No ultra-wide-angle photo sensor, no Wi-Fi 7 (or 6E for that matter), no ultra-wideband, one less GPU core for the A18, a screen similar to that of the iPhone 14… The iPhone 16e is a sum of compromises that allow Apple to offer it €250 cheaper than an iPhone 16. This does not make it an affordable smartphone, however, it becomes the cheapest entry point for Apple Intelligence. We console ourselves as we can.
These sacrifices can be understood, because their impact will not degrade the user experience too much. What is more problematic is the pure and simple disappearance of MagSafe. The wireless charging system, introduced with the iPhone 12, has since been part of the list of technical characteristics of all Apple smartphones. The iPhone 16e breaks this beautiful continuity and above all, it is a brake on the good health of the MagSafe ecosystem.
Because there are not only MagSafe cases or chargers. We can no longer count the number of charging bases, external batteries, wallets, gadgets of all kinds that make the wealth of Apple and countless accessory manufacturers. It must be said that by combining induction and magnetism charging, MagSafe has quickly proven its interest - so much so that it serves as the technological basis for the Qi2 standard.
Unfortunately, iPhone 16e users will be deprived of it. A question of cost? The MagSafe in the iPhone is a magnet and a copper coil: not sure that these are the most expensive components. The smartphone is still compatible with the first generation Qi, which limits it to a maximum 7.5W wireless charge. Far from the 25W of the MagSafe built into the iPhone 16 Plus and Pro Max!
While waiting to learn more, Apple has eliminated a potential culprit: the C1 chip. The site Macworld has emitted the hypothesis that the C1 chip — the first cellular chip developed internally — could suffer from interference with the MagSafe magnets, according to industry sources. This is not the case: the manufacturer explained that its chip was not responsible for the decision not to integrate MagSafe into the iPhone 16e. The mystery therefore remains!
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