iPhone 17e Will Reportedly Fix iPhone 16e's Biggest Limitation

In February, Apple discontinued the iPhone SE and released a new entry-level iPhone 16e. The device features a 6.1-inch OLED display, an A18 chip with Apple Intelligence support, a single 48-megapixel rear camera, an Action button, a USB-C port, and more, but one capability that it lacks is MagSafe wireless charging.

iPhone 16e Feature
In a wide-ranging report today about future iPhone models, The Information's Wayne Ma and Qianer Liu said that the iPhone 17e will address this limitation.

Specifically, the report said the iPhone 17e will support "magnetic wireless charging," which implies that the device will feature MagSafe for faster, magnetic wireless charging — likely at speeds of up to 20W or 25W. The iPhone 16e is limited to Qi wireless charging at up to 7.5W speeds, and it is not a magnetic system.

The iPhone 17e will be equipped with Apple's second-generation C1X modem for cellular connectivity, according to the report. The iPhone 16e is equipped with Apple's first-generation C1 modem, while the C1X modem debuted in the iPhone Air.

Apple is expected to release the iPhone 17e in spring 2026. Overall, the report said the device will be an incremental upgrade over the iPhone 16e.

In the United States, the iPhone 16e starts at $599. It is unclear if the iPhone 17e will maintain that starting price, and it is also unknown if the device will move to a pill-shaped Dynamic Island cutout instead of a notch.

Related Roundup: iPhone 16e
Buyer's Guide: iPhone 16e (Neutral)
Related Forum: iPhone

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Top Rated Comments

the 12th Doctor Avatar
3 weeks ago

I don't see the purpose of putting Apple Intelligence in the 17e. No one really cares about those features in a budget friendly phone.
I don’t care about it on a premium phone.
Score: 18 Votes (Like | Disagree)
joshwithachance Avatar
3 weeks ago
The 17e needs more than MagSafe and the A19 chip to justify its $599 starting price imo. But at least it's SOMETHING...
Score: 8 Votes (Like | Disagree)
orangeadrenaline Avatar
3 weeks ago
Using a 16e right now that Walmart had for $199. Awkward to hold compared to my 12 mini but otherwise I like it. Bought a $10 case that has magnets. It’s not quite as good as MagSafe but fine.
Score: 4 Votes (Like | Disagree)
klasma Avatar
3 weeks ago

Question for ya'll, will these new features make the $599 price tag for this budget iPhone acceptable?
If my iPhone 13 mini broke, I would likely go for it. The missing MagSafe was the primary reason to be opting for the regular iPhone instead. The $599 price point is still not cheap, but I’d be spared a large camera bump, Dynamic Island, and higher weight. A brighter display would be nice, but not essential.
Score: 4 Votes (Like | Disagree)
iSayuSay Avatar
3 weeks ago
LOL and Apple acts as if MagSafe is a breakthrough innovation all over again? $600 is not a cheap phone by any means. Give it something worthwhile, or not at all.

iPhone 17 is by far the best value iPhone that ever made by Apple this decade. A basic, vanilla-flavored iPhone with 120Hz display, 256GB base storage and actually looks better than Pro counterparts, even the Apple logo on its back is actually centered LOL.
Score: 4 Votes (Like | Disagree)
ifxf Avatar
3 weeks ago
Only used wireless charging once in a hotel. Not worth it especially when I own other devices that only support wired charging.
Score: 3 Votes (Like | Disagree)