Apple’s Cheapest iPhone Is Missing One Key Feature. Here’s How to Get It Back

You might not be able to use your favorite iPhone accessories with the iPhone 16e, but there’s a fix.

Published February 21, 2025

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Naturally, a “budget” iPhone is going to sacrifice a few good things, and the iPhone 16e — available for preorder now and shipping February 28th — does precisely that.

Unlike the rest of Apple’s iPhone 16 line, the iPhone 16e doesn’t have an ultra-wide camera, and its OLED screen, which takes up the entire front of the phone and supports Face ID, isn’t quite as nice. It also lacks a Camera Control button.

However, one big surprise was that Apple omitted MagSafe from the iPhone 16e. That’s right, there is no circular array of magnets on its back.

wireless travel charger — Apple introduced MagSafe with the iPhone 12 and every non-SE iPhone has had it since. That is, until the iPhone 16e.

No MagSafe?

The lack of MagSafe in the iPhone 16e is a big deal for two reasons.

First, it means the now-vast ecosystem of MagSafe accessories — including charging stands, portable power banks, car mounts, and minimalist wallets — won’t magnetically attach to the back of the iPhone 16e.

Secondly, when paired with the correct charger and adapter, it won’t support MagSafe’s super-fast wireless charging speeds — now up to 25 watts. Although Qi2, which supports up to 15-watt wireless charging, is still pretty fast.

For me, the first is the more significant disappointment. I have an iPhone 13 mini and use numerous MagSafe accessories, such as a charging stand and car mount, every day, and if I were to upgrade to the iPhone 16e, I wouldn’t be able to use those anymore.

Unless I got an extra accessory, of course.

magsafe snap adapter — The Mophie Snap Adapter is a magnetic adhesive that allows the iPhone 16e to work with MagSafe accessories.

Bring back MagSafe

Apple has seemingly gone all out on MagSafe for the iPhone 16e — even the official cases that Apple sells surprisingly don’t support it.

However, third-party accessory makers, such as Spigen and Mous, already sell “MagSafe compatible” cases for the iPhone 16e. You can expect more brands to follow suit.

If you don’t want your iPhone 16e to wear a case, you can get an accessory like Mophie’s Snap Adapter. It’s a magnetic adhesive in the same circular shape as MagSafe that you stick to the back of your iPhone.

Of course, using any of these “MagSafe Compatible” accessories with the iPhone 16e won’t unlock MagSafe’s faster-charging capabilities. However, the added magnet will allow you to use the iPhone 16e with all the MagSafe accessories you’ve been using for years.

Granted, it’s not a pretty solution, but it’s one you’ll want to make. Apple made some sacrifices with the iPhone 16e, and you’ll likely have to make some when buying one, too.