iPhone 17e might fix key limitations of the iPhone 16e with MagSafe charging and C1X modem
The rumored iPhone 17e could mark a turning point for Apple’s affordable lineup with MagSafe charging and a more power-efficient C1X modem.
Andy Boxall / Digital Trends
Apple’s iPhone 17e, the purported successor to the iPhone 16e, could include magnetic wireless charging, or what the company calls MagSafe charging (via The Information). This could be a significant upgrade over the current iPhone 16e, which is limited to Qi wireless charging at 7.5W.
The inclusion of MagSafe technology would not only enable faster wireless charging (likely at 20W or 25W), but also let buyers use a variety of accessories — like wallets, charging pucks, wireless power banks, phone stands, etc. — with the iPhone.
iPhone 17e could leverage MagSafe’s pros
It is worth noting that only the models in the iPhone 16 and iPhone 17 series support 25W MagSafe charging. Other models support slower wireless charging speeds. For instance, the iPhone Air maxes out at 20W, while the models in the iPhone series (and older lineups) are capped at 15W.
If the iPhone 17e supports MagSafe charging at 20W or 25W, it will outperform several older models, including flagships, by a noticeable margin, making it a solid prospect for marketing the product. Obviously, it will also bridge the gap between wired and wireless charging speeds on the iPhone 17e.
The report also mentions that the iPhone 17e could feature Apple’s C1X modem instead of the C1 modem on the iPhone 16e. Introduced with the iPhone Air, the C1X modem is up to twice as fast as the original on the same cellular technologies. Apple also claims the newer modem is faster than the one in the iPhone 16 Pro while consuming 30% less energy.
Furthermore, the C1X is Apple’s most power-efficient modem, which could improve the iPhone 17e’s video playback ratings and real-world battery life. However, the newer modem still lacks mmWave 5G support, a feature present on the iPhone 17 models.
Finally, the iPhone 17e might not include Apple’s N1 wireless networking chip. For those catching up, the chip enables Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth v6.0, and Thread connectivity on the iPhone 17 series. It could be a conscious decision to maintain a difference between the affordable and flagship models.
While these are newer updates about the iPhone 17e, the handset is also rumored to include the 18MP Center Stage front camera we’ve seen on the iPhone 17 models. Meanwhile, the iPhone 18 series is said to come with an under-display camera on the front.
For more than five years, Shikhar has consistently simplified developments in the field of consumer tech and presented them…
Your next Samsung Galaxy A series phone could be more expensive
A rumored price hike in India has sparked speculation about next-gen Galaxy A series prices.
Samsung’s upcoming devices could get more expensive, and the price hike may extend beyond its flagship Galaxy S26 series. A report from early last month suggested that the company could raise prices of its next-gen flagships due to rising costs of key components like SoCs, camera modules, and RAM. Now, a new tip indicates that the South Korean giant may soon increase the prices of existing Galaxy A models in one market, fueling speculation that its next-gen A series devices could see similar hikes.
According to a recent post by tipster Abhishek Yadav on X (via SamMobile), Samsung reportedly plans to raise the price of the Galaxy A56 in India by INR 2,000 (~$22). Other models in the Galaxy A series lineup could also see a price hike of INR 1,000 (~$11). Although there have been no reports of a similar hike planned for other markets and Samsung has yet to make anything official, the tip has sparked speculation that this higher pricing could carry over to upcoming Galaxy A series devices.
Forget the Galaxy S26; some of Samsung’s coolest tech of 2026 could be revealed at CES
Here’s what you should expect from Samsung’s offerings at CES 2026
One of the biggest companies to watch over CES 2026, an annual tech event which this year starts on January 6, is Samsung. Actually, you should probably make an earlier mark on your calendar: the Korean brand’s tie-in press conference actually starts before CES, on January 4.
No, it’s not where we’ll see the Samsung Galaxy S26 family. Or the Galaxy Tab S12, or Buds 4 or Watch 9 or whatever other piece of mobile tech you’re yearning for from the brand. They’ll likely come later in January, or in February, but what Samsung does show off could be just as cool.
Apple Watch update makes it easier to understand your sleep quality
Apple’s watchOS 26.2 update doesn’t add flashy new features, but it meaningfully improves how your Apple Watch explains your sleep.
Apple has started rolling out watchOS 26.2, a new Apple Watch update. Though the latest firmware doesn’t include many novel features, it introduces a noticeable change to sleep tracking. The sleep scores are now categorized to better indicate how well you actually rested during the night (via 9To5Mac).
Previously, the Apple Watch sleep scores felt more optimistic than accurate. Even on nights with inconsistent sleep, the watch showed an excellent rating in the morning. However, with watchOS 26.2, Apple has addressed the issue by tightening the ratings.
