iFixit has examined Apple’s latest budget model, the iPhone 16e, uncovering repairability upgrades from the iPhone 16 lineup. This teardown reveals how the device blends new tech with repair challenges. Earlier teardown revealed a 4,005 mAh battery capacity, compared to 3,561 mAh battery in the iPhone 16.
Battery Adhesive
The iPhone 16e features “electrically released adhesive under the battery,” first seen in the iPhone 16 and 16 Plus. Elizabeth Chamberlain said, “It has the cool electrically released adhesive under the battery that we saw in the vanilla and Plus iPhone 16 models.”
She added, “The new electrically released adhesive, on the other hand, is basically fool-proof: hook some alligator clips supplying 9–30V DC up to a special conductive tab and a screw post, and the adhesive disengages quickly and cleanly.”
With iFixit’s VoltClip at 12V, “the battery is free in just 5 seconds,” a leap over stretch-release adhesives that “tend to break off” or require prying. Batteries degrade over time, so easy swaps matter. Apple promises “up to 26 hours of video playback,” hinting at fewer charge cycles and a longer-lasting battery.
Right to Repair Progress
Thanks to Right to Repair laws in Oregon and Colorado, Apple has softened software restrictions. Chamberlain noted, “We didn’t see any parts pairing issues when we swapped logic boards”—at least with OEM parts, where “Repair Assistant worked as advertised.” This marks a repair-friendly shift.
No MagSafe
The iPhone 16e skips MagSafe, sticking to 7.5W Qi wireless charging. Chamberlain explained, “When they tested last year, they found that charging via MagSafe is 35%–113.7% less efficient than wired charging.”
Inefficient chargers waste “17.54kWh per year,” like leaving “a 10W LED light on for 73 days straight.” She added, “Wireless charging also makes the battery run hotter,” staying “well above 30°C,” which Battery University says harms longevity. The slower speed might, however, ease degradation.
Apple’s C1 Modem Unveiled
The iPhone 16e debuts Apple’s C1 modem, replacing Qualcomm’s SDX71M. Chamberlain said, “Over the weekend, we put the chip in our Lumafield Neptune CT scanner,” showing a 4nm modem with DRAM on the RF board’s underside and a 7nm transceiver on the reverse.
She noted Apple’s decade-long chip journey, predicting the C1 in the “iPhone 17 Air later this year.” This move pressures Qualcomm’s modem dominance.
USB-C Port and First Repair Manual
Europe’s USB-C law brings this port to the iPhone 16e, and Apple now offers “a repair procedure for the charging port.”
Chamberlain cautioned, “That repair isn’t for the faint of heart,” requiring removal of the back glass, selfie camera, earpiece speaker, battery, Taptic Engine, bottom speaker, microphone, and SIM assembly before lifting the logic board.
A clip now protects the flash cable, a tweak from the 16 Pro models. She hopes “the whole lineup gets the easier-port-replacement treatment when the 17s come out later this year.”
Home Button Exits
The iPhone 16e drops the SE’s home button. Chamberlain said, “We won’t be crying any tears for the home button,” a “fragile, often damaged component” tied to Touch ID limits. Its removal streamlines design and cuts repair hassles.
Repairability: 7/10 Score
The iPhone 16e scores a provisional “7 out of 10” for repairability, matching the iPhone 16 lineup, pending spare parts. Chamberlain praised the “dual-entry design” from the iPhone 14 and the C1’s potential for battery life.
Still, she noted, “There’s not much worth writing home about here, especially with the increased price,” suggesting refurbished buys over upgrades.