**Apple Announces iPhone 16 Release with MagSafe Enhancements**
Apple has scheduled the unveiling of the new iPad Air and iPad Pro for May 7th, with the announcement of the iPhone 16 series expected later in the year, likely around September. Rumors suggest this year’s iPhone lineup will showcase a 3nm chip with enhanced AI capabilities, while select models may feature larger displays, extended battery life, and upgraded ultrawide cameras.
Newly leaked images of the iPhone 16 model, released by the French website ShopSystem, hint at another subtle yet significant alteration.
iPhone 16 model image released by French website ShopSystem
Aside from the primary specifications that usually dominate user attention—screen size, chipset, battery capacity, and camera count—MagSafe is among the various other features that enhance the iPhone experience.
Introduced with the iPhone 12, MagSafe is Apple’s magnetic technology that places a ring of magnets around the iPhone’s charging coil. This enables wireless charging and allows accessories like a wallet to attach to the back of the phone.
Apple has released a range of accessories for the MagSafe “magnetic circle” on its iPhones, starting with the iPhone 12 model
According to the latest leaked images, the charging ring on the iPhone 16 will be slimmer than in previous generations. While ShopSystem suggests this may mean older MagSafe and Qi2 chargers won’t be compatible with the new iPhone, 9to5Mac believes this is unlikely.
The reduced thickness is thought to improve the charging technology while also contributing to the phone’s lighter weight.
The images align with earlier leaks, indicating that the iPhone 16 and 16 Plus will feature vertically arranged camera arrays. This adjustment could allow Apple to extend the Cinematic mode video feature, currently exclusive to Pro models, to non-Pro models.
Additionally, the images suggest the iPhone 16 Pro and Pro Max will be notably larger in size. This could increase their chances of being crowned the best phones of 2024.
Apple’s MagSafe Charger is currently listed on their website for $119.99, which includes the wireless charging base and a built-in USB-C cable (1m length). A power adapter is not included. Apple recommends purchasing it with the 20W USB-C Power Adapter, priced at $54.99.
MagSafe Charger is currently sold by Apple for $119.99
The 20W USB-C Charger is sold for $54.99
As such, if a user intends to utilize the MagSafe wireless charging feature on their iPhone (from the iPhone 12 to 15), they will need to invest an additional $174.98 for the official charger and power adapter from Apple. If the iPhone 16 features a different MagSafe charger size, users may need to purchase a compatible accessory at a similar or perhaps higher cost.
