The iPhone 16e boasts many impressive features, yet one unexpected drawback is its absence of MagSafe support. While some speculate that Apple’s new C1 modem is at fault, the company has outright dismissed this claim.
Apple Clarifies: C1 Modem “Not Responsible” for MagSafe Omission
Today, Macworld released an article discussing Apple’s new C1 modem, which featured insights regarding why MagSafe is missing from the iPhone 16e:
Industry sources have suggested to Macworld that the built-in magnets of the MagSafe system could potentially disrupt the connectivity of Apple’s new C1 5G modem. Hence, Apple may have decided to exclude MagSafe to ensure optimal performance of its first-generation 5G modem.
This is not the first time I’ve encountered this theory, and I found it quite believable. It may also explain why Apple chose not to integrate the C1 into the complete iPhone 17 series, opting instead for it to be featured exclusively in the 17 Air, which is already facing several compromises.
I had some concerns about this, as it would be disappointing to lose MagSafe on the otherwise appealing iPhone 17 Air.
Luckily, Apple has officially refuted the rumor. The article has since been updated with the following note:
Update 11:18am ET: Apple has confirmed to Macworld that the C1 modem is not responsible for the decision to exclude MagSafe charging from the new iPhone 16e.
This is reassuring news; however, it still leaves unresolved questions regarding the absence of MagSafe.
Perhaps Apple was striving to reduce the cost of the iPhone 16e, and removing MagSafe contributes to that effort. At $599, the price is already higher than many anticipated.
On the other hand, we had expected an updated iPhone SE, but that product line has been officially discontinued.
DMN’s Perspective
It remains unclear how much the removal of MagSafe components could help with cost savings, leaving this as a lingering enigma for me.
Additionally, I believe Apple’s denial opens the door for the possibility that the C1 chip still plays a role in this decision.
It’s conceivable that the internal design of the iPhone 16e, closely modeled after the iPhone 14, presented challenges between the C1 and MagSafe. This may not be a problem that can’t be resolved before the C1 is included in the iPhone 17 Air, but it may have influenced Apple’s choice for this particular model.
What are your thoughts on Apple’s statement regarding the C1 and MagSafe? Share your opinions in the comments.
