Early Teardown of New iPhone 16e Reveals Larger Battery, C1 Modem [Video]

Check out this early teardown of the new iPhone 16e that reveals what's under the hood of Apple's latest device. The teardown video was shared by REWA Technology on YouTube, following the iPhone 16e's in-store launch today.

The iPhone 16e weighs in at 166.1 grams, a detail noted before disassembly began. Two pentalobe screws at the bottom are removed first, then the back cover is pried open using a heating mat and a pick to detach it from the middle frame. Inside, the layout closely mirrors the iPhone 15. The back cover houses a wireless charging coil, but it lacks MagSafe compatibility—an unusual omission for a modern iPhone.


Next, the teardown examines the battery, a standout feature. Disconnecting it requires removing the SIM holder base cable first. Unlike older models with pull tabs, this battery uses an adhesive that loosens with an electric current, a method Apple introduced to simplify repairs. Rated at 4,005 mAh, it's significantly larger than the iPhone 16's 3,561 mAh. Apple credits a redesigned internal structure for the extra capacity, but REWA points to the smaller camera as the real space-saver.

The teardown moves on to the front camera assembly, which lacks the Dynamic Island and is more akin to the iPhone 14's setup. The rear camera boasts a 48-megapixel sensor with a 2x telephoto lens but skips ultra-wide capabilities, LiDAR, and features like cinematic mode or spatial video. Other components—the earpiece, taptic engine, speaker, and motherboard—follow, with the A18 chip proving trickier to access due to deeper embedding, a potential headache for repairs.

The screen, a 6.1-inch OLED, detaches after heating and careful prying. Interestingly, its connector matches the iPhone 14's, and a quick swap confirmed cross-compatibility—a rare bit of continuity that could prove useful for repairs down the line. The real intrigue lies with the motherboard, home to Apple's first in-house C1 cellular modem. It combines a 4nm baseband with 7nm transceiver technology and is touted as the most power-efficient modem ever in an iPhone—a contributor to the device's impressive battery life.

Watch the full teardown video below!