iFixit has released its latest teardown video, offering an in-depth look at the internal components of the iPhone 16e.

Larger battery capacity

The iPhone 16e features an easy-to-remove adhesive battery, similar to other iPhone 16 models. This adhesive can be detached using a low-voltage current.

A previous teardown video confirmed that the iPhone 16e houses a 15.55Wh battery, a notable upgrade from the 13.83Wh battery in its predecessor.

According to iFixit, Apple was able to fit a larger battery in the iPhone 16e because of the extra space available from having only a single rear camera.

A closer look at Apple’s C1 modem

iFixit’s teardown provides the first detailed look at Apple’s self-developed C1 modem, marking a significant shift away from Qualcomm.

The C1 modem is located on the underside of the RF motherboard and has a packaging structure similar to Qualcomm’s X71M modem, consisting of a 4nm modem and DRAM. However, unlike Qualcomm’s modems, the 7nm transceivers are not integrated into the same package as the modem.

Repairability: Still difficult, but improving

iFixit noted that the iPhone 16e remains difficult to repair. For example, replacing the USB-C port requires disassembling the entire internal structure.

Despite this, the teardown revealed some repairability improvements. Apple has reduced component pairing restrictions in iOS and introduced a metal bracket to protect flex cables from being cut during disassembly.

In September last year, iFixit gave the iPhone 16 a repairability score of 7/10, nearly double the 4/10 score of the iPhone 15.

According to iFixit, these changes mark a major step toward making iPhone repairs more consistent. However, they remain critical of some Apple design decisions that still make repairs difficult.

Key upgrades worth noting

The iPhone 16e fully supports all new AI-powered Apple Intelligence features, something that the iPhone 15 and 15 Plus - despite launching just a year earlier - do not.

Apple’s latest budget-friendly iPhone also features the A18 chip, which not only enhances performance but also ensures future compatibility with Apple Intelligence and upcoming software updates.

Apple claims that the iPhone 16e’s battery lasts up to 26 hours, approximately 30% longer than the iPhone 15.

The Action Button and 8GB of RAM are also noteworthy improvements.

The Action Button can be customized for various functions, including:

Quick access to the Camera

Activating Focus Mode

Starting a Timer

Running Shortcuts

Using Shazam to identify songs

Enabling features in the Control Center

The 8GB RAM - a 33% increase from the iPhone 15’s 6GB - not only supports Apple Intelligence but also enhances overall performance, ensuring smoother operation, especially as future iOS updates demand more resources.