This week, the lack of MagSafe charging support on the iPhone 16e has sparked widespread discussion regarding Apple’s most affordable iPhone model. There were initial theories suggesting that this omission might be related to interference from Apple’s C1 chip, the company’s first cellular modem crafted specifically for the iPhone.
However, Apple has since clarified that the C1 chip is not responsible for the absence of MagSafe on the iPhone 16e. A recent study conducted by an iPhone case accessory provider, which was shared with DMN, sheds further light on the matter.
iPhone 16e MagSafe and C1 Testing
The accessory manufacturer executed two sets of tests. The first concentrated on wireless charging speeds. Although the iPhone 16e does not offer MagSafe support, using a third-party case with embedded magnets can provide similar benefits. According to their findings, users can enjoy significantly enhanced wireless charging speeds in such scenarios.
The tests revealed that without a MagSafe-compatible case and proper magnetic alignment, the wireless charging rates for the iPhone 16e varied significantly. This fluctuation can largely be linked to the difficulty of achieving optimal placement on the wireless charger without magnetic guidance.
Here are the charging speeds for the iPhone 16e when charged without a case and with manual alignment:
- Cycle 1: 4.2W
- Cycle 2: 5.0W
- Cycle 3: 4.7W
- Cycle 4: 5.9W
- Cycle 5: 6.5W
In contrast, when using a case featuring built-in MagSafe and magnetic alignment, the iPhone 16e consistently charged at 7.5W across all five cycles. This aligns exactly with the charging speed specified by Apple.
Additionally, the case manufacturer tested whether using a MagSafe-enabled case or charging puck affected cellular data speeds. While Apple had already dismissed this concern, the test outcomes further reinforce Apple’s position.
The testing utilized a Rogers cellular connection through the Google Internet Speed Test tool on Safari, with all results measured in Mbps.
No Case
- Cycle 1: 194.2
- Cycle 2: 194.0
- Cycle 3: 192.1
- Cycle 4: 200.5
- Cycle 5: 202.0
MagSafe-enabled Case
- Cycle 1: 193.6
- Cycle 2: 198.8
- Cycle 3: 194.6
- Cycle 4: 201.1
- Cycle 5: 197.8
MagSafe-enabled Case + MagSafe Puck
- Cycle 1: 196.1
- Cycle 2: 190.2
- Cycle 3: 195.7
- Cycle 4: 196.8
- Cycle 5: 199.1
The data clearly indicates that the C1 modem in the iPhone 16e does not interfere with MagSafe magnets. This strongly suggests that the decision to exclude MagSafe support on the iPhone 16e may have been a strategic cost-cutting measure by Apple. We may gain more insights as teardowns of the iPhone 16e become available in the upcoming weeks.
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