Confidential Information on iPhone 16e Leaked in US Database

Technical specifications for Apple's entry-level iPhone 16e were unintentionally made public due to an error by the US Federal Communications Commission (FCC). This leak, which surfaced at the end of September, revealed a comprehensive 163-page document detailing various aspects of the device.

The information was accessible on the official FCC website as well as through data mining platforms like FCCID.IO, although it has since been removed from both sites. The document included intricate details such as block diagrams, technical descriptions, circuit schematics, antenna placements, and software security specifications.

It is unclear how this sensitive data was released, as the FCC typically uses a designation called FCC ID to ensure that documents meant for internal use only are not publicly accessible. The leaked document pertains to multiple iPhone 16e models, identified by the model numbers A3212, A3408, A3409, and A3410. The material was sent to the FCC by Apple on September 16, 2024, along with a confidentiality request.

The leak is particularly concerning, especially for Apple, which is known for its stringent secrecy protocols. While the iPhone 16e is not the latest model--having been launched in spring 2025--it is notable for being the first iPhone equipped with Apple's proprietary mobile chip, the Apple C1. Details regarding this chip are likely to be of significant interest to competitors.

In terms of hardware, the iPhone 16e features the A18 chip and retains the design elements of the iPhone 14, including its display and camera notch, although it lacks the Dynamic Island feature. Neither Apple nor the FCC has commented on this incident.

The FCC is currently operating under a government shutdown due to budgetary issues, which has rendered many federal agencies non-functional. Observers suggest that recent staff reductions within the agency may have contributed to this oversight.