Apple Reportedly Questioning Whether iPhone Should Drop MagSafe
Source: MacRumors
Background
A leaker known as “Instant Digital” claims Apple is currently debating whether MagSafe should remain a standard iPhone feature. MagSafe was introduced with the iPhone 12 lineup in 2020, adding a ring of magnets to the back of the device for snap‑on charging and accessory attachment. Since then, the ecosystem has expanded significantly, with dozens of third‑party wallets, cases, stands, and chargers built around the standard.
iPad Rumors
The leaker previously hinted at a possible MagSafe‑enabled iPad lineup, though those plans never materialized. Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman first reported in 2021 that Apple was testing a glass‑backed iPad Pro that would support wireless charging, specifically noting that MagSafe was under consideration. A follow‑up report in early 2022 suggested Apple had prototyped an iPad Pro with a large glass Apple logo serving as the wireless‑charging area, an approach aimed at avoiding the fragility of an all‑glass back. Neither design reached a shipping product.
Rumors resurfaced in late 2023, with reports suggesting that the then‑upcoming iPad Pro could include MagSafe support, based on information from sources familiar with Apple’s magnet suppliers. The redesigned M4 iPad Pro that launched in 2024 still shipped without the feature.
Current Debate
Instant Digital says confidence around MagSafe has given way to uncertainty. According to the leaker, Apple is weighing the costs of including MagSafe magnets in the iPhone against the strength of the accessory ecosystem that has grown up around the feature. The exact nature of the debate and any potential changes remain unclear.
iPhone 16e and 17e
The iPhone 16e launched without MagSafe, making it the first new iPhone in years to omit the technology. Many iPhone 16e owners—and users of older iPhones without built‑in magnets—turned to third‑party cases with embedded magnet rings as a workaround, though the experience is generally considered inferior to native MagSafe support. The decision drew criticism, and Apple reversed course with the iPhone 17e, restoring MagSafe support when the device launched earlier this year.
“iPhone Ultra” Possibility
Dummy models of the rumored “iPhone Ultra” show no visible indentations for the internal magnet array that MagSafe requires, suggesting the feature could be absent at launch. The device is rumored to be only 4.5 mm thin when unfolded, potentially too slim to accommodate the magnets. If accurate, the iPhone Ultra would be the most expensive iPhone ever—starting around $2,000—and the first high‑end model to ship without MagSafe since the iPhone 11 Pro.
Future Outlook
Recent reports indicate that the standard iPhone 18 may be downgraded to cut costs, potentially affecting MagSafe inclusion.
This article first appeared on MacRumors.com.