When Apple recently unveiled the iPhone 16e, one feature that quickly became a hot topic was the absence of MagSafe, a technology that has been a standard on iPhones since the iPhone 12 launch in 2020. Many critics spoke about the missing feature, which many had come to expect from the latest iPhone models.
Apple Explains Why MagSafe Was Left Out of iPhone 16e
Following the wave of criticism, Apple responded through a statement made by John Gruber at Daring Fireball. In a conversation with Apple representatives, Gruber revealed that the decision to exclude MagSafe from the iPhone 16e was not a mistake but a strategic choice based on the device’s intended audience.
Gruber explained that Apple’s focus with the iPhone 16e is to appeal to a specific market segment. “Most people in the 16e’s target audience,” according to Apple, “primarily charge their devices using a traditional charging cable and typically do not use inductive charging at all.” This insight sheds light on why MagSafe, which relies on wireless charging, was excluded from the iPhone 16e, making it an option more aligned with users of previous, non-MagSafe iPhone models.
What You Get with the iPhone 16e
Despite the absence of MagSafe, the iPhone 16e doesn’t fall short in terms of performance or innovation. The device boasts a powerful A18 chip, providing processing power for Apple Intelligence. The 48MP 2-in-1 camera system allows for photography and videography, while the addition of the Action button offers increased functionality.
Who Is the iPhone 16e Really For?
According to the iPhone comparison tool on Apple’s website, the iPhone 16e is most comparable to the iPhone 11, iPhone 12, and iPhone SE. This suggests that Apple is targeting users of these older models.
The decision to remove MagSafe from the iPhone 16e makes sense in the context of the company’s strategy to cater to a specific user demographic—those who are looking to replace their older iPhone, but are not necessarily interested in having the full feature set of other iPhones.
