### iPhone 16e Electrical Schematics Disclosure: Key Information
A 163-page PDF containing the electrical schematics for the iPhone 16e was momentarily exposed by the FCC, defying Apple’s clear request for confidentiality. Here’s what the documents revealed.
#### What Occurred?
During the past weekend, classified electrical schematics for the iPhone 16e models A3212/A3408/A3409/A3410 were momentarily displayed in the FCC’s equipment authorization database and were subsequently replicated by fccid.io before being removed. The filing contained an additional letter wherein Apple sought confidentiality for the schematics and block diagrams, with the documents being accessible online long enough to be observed and downloaded.
The release of these documents was likely due to an error by a certification organization or laboratory during the filing procedure. The metadata indicated that both short-term confidentiality and permanent confidentiality were marked as “no,” which was contrary to Apple’s explicit request, and may have led to their automatic publication by FCCID.io.
#### How Significant is This Disclosure?
That varies. For end users of the iPhone 16e, it’s not particularly critical. However, the electrical schematics detail components at the board level, positions of antennas, connectors, block diagrams, test pads, and other aspects of the logic board, which are details that could be extremely pertinent to hardware researchers and independent repair services.
The schematics can also provide insights into how Apple channels signals between major chips, the arrangement of test/debug pads, and the presence of concealed traces within the “sandwich” logic board. In summary, this information simplifies fault tracing and board repairs, and it could assist security researchers in identifying potential new hardware vulnerabilities.
Thus far, neither Apple nor the FCC have made any comments regarding the leak.
