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iFixit Tears Down the iPhone 17e, Discovers MagSafe Upgrade Path for iPhone 16e Owners

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Repair site iFixit today took apart the iPhone 17e, which is the new low-cost iPhone that Apple launched last Wednesday. The iPhone 17e is almost identical to the iPhone 16e in design, but it does include a MagSafe back panel that supports MagSafe and faster Qi charging than the iPhone 16e.


When disassembling the iPhone 17e, iFixit found that the MagSafe panel for the device is the same size as the panel for the 16e, and the two are interchangeable. You can take a back panel from an iPhone 17e and put it on an iPhone 16e, adding MagSafe to an iPhone 16e.

That could be good news for iPhone users who bought an iPhone 16e and don't want to upgrade just to get MagSafe. iPhone 16e customers may be able to get their hands on an iPhone 17e back panel to make a MagSafe swap, which iFixit says is a big win for repairability. There was a downside with the MagSafe swap because the iPhone 16e doesn't have the built-in software that recognizes MagSafe accessories to provide animations, and it's not yet clear if it charges at the full 15W.

"Cross-compatibility matters," said iFixit. "It makes repairs easier, parts easier to source, and upgrades cheaper."

Apple made day one manuals available for the iPhone 17e, so iFixit knew the front and back panels both come off. The battery can be swapped without having to go through the display, though there's still adhesive to deal with. The iPhone 17e continues to use adhesive for the battery that can be removed with an electrical pulse, which makes battery replacements simpler.

ifixit-iphone-17e-teardown.jpg

Aside from the MagSafe update, the other notable change in the iPhone 17e is the A19 System on Chip that replaces the A18. Apple also swapped out the C1 modem for the new, faster C1X modem, and there's more starting internal storage at 256 GB.

iFixit found that like the MagSafe module, almost all components inside the iPhone 17e and iPhone 16e were interchangeable. It's possible to take an iPhone 16e logic board and put it into an iPhone 17e chassis, with almost no issues registering parts. The TrueDepth camera for Face ID didn't work when swapped from iPhone to iPhone.

While iFixit was happy with the dual entry design and the battery adhesive that releases electrically, the site found the USB-C port was too buried behind components, which will make DIY repairs daunting for people. Apple fixed the USB-C accessibility issue in its main flagship models, but has not made the port easier to get to in the "e" models.

Despite these issues, iFixit awarded points for the parts interchangeability because there's more salvage value and more refurbishment potential. iFixit gave the iPhone 17e a provisional repairability score of 7 out of 10. That's the same score the iPhone 16e got last year, and the same score the iPhone 17 earned.

Article Link: iFixit Tears Down the iPhone 17e, Discovers MagSafe Upgrade Path for iPhone 16e Owners
 
Article Link
https://www.macrumors.com/2026/03/17/ifixit-iphone-17e-teardown/
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ClaraStahlbaum said:
Literally nobody will be doing this. I have the 16e. I don't care about magsafe one bit.
Click to expand...
If I had a 16e and this was the only difference from the 17e, I would do it if available, because I care about MagSafe. However, I also care about the Ceramic Shield 2, so I would more likely upgrade.
 
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klasma said:
If I had a 16e and this was the only difference from the 17e, I would do it if available, because I care about MagSafe. However, I also care about the Ceramic Shield 2, so I would more likely upgrade.
Click to expand...

But why? unless you already shattered your back already.

Doing a back swap, potentially voiding your warranty or worse; to achieve something a $10 phone case can do seems like an odd way to spend a weekend.
 
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klasma said:
If I had a 16e and this was the only difference from the 17e, I would do it if available, because I care about MagSafe. However, I also care about the Ceramic Shield 2, so I would more likely upgrade.
Click to expand...
Some people care about magsafe. I don't. You don't have a 16e, so I don't see what the point of your statement is.
 
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Wait, if my work phone is a 16e, can I buy an iPhone 17e MagSafe case from apple and get sort of MagSafe support? At least charger alignment would be nice instead of having to guess if its centered.
 
I am honestly confused here I got my Dad the 16e when it came out last year. I got him the Anker Magsafe Cube because he liked mine. I got him a UAG case with magsafe. If the phone is docked and sideways it goes to nightstand mode afaik. Did they flip on standby in settings? Or are they saying the downside is the just it doesn't show the charging ring animation?

Unless you are obsessed with having your phone naked this is the same as any case that offers adding magsafe.
 
Good to see the teardown. Think many third party repair shops will now bring MagSafe to 16e. This will definitely void warranty and is probably not the best thing to do. Easier repairs are always nice and good to see this.
 
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DEMinSoCAL said:
Sounds like a huge hassle just to not have to plug in your iPhone to charge.
Click to expand...
It is pretty much the opposite of a huge hassle once you actually look at it.
Replacing the rear glass has never been easier and cheaper.
It's pretty useful in a car and to use those magnetic battery packs, so it's not at all just about not plugging it in to charge. Even though that's a nice-to-have per se. I also like reducing stress on the iPhone's only port and having an alternative to charge it if the USB C breaks, making its repair less urgent.
Also, consider how some people get a broken rear glass and could take replacement as an opportunity to upgrade it.
 
ChromeAce said:
Yeah, literally no one trying to save money buying the cheapest iPhone is going to pay extra to modify it for MagSafe.
Click to expand...
Such a shallow take.
I'll have to inform you that:
- Some people have some money at some point of their life and a different amount later on. Maybe it was the pricier iPhone they could afford at that time.
- Some people do not go through the full spec-list while buying a phone and may have realised they didn't get that feature after buying.
- Some people break their rear glass and may take advantage of the replacement to also get a cool upgrade.
- Some people may think they don't need magsafe while buying their phone and realise it may be good later on.
- Some people may find a cheap used one that'd be great for them except for the lack of magsafe and upgrade it, instead of spending more on a 17e. Maybe saving even more because the rear glass is broken!
 
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cicalinarrot said:
Such a shallow take.
I'll have to inform you that:
- Some people have some money at some point of their life and a different amount later on. Maybe it was the pricier iPhone they could afford at that time.
- Some people do not go through the full spec-list while buying a phone and may have realised they didn't get that feature after buying.
- Some people break their rear glass and may take advantage of the replacement to also get a cool upgrade.
- Some people may think they don't need magsafe while buying their phone and realise it may be good later on.
- Some people may find a cheap used one that'd be great for them except for the lack of magsafe and upgrade it, instead of spending more on a 17e. Maybe saving even more because the rear glass is broken!
Click to expand...
I think @ChromeAce should have said "virtually" instead of "literally", but even with the miniscule percentages of your "some people" a very, very small fraction of those would even have the skills to replace the back cover.

A much easier and cheaper solution for "some people" would be to just buy a magsafe case. Here's one for $10:
a.co

SUPFINE Magnetic iPhone 16e Case - Military Grade Protection

SUPFINE Magnetic for iPhone 17e Case/iPhone 16e Case (Compatible with MagSafe)(Military Grade Drop Protection)Slim Translucent Matte Shockproof with Anti-Fingerprint Phone Cover 2025,Black
a.co

Not sure how many left who just don't like cases on their phone but MUST have Magsafe and want to spend the money and time to get a phone back and pay someone to install it, but I bet it's virtually no one.
 
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DEMinSoCAL said:
Not sure how many left who just don't like cases on their phone but MUST have Magsafe and want to spend the money and time to get a phone back and pay someone to install it, but I bet it's virtually no one.
Click to expand...
I don't think it such a negligeable percentage, but anyway, we're talking about massive sale volumes so I think it may still be a relevant number of people. Not a mainstream solution, but some'll do that.
About cases, the problem is how much they reduce your choice, I wouldn't be very happy with that.

Anyway, I didn't want to say that a lot of people will do that upgrade, it mostly was against the flawed logic in "people who spent less for the iPhone won't spend money on this".
 
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