Apple Provides Reason for iPhone 16e's Lack of MagSafe
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thejadedmonkey
macrumors G3
By that logic they should probably get rid of it from the 16 and 16 Pro models too, because not everybody uses it.
pksv
macrumors 6502a
People here seems that cannot look outside their tech bubble.
The key to understanding: 16E is a budget phone in the iPhone line. I hope I helped.
contacos
macrumors 603
I asked ChatGPT for the real answer by removing the marketing BS from the statement made by Apple:
You're right to be skeptical—Apple's explanation is mostly marketing spin. The real reason the iPhone 16e doesn't have MagSafe likely comes down to **cost-cutting and product differentiation.**
### **The Real Reasons:**
1. **Keeping Costs Down** – MagSafe requires extra components (magnets, alignment tech, and a better charging coil), which increase manufacturing costs. By removing it, Apple can **reduce production expenses** and maintain profit margins on a lower-priced device.
2. **Upselling to Higher Models** – If MagSafe were included, the iPhone 16e would be **too similar** to the more expensive models. Apple wants to **push customers toward pricier iPhones** where MagSafe (and better wireless charging speeds) is available.
3. **Accessory Sales Strategy** – MagSafe is tied to **Apple’s ecosystem of accessories** (like chargers, wallets, and battery packs). By limiting MagSafe to premium models, Apple ensures that customers who care about these accessories **buy more expensive iPhones.**
### **Why Apple's Statement is Misleading:**
- Apple claims **iPhone 16e users "prefer wired charging,"** but in reality, most people just use whatever is available. If MagSafe were included, many would probably use it.
- Apple has a history of **removing features from cheaper models to push upgrades** (like how the iPhone SE lacks an OLED display or multiple cameras).
### **Bottom Line:**
Apple left MagSafe out **not because people don’t want it, but because they want to keep costs low and push customers toward pricier models.**
You're right to be skeptical—Apple's explanation is mostly marketing spin. The real reason the iPhone 16e doesn't have MagSafe likely comes down to **cost-cutting and product differentiation.**
### **The Real Reasons:**
1. **Keeping Costs Down** – MagSafe requires extra components (magnets, alignment tech, and a better charging coil), which increase manufacturing costs. By removing it, Apple can **reduce production expenses** and maintain profit margins on a lower-priced device.
2. **Upselling to Higher Models** – If MagSafe were included, the iPhone 16e would be **too similar** to the more expensive models. Apple wants to **push customers toward pricier iPhones** where MagSafe (and better wireless charging speeds) is available.
3. **Accessory Sales Strategy** – MagSafe is tied to **Apple’s ecosystem of accessories** (like chargers, wallets, and battery packs). By limiting MagSafe to premium models, Apple ensures that customers who care about these accessories **buy more expensive iPhones.**
### **Why Apple's Statement is Misleading:**
- Apple claims **iPhone 16e users "prefer wired charging,"** but in reality, most people just use whatever is available. If MagSafe were included, many would probably use it.
- Apple has a history of **removing features from cheaper models to push upgrades** (like how the iPhone SE lacks an OLED display or multiple cameras).
### **Bottom Line:**
Apple left MagSafe out **not because people don’t want it, but because they want to keep costs low and push customers toward pricier models.**
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iGüey
macrumors 6502a
Actually a lot of people here at MR were asking for a much more clean iPhone back without the protrude bulky cameras, so maybe what you point out as a disadvantage, will be indeed something very appealing to a lot of people.
klasma
macrumors G3
The Action button drives AI use, which in turn will drive Apple service revenue, much better than one-time accessory sales. Or at least I can imagine that's what some Apple managers are thinking.
goonie4life9
macrumors 6502a
That's right, folks, MagSafe is OLD NEWS! The ALL NEW iPhone 16e is another great example of Apple skating to where the puck will be. Charging using super fast USB-C is tomorrow's technology, today. The era of fast charging is here!
pksv
macrumors 6502a
Even more stunning is people expecting budget/entry device having all the features of a more expensive one in the lineup.
Timo_Existencia
macrumors 68000
This forum is getting more and more unhinged.
OF COURSE Apple shaved options in its least expensive iPhone 16. OF COURSE! How this is somehow controversial is a function of the oddity of MacRumors, not the oddity of business.
You people crack me up. So many of you critique Apple as though it is a government program that owes you things.
OF COURSE Apple shaved options in its least expensive iPhone 16. OF COURSE! How this is somehow controversial is a function of the oddity of MacRumors, not the oddity of business.
You people crack me up. So many of you critique Apple as though it is a government program that owes you things.
The rhetoric from the public around the 16e has been ridiculous. People seem to expect Apple to just give them a 16 for cheaper. Why would they do that? The 16e was always going to have compromises and a target market for whom those compromises are not deal breakers. Some people think that if it matters a lot to them, it must matter a lot to everyone.
There is the same tone-deafness around the price, with sites recommending to pay "$200 more" for the 16, and "what about these great carrier deals on the 16?" They miss the point that people in the market for a cheap iPhone 1) are not on the expensive plans that get good deals and 2) don't have a recent mainline iPhone to take advantage of a trade-in. T-Mobile was offering me only $250 for a trade-in of my SE2 (16 or 16e, didn't matter) on my old SimpleChoice plan. If I wanted a better trade-in, I'd have to be paying 2x as much for their 5G Next plan (and be locked into it for the next two years to get back all the bill credits), which is ridiculous.
Right now, I'm hoping to get the 16e by switching to Visible. $600 off through bill credits, 0% financing available, AND Visible+ seems like better service than I'm getting from T-Mobile now. I just haven't 100% confirmed that they will provide the same deal for the 256GB 16e as the 128GB and whether or not it can be paired with their current $35/month/line deal for Visible+. If I can't get 256GB, I may look elsewhere. If the plan deal can't be paired, then my monthly bill would go from "great savings vs T-Mobile" to just "slight savings". Disappointing, but not the end of the world.
There is the same tone-deafness around the price, with sites recommending to pay "$200 more" for the 16, and "what about these great carrier deals on the 16?" They miss the point that people in the market for a cheap iPhone 1) are not on the expensive plans that get good deals and 2) don't have a recent mainline iPhone to take advantage of a trade-in. T-Mobile was offering me only $250 for a trade-in of my SE2 (16 or 16e, didn't matter) on my old SimpleChoice plan. If I wanted a better trade-in, I'd have to be paying 2x as much for their 5G Next plan (and be locked into it for the next two years to get back all the bill credits), which is ridiculous.
Right now, I'm hoping to get the 16e by switching to Visible. $600 off through bill credits, 0% financing available, AND Visible+ seems like better service than I'm getting from T-Mobile now. I just haven't 100% confirmed that they will provide the same deal for the 256GB 16e as the 128GB and whether or not it can be paired with their current $35/month/line deal for Visible+. If I can't get 256GB, I may look elsewhere. If the plan deal can't be paired, then my monthly bill would go from "great savings vs T-Mobile" to just "slight savings". Disappointing, but not the end of the world.
kerr
macrumors 6502a
Most people in the iPhone 16e's target audience don't want to pay $700+ for a ******* budget phone.
pksv
macrumors 6502a
It is defo entertaining to read 😁
Timo_Existencia
macrumors 68000
Then they won't, right? There is zero reason to be outraged here. Zero. You either buy the phone or you don't.
And in the US, the price is $599, not $700+. And can you point me to any marketing by apple that calls the 16e a budget phone?
Un. Hinged.
In Apple world, sure $600 is a "budget device", but we are talking about a ring magnet on the back of the phone. This cut is about as petty as I can remember from Apple and slicing out people who might be interested in getting accessories for it afterwards. This is a much different product than the SE had been for the past 5 years, thus acurrately dropping the SE line for this new "E" model.
The stand stunt they are pulling in the stores is all the evidence you need that Apple is trying to present this as the "Latest iPhone. Greatest Price" by literally placing it on a different display makes the whole thing look ridiculous.
The reviews pointing out the lack of MagSafe as a negative are on point.
mikethebigo
macrumors 68020
According to Apple PR.
Fair point. I was thinking purely from a cost perspective that one camera lens is less expensive than two. And, I am sure there are some people that will find a single camera more than satisfactory, and will like the cleaner iPhone back. I guess the point is that trade-offs to save cost may seem like a big deal to some, but to others might not be an issue at all.
I go to all day conventions and MagSafe is great when you need a portable boost at the end of the day (night time). Just slap a MagSafe battery pack on and keep on taking photos and videos.
Timo_Existencia
macrumors 68000
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I mean just read this paragraph from the main post in this thread:
"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."
If you didn't know any better you would think it would be from the onion and not MacRumors.com
"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."
If you didn't know any better you would think it would be from the onion and not MacRumors.com
sunapple
macrumors 68040
This is the first time I’ve heard anyone argue on these forums that Apple’s pricing is on par with the competition. Within the tech space Apple is expensive.But Apple is not that more expensive. It's on par with comparable devices. You can argue Apple is premium brand but definitely it's NOT luxury brand.
Luxury Brand: Definition, Characteristics & Examples
A luxury brand is a brand that is characterized by a high level of quality, exclusivity and high price tags.www.retaildogma.com
Besides, original poster could as well have meant to say premium. The point is if you’d associate this brand with cost cutting measures.
Apple spokesperson Bill Phillips explained "We performed a detailed consumer analysis and determined that that this innovative move would allow us to both save a little bit in margins while also allowing us to serve some of our customers better by nudging them to buy the phone at the next higher price tier by providing this feature only at that tier."
/s
/s
Timo_Existencia
macrumors 68000
There are people on this forum whose blood pressure has risen because the iPhone 16e doesn't have magsafe.
This is the world we live in. 🤣
This is the world we live in. 🤣