Apple has confirmed that its new C1 chip has nothing to do with the lack of MagSafe charging support on the iPhone 16e, following tests conducted by an accessory manufacturer. The C1 chip is Apple’s first-ever cellular modem designed for the iPhone.
The tests focused on wireless charging speeds and found that when using a third-party case with built-in magnets, the iPhone 16e achieved higher wireless charging rates compared to manual alignment without a MagSafe-enabled case. In one test cycle, the iPhone 16e reached 7.5W, matching Apple’s specs for the device.
However, when charging via a MagSafe-enabled case and magnetic alignment, the results were no different from those with C1 chip-powered devices. This supports Apple’s claim that there is no interference between the two.
The tests also examined cellular data speeds using a Rogers connection. The results showed minimal impact on data speeds with or without a MagSafe-enabled case, further supporting Apple’s position.
While the exact reasons for excluding MagSafe charging support from the iPhone 16e remain unclear, speculation suggests that cost-cutting may be to blame. More insight is expected once teardowns of the device become available in the coming weeks.
Source: https://9to5mac.com/2025/02/21/iphone-16e-magsafe-c1-modem-testing