Apple explains why the iPhone 16e doesnt have MagSafe

After months of speculation, Apple has finally officially introduced the newest member of the iPhone 16 series, the iPhone 16e. It is, in fact, a replacement for the decade-old iPhone SE. At $599, the iPhone 16e is no longer a true budget iPhone, but it is still a compelling option compared to the standard iPhone 16, which starts at $799.

The iPhone 16e shares some of the same core components as Apple's premium iPhones, including the A18 chip and 6.1-inch Super Retina XDR OLED display. However, Apple has decided to remove MagSafe from this budget iPhone. At first, this decision is not surprising, as the previous iPhone SE did not have MagSafe. However, the real reason behind it may surprise many people.

According to a report from Daring Fireball, an Apple representative revealed that the company's internal statistics show that "most users in the target audience of the iPhone 16e only charge their phones by plugging in the charger" instead of using the MagSafe wireless charger.

In other words, Apple seems to believe that the majority of iPhone 16e buyers won't have a need for wireless charging, and if they do, "they probably won't care that the iPhone 16e is limited to 7.5W Qi charging speeds, while recent higher-end iPhones can charge via MagSafe at 15W or even 25W." The slower charging speeds could be inconvenient for some users.

What’s interesting is how Apple concluded that someone spending $600 on a phone doesn’t use or need fast wireless charging. The company has also dismissed rumors that its in-house C1 modem interferes with MagSafe’s performance.

In addition to faster wireless charging, MagSafe also brings more convenience to charging your iPhone. If you’re an iPhone 16e buyer who wants to use MagSafe, you can opt for third-party cases and accessories. However, keep in mind that charging speeds will be limited to 7.5W, which makes charging slower and less convenient.