iFixit teardown confirms iPhone 17e's high repairability and surprise MagSafe upgrade for 16e
Apple’s entry-level devices for 2026 are refreshingly easy to repair. After the MacBook Neo surprised testers in a teardown with its high repairability, experts at iFixit have now disassembled the iPhone 17e (shown in the video below), revealing something unexpected: The device’s new MagSafe-enabled backplate is compatible with the iPhone 16e.
This indicates that MagSafe can be added to the iPhone 16e without much effort. However, buying a replacement directly from Apple would probably be expensive. While Apple’s Self Service Repair Store has yet to list any spare parts for the iPhone 17e, the backplates for both the iPhone 16e and 17 are priced at a steep $159 each. It is likely only a matter of time before third-party companies begin offering more affordable alternatives.
Other than the MagSafe back glass, the teardown process for the iPhone 17e is very similar to that of its predecessor. Opening the smartphone involves undoing two screws at the bottom and then separating the backplate, which is secured with clips and adhesive, from the frame. Once the internals are accessible, the device’s 4,005 mAh battery, 48 MP main camera, and 12 MP front-facing camera can be replaced with relative ease.
iFixit criticises that replacing the USB-C port remains very time-consuming, as it requires the phone to be almost completely disassembled. On the bright side, the iPhone 17e can also be opened from the front for screen replacement, eliminating the need for unnecessary teardown work. Since many spare parts for the iPhone 16e are compatible with the iPhone 17e as well, Apple’s latest budget-focused iPhone earned a respectable repairability score of 7/10 from iFixit.
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