Apple's 2025 design blunder might finally be rectified by the upcoming iPhone 17e! For a while now, Apple has been criticized for playing it safe with its product releases, and the iPhone 16e seemed to be the prime example. It was hyped as the spiritual successor to the much-loved SE line, promising to deliver cutting-edge technology in a compact form factor. However, it fell short on both counts. The iPhone 16e wasn't exactly packed with the latest hardware, and it certainly wasn't small. It was a larger device with some significant omissions that made it a far cry from being one of the best iPhones for photography.
What was missing? Well, the iPhone 16e notably lacked the Dynamic Island, a feature that has become a signature of newer iPhones. It also missed out on a second camera lens, and it had one less GPU core compared to the standard iPhone 16. But the most baffling omission, in my opinion, was the absence of MagSafe. While the lack of a second camera and the older design are somewhat understandable given the SE line's history, the GPU downgrade was a disappointment, as the SE models usually at least boasted the latest processor. But no MagSafe? That, to me, feels like a genuine design misstep.
But here's where it gets controversial... MagSafe has been around since the iPhone 12 in 2020, and by now, it's practically an indispensable feature. My own home and car are set up with MagSafe chargers, making the iPhone 16e, despite its tempting $599 price tag, a non-starter for me.
Now, with rumors swirling that the iPhone 17e is set to include MagSafe, my interest is piqued once again. Reports suggest that not only will it feature MagSafe, but it will also sport the faster 25W charging version introduced with the iPhone 17. Furthermore, it's rumored to finally incorporate the Dynamic Island, signaling Apple's potential move away from the notch entirely.
As someone who cherished the compact iPhone mini, I'll always lament the loss of smaller phones that don't require a two-handed grip. However, if the iPhone 17e delivers on MagSafe and the Dynamic Island, it could finally be the phone the 16e should have been – a device offering modern technology at an accessible price point. After all, what's the point of saving money on a phone if you have to replace all your charging accessories?
What do you think? Is MagSafe a truly essential feature, or an overhyped addition? Were you also disappointed by the iPhone 16e's omissions? Let me know your thoughts in the comments below!
