Key Takeaways
1. The iPhone 16e features a significant redesign with flat edges, thinner bezels, a notch, and an Action Button.
2. It supports magnetic wireless charging at 7.5W but does not include the MagSafe ring for secure accessory attachment.
3. Apple claims the lack of MagSafe is not a major issue for the target audience, as they primarily use charging cables.
4. The absence of MagSafe is seen as a missed opportunity, given its importance in Apple’s accessory ecosystem.
5. The iPhone 16e is priced at $599 for the 128GB model in the US, with higher options available, and starts at ₹59,999 in India.
Apple has begun the shipping of the iPhone 16e, which is the new version of the iPhone SE (3rd Gen) starting today. This release features a significant redesign.
New Design Features
The updated budget iPhone moves away from the old style of its predecessor, embracing flat edges, thinner bezels, a notch, and even includes an Action Button. However, despite the iPhone 16e finally matching the modern iPhone aesthetic, it’s surprisingly lacking a feature that seems illogical: MagSafe.
Charging Limitations
The iPhone 16e supports magnetic wireless charging, but only at 7.5W. Importantly, it doesn’t have the MagSafe ring that allows accessories and chargers to attach securely. Apple claims that this missing feature isn’t a big deal for the intended users of the 16e. An unnamed Apple spokesperson told Daring Fireball’s John Gruber that “most people in the 16e’s target audience only charge their phones by plugging them into a charging cable.”
A Missed Opportunity
While that may have been a valid point a few years back, today, MagSafe is everywhere—not just for charging, but also as an essential part of Apple’s accessory ecosystem. Omitting it from a 2025 iPhone feels like a strange choice. For a device that aims to make the iPhone experience accessible to a broader audience, Apple sure chose an odd feature to eliminate.
Alternative Solutions
There is a workaround, however, for those who still want the MagSafe functionality. You can purchase a MagSafe-compatible case, which won’t increase charging speed but will allow you to use MagSafe accessories without any hassle.
The iPhone 16e is priced at $599 in the US for the 128GB version, and it goes up to $899 for the 512GB model. In India, it starts at ₹59,999 and reaches ₹89,900 at the top end.
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