Apple has achieved a significant milestone by equipping every iPhone model with MagSafe, a feature Samsung's entire Galaxy lineup lacks. The new iPhone 17e announcement completes this sweep, bringing the magnetic charging and accessory system to the $599 budget model that previously missed out.

MagSafe, introduced with the iPhone 12 in 2020, offers more than just wireless charging. The magnetic connection enables secure attachment of wallets, stands, and battery packs while ensuring perfect charging coil alignment. This standardization creates a consistent ecosystem that accessory makers can rely on.

Samsung's approach contrasts sharply with Apple's. The company argues that most users employ cases anyway, so internal magnets add unnecessary thickness. However, this hands-off strategy leaves accessory compatibility to chance, with varying magnet strength and placement across different case brands. While Samsung prioritizes battery capacity and slim designs, Apple has demonstrated that MagSafe can coexist with thin profiles, as proven by the iPhone Air. The result is a fragmented Android accessory market versus Apple's unified magnetic ecosystem.