A number of case makers are rising to the challenge and fixing Apple’s most baffling design decision for its latest iPhone.
Apple removed an invisible iPhone feature
Apple’s new iPhone 16e, which starts at $599, is a competitive product against the $799 iPhone 16 and $999 iPhone 16 Pro. Apple effectively reduced the entry cost for using Apple Intelligence by $200.
Apple reached this price by using a less capable camera, less wifi and cellular performance, and dropping the Camera Control from the iPhone 16. Still, iPhone 16e retains the OLED display, starts with 128GB storage, and includes 8GB RAM for supporting Apple Intelligence and better multitasking.
While it supports wireless charging like the iPhone SE that it sort of replaces, Apple made the puzzling decision to not include MagSafe charging.
MagSafe offers a much more reliable and efficient charging experience, and Apple even donated the technology to the wireless charging standards body for the Qi 2 specification.
Since the iPhone 12, iPhones have included this magnetic ring just beneath the back glass for supporting MagSafe charging. MagSafe just seems like the kind of thing that comes with all new iPhones.
Case makers can probably add it back
That’s not the case with the iPhone 16e, however, and the omission doesn’t just affect charging.
Apple’s MagSafe inclusion has also created an industry for iPhone accessories that magnetically attach to the backs of iPhones. Apple once offered an awesome MagSafe battery pack, and it still sells MagSafe card holders.
Other MagSafe accessories include magnetically attached cooling fans, portable storage, and even attachments to improve your iPhone grip. My all-time favorite MagSafe accessory is Belkin’s 3-in-1 wireless charging stand. Giving that up would be a setback.
So where does that leave the iPhone 16e? Apple doesn’t even support MagSafe in its official cases for the new iPhone 16e.
Fortunately, reputable case makers like Spigen are pitching iPhone 16e protective cases that include MagSafe as part of the design. While MagSafe won’t make the case fit more snug, it should at least restore the option to attach a grip or wallet. As for MagSafe battery packs, that’s anyone’s guess for now.
iPhone 16e hits stores on Friday, February 28, 2025.
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