The new iPhone 16e has a lot going for it, but one surprising shortcoming is its lack of MagSafe support. Some have theorized that Apple’s new C1 modem is the reason, but Apple has just denied that rumor completely.
Apple: C1 modem “is not responsible” for decision to remove MagSafe
Earlier today, Macworld published a piece on Apple’s new C1 modem which had the following comment on MagSafe’s absence from the iPhone 16e:
Sources from the accessories industry have told Macworld that a possible explanation is that the built-in magnets of the MagSafe system apparently interfere with the reliability of Apple’s new C1 5G modem. So it’s possible that Apple had to drop MagSafe in order to ensure the best possible connection for its first-gen 5G modem
This wasn’t the first time I’d heard the theory, and personally I thought it seemed pretty plausible. It could also explain why Apple is not bringing the C1 to its full iPhone 17 lineup, but only the 17 Air which will already come with its share of compromises.
I was a bit worried, to be honest, as I’d hate to lose MagSafe on the otherwise-exciting iPhone 17 Air.
But fortunately, Apple has already formally denied the rumor. The article now contains the following:
Update 11:18am ET: Apple has confirmed to Macworld that the C1 modem is not responsible for the decision to leave MagSafe charging off the new iPhone 16e.
This is great news. Though it does still leave MagSafe’s absence as an open question.
Perhaps Apple was already struggling to get the iPhone 16e’s cost down, and MagSafe’s removal helps. $599 is already more expensive than many of us expected.
Then again, we thought we were getting a new iPhone SE, and that product line has been formally discontinued instead.
9to5Mac’s Take
I don’t know how much cost savings could be attributed to the MagSafe components, so this still feels like a mystery to me.
I also think Apple’s denial leaves open the possibility that the C1 chip is still part of the puzzle.
Maybe the iPhone 16e’s internal design, which is based very much on the existing iPhone 14 design, caused some issues between the C1 and MagSafe. Nothing that can’t and won’t be solved ahead of the C1 coming to the iPhone 17 Air—but that nonetheless pushed Apple one direction for this specific phone.
What do you think of Apple’s statement about the C1 and MagSafe? Let us know in the comments.
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