagSafe isn't there because Google is skimping. I brought it up, as it is over $300 cheaper and has other features the 16e is missing and flys in the face of people justifying the lack of MagSafe because the 16e an 'affordable' phone.

You're wrong, Google is skimping on it across the entire lineup. If you think it's about something other than saving money, you're wrong. From 2023, this standard with certification is already available, they could implement it for "better user experience" right?

Yes, the 16e is the entry to the iPhone range, but that doesn't mean it's an affordable phone, or one that Apple should be compromising user experience on.

It's not a budget phone, that's for sure, it's just budget iPhone. Buy that 18 dollar case and user experience is no longer compromised.

https://aliexpress.com/item/1005006143355208.html

 

[Mainsail]

The price for the 16e jumped to $700 for comparable storage on his existing iPhone + the lack of Magsafe. He holds onto his phones for as long as he can, and didn’t want to buy an iPhone model that was most likely going to get a MagSafe bump in a year.

From a spec perspective, not sure I get the issue with storage, since both the 16+ and 16e have the same base storage and charge the same for a bump in storage. It seems like the 16e's specs (processor, storage, camera, battery life, etc.) are pretty good and would be a big step up for the target market. If you go to the Apple's 16e page, the comparison kind of reveals the target market as people with iPhone SEs or people with iPhones 11/12.

I get MagSafe, if that is important to the buyer. It wouldn't be important to me, but maybe there is a small segment of the target market mentioned above that cares. I suspect Apple looks into these things before they invest millions and millions into tooling, supply chain, and marketing of a new iPhone.

 

[geta]

From a spec perspective, not sure I get the issue with storage, since both the 16+ and 16e have the same base storage and charge the same for a bump in storage. It seems like the 16e's specs (processor, storage, camera, battery life, etc.) are pretty good and would be a big step up for the target market. If you go to the Apple's 16e page, the comparison kind of reveals the target market as people with iPhone SEs or people with iPhones 11/12.

I get MagSafe, if that is important to the buyer. It wouldn't be important to me, but maybe there is a small segment of the target market mentioned above that cares. I suspect Apple looks into these things before they invest millions and millions into tooling, supply chain, and marketing of a new iPhone.

As a SE user i’m part of their target customers, and I like the new 16e except 3 things - screen size, FaceID and price… so for now I’ll continue to use my SE.

 

[carrrrrlos]

From a spec perspective, not sure I get the issue with storage, since both the 16+ and 16e have the same base storage and charge the same for a bump in storage. It seems like the 16e's specs (processor, storage, camera, battery life, etc.) are pretty good and would be a big step up for the target market. If you go to the Apple's 16e page, the comparison kind of reveals the target market as people with iPhone SEs or people with iPhones 11/12.

I get MagSafe, if that is important to the buyer. It wouldn't be important to me, but maybe there is a small segment of the target market mentioned above that cares. I suspect Apple looks into these things before they invest millions and millions into tooling, supply chain, and marketing of a new iPhone.

Apple’s research is not perfect. Pretty sure they missed the mark on this one. Time will tell - and if the next 'e' version has MagSafe, we’ll know they made another oops.

 

[Mainsail]

Apple’s research is not perfect. Pretty sure they missed the mark on this one. Time will tell - and if the next 'e' version has MagSafe, we’ll know they made another oops.

I agree time will tell. I disagree that if the next “e” has MagSafe that necessarily means it was a mistake with this iteration. Inevitably, features will be added to the lower tier devices. So, adding MagSafe down the road to the bottom tier product is pretty much a given at some point…..even if it is the next iteration.

 

[Diode]

I'm curious. Which case brand?

I was considering buying a MagSafe case for my kid's XR.

One of the generic ones from Amazon. FNTCASE was the brand but there are dozens like it.

Even my charger that "holds" it works fine

 

[sunman42]

Sort of. It’s called product differentiation. Those people for whom the convenience and speed of MagSafe charging are important will (Apple hopes) be upsold to a “real” 16 model, while those who have an older Model SE, or just want a bigger screen, and are used to slower charging, probably with a cable, will (again, Apple hopes) buy the 16e…. which (Apple hopes) will serve as a gateway drug to something bigger in two or three years. We have a price point for everybody….as long as they can cough up at least $599 plus locally applicable taxes.