Despite the iPhone 16e getting loud criticism for not including MagSafe, in real-world testing, MagSafe chargers can barely attach to it magnetically.

Apple has offered a reason why the iPhone 16e doesn't include MagSafe, one of the more notable omissions from its latest entry-level smartphone.

The iPhone 16e (without a case) can attach to a MagSafe charger (and of course, it charges because it supports wireless charging), but with a very weak connection. It's weak, but... well, it's there.

We now have confirmation of why the iPhone 16e lacks MagSafe, and the reason is not solely financial.The Latest Tech News, Delivered to Your Inbox

According to John Gruber's Daring Fireball tech blog, Apple representatives who spoke to him explained that the decision to omit MagSafe from the iPhone 16e was based on its "targ

I posted a grumpy article Monday citing the lack of MagSafe support as the single most annoying thing about Apple’s new iPhone 16e. Having lived through and reviewed large segments of four consecutive iPhone generations with MagSafe support,

Regardless of Apple's reasoning for this decision, the solution seemed simple: Just get a MagSafe case. However, typically for Apple, the company went all the way with omitting MagSafe on the iPhone 16e, because even the official cases for the device do not support it.

The iPhone 16e doesn't feature MagSafe support. Apple explained why it left this beloved iPhone function behind on this model.

You can’t add actual MagSafe to an iPhone 16e, but you can add the ring of magnets that helps align charging coils and hold your phone onto charging stands and car phone mounts.

Discover how to make the iPhone 16e MagSafe-compatible despite its limitations. Learn about third-party cases and wireless charging options.

Apple has responded to iPhone 16e critics, and says that engineering choices like a lack of MagSafe that make the device unappealing to the tech-savvy don't matter to the larger market.