iFixit Tears Down New iPhone 16e [Video]

iFixit has posted its teardown of the new iPhone 16e, offering an up close look at its internals and the new C1 modem.

Apple's "budget" model iPhone just got a new entry in the lineup: the iPhone 16e. If you're on an old SE model, should you upgrade? Probably not. Don't get us wrong—it's pretty repairable, as far as iPhones go. What's got the tech world buzzing, though, is that this is the first iPhone to have a modem designed in-house by Apple: they're calling it the C1, and we expect to see iterations of it replacing Qualcomm's modems in future iPhones. After years of bad blood and multiple lawsuits, Apple is finally sticking it to Qualcomm.


The iPhone 16e borrows its architecture from the iPhone 14 and features a dual-entry system for easier screen and back cover replacements. A standout feature is the electrically released adhesive under the battery, a technology first seen in the iPhone 16 and 16 Plus models. This allows the 15.55Wh battery, larger than the 13.83Wh unit in the iPhone 16, to pop out with a 9V charge applied for 90 seconds, thanks to space freed up by the single rear camera. Apple's repair manual for the device, now available online due to right-to-repair laws in Oregon and Colorado, details this process.

Repairability improves with Apple stepping back from software-locked parts, a shift influenced by legislation in multiple regions. For the first time, the company has provided repair manuals for the USB-C charging port, mandated by European regulations. Replacing it remains complex, however, requiring near-total disassembly of the phone, which marks a step back from the simplified process in the 16 Pro models. The teardown reveals a clever touch: a metal tab protects the back panel's lone flex cable and reduces the risk of accidental damage during repairs.

The headline feature is Apple's new C1 modem. The teardown exposes its integration on the logic board, and early analysis suggests strong performance potential. Other observations include a screen with pixel density matching the iPhone 16 and 16 Plus and the notable lack of MagSafe.

The iFixit team notes mixed progress. The rollback of parts pairing and smart design tweaks earn praise, but the USB-C port replacement process disappoints, inheriting flaws from older designs. Still, the iPhone 16e scores a provisional 7 out of 10 for repairability, a solid mark for Apple.


Check out the full teardown video below...