How else are they going to make a less expensive product without removing features?
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Apple Provides Reason for iPhone 16e's Lack of MagSafe
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This is a phone for customers who had the Se or are still holding in to really old iPhones. Most of the people who will buy this don’t own any MagSafe accessories
As a iPhone 15 Pro Max owner, here’s the absolutely compelling email I got today…
***
Upgrade to the new iPhone 16e.
6.1-inch Super Retina XDR display. Stunning. It runs in the family.
Built for Apple Intelligence. Powered by A18, the latest-generation chip.
Supersized battery life. Up to 26 hours of video playback.4
48MP Fusion camera with 2x Telephoto. Super-high-res photos and 4K video in Dolby Vision.
USB‑C.
Convenient charging and connection.
iOS 18.
Customise. Stylise. Mesmerise.
***
Upgrade to the new iPhone 16e.
6.1-inch Super Retina XDR display. Stunning. It runs in the family.
Built for Apple Intelligence. Powered by A18, the latest-generation chip.
Supersized battery life. Up to 26 hours of video playback.4
48MP Fusion camera with 2x Telephoto. Super-high-res photos and 4K video in Dolby Vision.
USB‑C.
Convenient charging and connection.
iOS 18.
Customise. Stylise. Mesmerise.
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This is majority of people. Outside some tech communites, more tech oriented people barely anyone uses it. That's why that outrage here is even more surprising/funny.
It’s a $600 iPhone, yes, people are going to use MagSafe. Actual sales will tell the tale - not the subsidized kind.
This is the iPhone for my mother or sister who keep their phones for 4 years or longer.
I really can't understand those who say that they can't recommend the 16e to friends or family because of the lack of MagSafe.
If your friend/family member isn't tech savvy enough to buy a phone without your recommendation, then I would doubt they really care about MagSafe.
I am honestly more fussed about the removal of a physical home button. My Dad and Stepmom are in their 80's and it was hard enough getting them comfortable using an iPhone with a home button. Given what I know about their challenges using touchscreen phones in general, I am not looking forward to the possibility of someday trying to teach them how to use a phone that doesn't have a home button. If their phones quit working I will probably try to find a refurbished SE that still has one.
The rest of my family all use iPhones except for one android user. Out of 10 people, I am the only one who uses MagSafe for anything. I've tried to get my wife to use it, but she would just rather stick to using a normal charging cable.
If your friend/family member isn't tech savvy enough to buy a phone without your recommendation, then I would doubt they really care about MagSafe.
I am honestly more fussed about the removal of a physical home button. My Dad and Stepmom are in their 80's and it was hard enough getting them comfortable using an iPhone with a home button. Given what I know about their challenges using touchscreen phones in general, I am not looking forward to the possibility of someday trying to teach them how to use a phone that doesn't have a home button. If their phones quit working I will probably try to find a refurbished SE that still has one.
The rest of my family all use iPhones except for one android user. Out of 10 people, I am the only one who uses MagSafe for anything. I've tried to get my wife to use it, but she would just rather stick to using a normal charging cable.
I wonder how many of these outraged folks are the type to convince the people they know they should buy more expensive tech then they need. I knew for a fact when my partner was shopping for a MacBook for school that the machine I’d buy is overkill for their needs of using Microsoft word and brightspace.
Apple’s explanation sounds logical. This is what I suspected actually. I myself am in this target demographic. I use wired charging only and I don’t care about MagSafe. But of course average Joes here and clickbate YouTubers know better than Apple. Apple only has all the data about the usage and research teams that really study the market needs. But what do they know.
That doesn’t make much sense. I suspect in North America the primary market will be the subsidized market.
Interestingly the 16e is priced the same as refurbished 15 non-Pros here in Canada from more respected sellers.
They can just lower the price. We already have a few premium expensive models. If they realize they need a cheaper product, maybe the existing one, that already used last year’s chip, should be cheaper.
When this iPhone was announced I showed it to a friend who is running with an XR for his daily. We were both stoked for this iPhone. Then the specs came out. While it would have been a nice upgrade from the XR - he was like, A stripped down iPhone for $600 - um, no. Does he use mag safe, no. Does he care about the lack of colors, not really. Does he care about 'Apple Intelligence' or making ai emojis, not at all. While he’s not a fan boy, he does like the iPhone, and just wasn’t interested in this iPhone one bit once the specs came out. I think he’s looking at a refurb 15Pro for the same price rn.
I showed this to my son who is sporting an iPhone 12 and he’s interested even without MagSafe. Different strokes for different folks.
What was it about the specs that turned him off to the 16e?
Before doing that try that accesibility mode or whatever it's called. It simplifies the whole UI, I think there is even software home button (as far as I remember).
I've never used an iPhone case in my life, and I've no intention of doing so any time in future. My phone stays in my shirt pocket, and I don't need any clunky case making it fatter.
The one massive advantage that MagSafe gives me is that I can pop my iPhone (14Pro) onto a MagSafe nightstand and have it automatically switch into "bedside clock" mode.
the decision was deliberate market segmentation...as evidenced by the lack of availability of an official magesafe case as well as the omission from the device itself.
it really makes wireless charging both slow and hit and miss.
a mistake that many reviewers have picked up on and will cost them (some) sales.
it really makes wireless charging both slow and hit and miss.
a mistake that many reviewers have picked up on and will cost them (some) sales.
Ah, good lookin' out. Thanks! I had forgotten about accessibility mode. I'll definitely keep that in mind if that day comes.
what is preventing you from buying the older phones that many 3rd parties still have available if that’s what you prefer? Apple probably will keep the 16e around for a few years
If you have a 14pro I doubt you would replace it with the 16e even if it had MagSafe.
Well obviously this iPhone is not for you. You are not part of the 16e’s target market, and already own a much more expensive iPhone that is literally two price tiers above the 16e tier.
BTW, the vast majority of people use a case on their cell phones, estimated at about 3/4 of users.
