Restore web site iFixit at the moment took aside the iPhone 17e, which is the brand new low-cost iPhone that Apple launched final Wednesday. The iPhone 17e is sort of an identical to the iPhone 16e in design, however it does embody a MagSafe again panel that helps MagSafe and sooner Qi charging than the iPhone 16e.
When disassembling the iPhone 17e, iFixit discovered that the MagSafe panel for the system is identical dimension because the panel for the 16e, and the 2 are interchangeable. You may take a again panel from an iPhone 17e and put it on an iPhone 16e, including MagSafe to an iPhone 16e.
That could possibly be excellent news for iPhone customers who purchased an iPhone 16e and do not need to improve simply to get MagSafe. iPhone 16e prospects could possibly get their arms on an iPhone 17e again panel to make a MagSafe swap, which iFixit says is a giant win for repairability. There was a draw back with the MagSafe swap as a result of the iPhone 16e would not have the built-in software program that acknowledges MagSafe equipment to offer animations, and it is not but clear if it costs on the full 15W.
“Cross-compatibility issues,” stated iFixit. “It makes repairs simpler, components simpler to supply, and upgrades cheaper.”
Apple made day one manuals accessible for the iPhone 17e, so iFixit knew the back and front panels each come off. The battery could be swapped with out having to undergo the show, although there’s nonetheless adhesive to cope with. The iPhone 17e continues to make use of adhesive for the battery that may be eliminated with {an electrical} pulse, which makes battery replacements less complicated.
Apart from the MagSafe replace, the opposite notable change within the iPhone 17e is the A19 System on Chip that replaces the A18. Apple additionally swapped out the C1 modem for the brand new, sooner C1X modem, and there is extra beginning inside storage at 256 GB.
iFixit discovered that just like the MagSafe module, nearly all elements contained in the iPhone 17e and iPhone 16e have been interchangeable. It is attainable to take an iPhone 16e logic board and put it into an iPhone 17e chassis, with nearly no points registering components. The TrueDepth digital camera for Face ID did not work when swapped from iPhone to iPhone.
Whereas iFixit was proud of the twin entry design and the battery adhesive that releases electrically, the location discovered the USB-C port was too buried behind elements, which is able to make DIY repairs daunting for individuals. Apple fastened the USB-C accessibility concern in its foremost flagship fashions, however has not made the port simpler to get to within the “e” fashions.
Regardless of these points, iFixit awarded factors for the components interchangeability as a result of there’s extra salvage worth and extra refurbishment potential. iFixit gave the iPhone 17e a provisional repairability rating of seven out of 10. That is the identical rating the iPhone 16e obtained final yr, and the identical rating the iPhone 17 earned.