Repair site iFixit has torn down Apple's new low-cost iPhone 17e, revealing a significant upgrade path for iPhone 16e owners. The teardown shows the MagSafe back panel on the iPhone 17e is fully interchangeable with the panel on the iPhone 16e. This means users with a 16e can potentially swap in a 17e MagSafe panel to add MagSafe functionality and faster Qi charging without purchasing a new phone.

While the 16e lacks the software to support MagSafe animations and may not charge at full 15W, the physical upgrade is possible, offering a potential cost-saving solution for existing customers. This cross-compatibility is hailed as a win for repairability by iFixit, simplifying parts sourcing and reducing upgrade costs.