iPhone 16e Teardown: Apple’s Budget Frankenstein
$600, the question is: affordable for whom? To hit this price point, Apple made some interesting choices: no MagSafe, no Ultra Wideband chip, and a 60Hz display in 2025.
So, what exactly is the iPhone 16e? Is it a true budget phone or a Frankenstein mix of past models? I tore it down to find out what parts Apple reused, what they removed, and even attempted to add MagSafe myself.
What an interesting device.
Tearing Down the iPhone 16e
If it’s anything like the iPhone 14, it should open from the back. After heating the device, we pried it open, and it looked eerily similar to both the iPhone 14 and iPhone 15.
Key Takeaways from the Teardown:
The battery is massive compared to previous models this size. (4005 mAh)
The display looks identical to the iPhone 14.
The back glass is removable, a major plus for repairability.
Wireless charging is only 7.5W, making it painfully slow.
Apple removed MagSafe, but I
attempted to add it back.
Old parts work with the newer device.
Battery Upgrade or Tradeoff?
By removing the ultrawide camera, Apple was able to fit a significantly larger battery. According to my readings, the iPhone 16e has a 4,500mAh battery, which is much bigger than any iPhone of this size before. This new battery alongside the new C1 chip are responsible for the improved battery life.
Is losing the ultrawide lens worth the battery upgrade? That depends on how you use your phone.
Parts Compatibility: Reused and Recycled
I tested several parts from the iPhone 14 and 15 to see which are compatible with the iPhone 16e. Here’s what I found:
Compatible and Working:
iPhone 14 Taptic Engine ✅ (Works perfectly)
iPhone 15 Loudspeaker ✅ (Fully functional)
iPhone 14 Display ✅ (Works, including touch functionality)
iPhone 14/15 Wireless Charging Coil ✅ (Works, but causes restarts)
Compatible but Non-Functional:
iPhone 14 Front Camera ❌ (Fits, but doesn’t work)
iPhone 14 SIM Reader ✅ (Works) | iPhone 15 SIM Reader ❌ (Doesn’t work)
iPhone 15 Taptic Engine ❌ (Fits but doesn’t function)
This means cheaper repairs, as iPhone 14 parts are widely available. If you break your screen, you can use an iPhone 14 display instead of waiting for official 16e parts.
Adding MagSafe to the iPhone 16e
Since Apple removed MagSafe, I decided to add it back.
Removed the graphite film covering the wireless charging coil.
Placed MagSafe magnets over the existing coil.
Reassembled the phone and tested it.
✅ Result: It worked! Wireless charging is still slow, but MagSafe alignment is back, meaning slightly better charging speeds.
Final Thoughts: The iPhone 16e is a Frankenstein Mix
The iPhone 16e is a mashup of the iPhone 14, 15, and 16. While it lacks premium features like MagSafe and an ultrawide camera, it benefits from a bigger battery, repairability, and the A18 chip.
However, at $600, this isn’t the budget-friendly iPhone SE replacement some were hoping for. It may be ideal for corporations or casual users, but for power users, it’s not exactly exciting.
Would you buy the iPhone 16e? Let me know in the comments!