The new iPhone 16e has many advantages, although it is not without its drawbacks – for example, the smartphone lacks the MagSafe magnetic mount, which is convenient to use for wireless charging and connecting accessories. There were suggestions that Apple decided to take this step due to the debut of its own modem C1, but the company denied this version.
Image source: apple.com
The hypothesis that the Apple C1 5G modem is involved in the lack of a MagSafe mount on the iPhone 16e was put forward by some iPhone accessory manufacturers, and Macworld reported on this. According to their assumption, magnets could prevent the component from providing a reliable and stable connection. The version seemed plausible, especially against the background of unofficial information that the C1 chip will be used in the thin iPhone 17 Air smartphone, but not in the main iPhone 17 lineup.
However, Apple did not hesitate to respond to the Macworld publication, and told the resource that the decision to release the iPhone 16e without MagSafe was not related to the C1 modem. The company did not reveal the real reason for this decision. It is logical to assume that the manufacturer sought to reduce the cost of the iPhone 16e as a budget model, and the refusal of MagSafe helped in this. Although the price tag of $599 was already much higher than expected.