Other iPhone 17 Air: if no MagSafe, won't buy

[arc of the universe]

was surprised to see the iPhone 16E with no MagSafe.

with the Air rumoured to be much thinner, have begun to think that maybe the Air also might not have MagSafe.

i probably wouldn't buy it if there is no MagSafe.

 

[Jeff5i]

Just get a case?

 

[3Rock]

Just get a case?

What does that have to do with him asking about MagSafe?

 

[Andeddu]

What does that have to do with him asking about MagSafe?

I think he’s talking about a MagSafe case which enables non-MagSafe phones to use MagSafe products such as the battery packs, etc… the issue with that is there is no fast charging and iOS won’t add a MagSafe widget to your interface.

 

[Devyn89]

Wouldn’t buy another phone without it tbh. It helps me use the 15 Pro Max I have as I use a MagSafe pop socket which helps me use the phone one handed. I don’t use a case so MagSafe is essential to me. Plus I have a MagSafe stand on my nightstand that turns my phone into a bedside clock.

 

[turbineseaplane]

I think all the phones will have MagSafe other than the "budget*" line (ePhones)

*We are being very generous with the term "budget"

 

[klasma]

with the Air rumoured to be much thinner, have begun to think that maybe the Air also might not have MagSafe.

That would be surprising, as the MagSafe magnets are incredibly thin (see the video below) and don’t overlap with the charging coil that also needs some minimal thickness (unless you assume the Air won’t even support Qi). The reason MagSafe was removed from the 16e wasn’t due to space or cost savings (it shouldn’t cost more than $1 at Apple’s scale), but to artificially increase the product segmentation. It’s also not a feature they can realistically turn into service revenue later (like they can for Apple Intelligence).

 

[ray6088]

Maybe one more option for not interfering with some implanted medical devices

 

[doogm]

As a contrary opinion, I have absolutely no need for MagSafe charging. While I like having a wireless charging fallback (which can be Qi IMO), "wireless" charging still requires a wire, it is less efficient than direct USB charging, and heats up the battery pack more than plug-in charging. I really only need it as a fall-back if something happens to my USB port until I can get the phone repaired/replaced.

MagSafe accessories, though - I have some, but that can easily be replicated with a case, which I will use on my phone anyway.

All that said: Apple I am sure will continue to provide MagSafe charging for all but their least expensive phones.

 

[arc of the universe]

That would be surprising, as the MagSafe magnets are incredibly thin (see the video below) and don’t overlap with the charging coil that also needs some minimal thickness (unless you assume the Air won’t even support Qi). The reason MagSafe was removed from the 16e wasn’t due to space or cost savings (it shouldn’t cost more than $1 at Apple’s scale), but to artificially increase the product segmentation. It’s also not a feature they can realistically turn into service revenue later (like they can for Apple Intelligence).

great to hear this. thanks.

 

[1rottenapple]

I bought a third party MagSafe wallet recently after 4 years of owning MagSafe phones it’s so nice to slap my wallet on there. It’s one of those wow why didn’t anyone think of this moment. It’s a must feature now for me.

 

[snipr125]

Ive never utilised Magsafe at all on my 13 Mini or 15 Pro, so would not be an issue for me if the 17 Slim omits it. If extra battery is added then a bonus.

 

[xxFoxtail]

Ive never utilised Magsafe at all on my 13 Mini or 15 Pro, so would not be an issue for if the 17 Slim omits it. If extra battery is added then a bonus.

I used Apple's MagSafe Battery pack every day on my old 12 mini. To the point where it was just "part of the phone." Since then, I’ve been using a MagSafe wallet on and off. I could live without it as my phone lives mostly in my bag now. I doubt Apple is phasing it out, I'd be a bit surprised if it wasn’t in the 17 Air/Slim whatever they want to call it.

 

[digimc]

Wouldn't really be a deal breaker for me. If there are major improvements in the battery life, weight, screen brightness and overall core speed of the device, then those enhancements would be much more worthwhile and I would be much more likely to purchase the new iPhone 17 Air. I don't use MagSafe and I don't like to attach wallets and other accessories to the back of my iPhone. But to each their own.

 

[cdsapplefan]

Apple 🍎 may put in Qi2 15w wireless charging in the 17 Air due to how razor thin it will be. The 16e has only Qi1 7.5w charging. The base 17 standard will have the 25w MagSafe charging though still.

 

[Lounge vibes 05]

I think Apple would be more likely to remove the USB-C port in its race for thinness before they would get rid of MagSafe.
Plus the M4 iPad Pro is 5MM thin and that didn’t stop the thing from being packed with magnets, way more magnets than the iPhone’s MagSafe ring.

that the 16e doesn’t have MagSafe is because outside of charging speed, which most people aren’t going to care about anyway, all of the functionality of MagSafe can literally be brought back with a tiny magnet sticker. or a case.
For all of the MagSafe pop sockets and MagSafe wallets, it’s barely a loss.
It definitely should be there, though, it’s kind of ridiculous that it’s not. But I guess they needed to leave something for the 17e…

 

[cdsapplefan]

I think Apple would be more likely to remove the USB-C port in its race for thinness before they would get rid of MagSafe.
Plus the M4 iPad Pro is 5MM thin and that didn’t stop the thing from being packed with magnets, way more magnets than the iPhone’s MagSafe ring.

that the 16e doesn’t have MagSafe is because outside of charging speed, which most people aren’t going to care about anyway, all of the functionality of MagSafe can literally be brought back with a tiny magnet sticker. or a case.
For all of the MagSafe pop sockets and MagSafe wallets, it’s barely a loss.
It definitely should be there, though, it’s kind of ridiculous that it’s not. But I guess they needed to leave something for the 17e…

Apple left MagSafe off the 16e to make sure it would not compete with the 16 standard base model and take away sales from it. They provided good separation between the two. The 17e will not have MagSafe either. Apple will not cannibalize it’s lineup because a few people demand MagSafe on the 16e and don’t wanna pay the extra $200 to get MagSafe. Apple sales 1 million iPhones a day, so they know what they are doing.

 

[JuicyGoomba]

Apple left MagSafe off the 16e to make sure it would not compete with the 16 standard base model and take away sales from it. They provided good separation between the two. The 17e will not have MagSafe either. Apple will not cannibalize it’s lineup because a few people demand MagSafe on the 16e and don’t wanna pay the extra $200 to get MagSafe. Apple sales 1 million iPhones a day, so they know what they are doing.

17e will likely be the last 'e' phone too, as Apple will simply cite "lack of demand" for a "budget" iPhone and go back to having iPhones start at £899 for the "base" model. The "base" model will essentially become the default premium iPhone, with the "Pro" being the models with all the new gimmicks for a super high price.

Heck they killed the Plus because they knew that it would cannabilise sales of the 17 Pro Max, and replaced it with a device that will be worse in every way vs the 16 Plus only with 120hz screen tacked on, and a huge price increase.

 

[cdsapplefan]

17e will likely be the last 'e' phone too, as Apple will simply cite "lack of demand" for a "budget" iPhone and go back to having iPhones start at £899 for the "base" model. The "base" model will essentially become the default premium iPhone, with the "Pro" being the models with all the new gimmicks for a super high price.

Heck they killed the Plus because they knew that it would cannabilise sales of the 17 Pro Max, and replaced it with a device that will be worse in every way vs the 16 Plus only with 120hz screen tacked on, and a huge price increase.

Yes. With Apple’s extremely good success they can charge what they want for a budget iPhone and people will snatch up like hot cakes 🥞

Apple would prefer people snatch up there Flagship Pro Max model, hint hint. 💰🥞😉