MagSafe future iPhone plans are reportedly under scrutiny inside Apple, raising fresh questions over one of the company's most recognisable iPhone features.
A well-known Chinese tipster, Instant Digital, claims Apple is holding an internal debate about whether MagSafe should remain a standard feature on future iPhone models, weighing the cost of the magnets against the value of the surrounding accessory ecosystem. MagSafe, introduced with the iPhone 12 in 2020, added a ring of magnets on the back of the phone to enable snap-on wireless charging and a wide range of accessories, from wallets and stands to external battery packs.
According to the Weibo post, Apple originally had "aggressive" plans for MagSafe, even exploring versions for the iPad, including prototypes with glass backs or charging-capable logos, though none have reached market. Despite that, MagSafe has become central to the Qi2 magnetic wireless charging standard now being adopted by many Android manufacturers, further entrenching the technology in the wider industry.
Apple has already experimented with dropping MagSafe on cheaper devices. The iPhone 16e, launched in 2025, shipped without MagSafe, a decision that drew criticism from users and reviewers who saw it as a step backwards. Apple reversed course with the iPhone 17e, whose headline upgrade was the return of MagSafe wireless charging, highlighting how noticeable the omission had been.
The latest rumours suggest the company's first foldable handset, widely referred to as the iPhone Ultra, could also forgo MagSafe to achieve an extremely thin design. Leaks indicate the book-style foldable may measure around 4.5mm when unfolded, leaving little room for the magnetic charging ring that current iPhones use.
For now, flagship devices such as the iPhone 17 series and the ultra-thin iPhone Air continue to support MagSafe, underlining its importance to many users and accessory makers. But the fact that Apple is even considering scaling back the feature, after building an entire ecosystem around it, suggests MagSafe's long-term role in the iPhone lineup is no longer guaranteed. As Apple pushes for thinner designs and tighter cost control, the MagSafe future iPhone story may ultimately hinge on whether customers are willing to accept losing a feature that has quietly become part of everyday iPhone use.