The iPhone 17e could fix one of the 16e’s biggest mistakes

The claim comes from The Information, which suggests Apple plans to reinstate Qi2 support on the iPhone 17e ahead of its expected early 2026 launch. If accurate, it would make Apple’s affordable iPhone once again compatible with magnetic chargers and accessories, something conspicuously missing from the 16e.

That omission raised eyebrows when the iPhone 16e launched earlier this year. In an effort to keep costs down, Apple dropped MagSafe entirely, leaving the phone reliant on standard Qi charging.

While understandable on paper, the move felt out of step with Apple’s own ecosystem, particularly given how central MagSafe has become since its debut on the iPhone 12 back in 2020.

What makes the reported U-turn more interesting is the wider context. For years, Apple fans were quick to point out Android’s lack of Qi2 support, only for the tables to turn in 2025.

Google’s Pixel 10 series arrived with Qi2 built in, branded as PixelSnap, making it the first truly mainstream Android line to adopt the standard. With a more affordable Pixel 10a expected to follow, Apple risks being undercut on features if its own mid-ranger doesn’t keep pace.

The report also claims the iPhone 17e will feature Apple’s latest C1X in-house modem, first introduced with the iPhone Air, suggesting efficiency and connectivity upgrades beyond charging alone.

Speaking of the Air, the same source hints at a rethink there too. After criticism over its high price and single-camera setup, Apple is reportedly planning a two-camera iPhone Air 2 with a lower starting price in 2026, a sign that feedback may finally be landing.

If MagSafe does return, the iPhone 17e wouldn’t just be fixing a spec-sheet omission. It would be restoring a piece of the iPhone experience that many users felt should never have been removed in the first place.