Prime Highlights
- iPhone 17e launches at $599, targeting the competitive mid-range smartphone market while adding premium features like the A19 chip and Apple Intelligence.
- iPad Air upgraded with the new M4 chip, signaling Apple’s broader push to strengthen its tablet lineup amid rising demand.
Key Facts
- The iPhone 17e features a 1-inch display, A19 chip, C1X modem, tougher glass, MagSafe charging, and 256GB base storage, with preorders starting March 4 and in-store availability on March 11.
- The updated iPad Air starts at $599 for the 11-inch model and $799 for the 13-inch version, offering up to 30% faster performance compared to the previous M3-powered model.
Background
Apple on Monday unveiled a lower-cost iPhone 17e and a faster iPad Air, opening what appears to be a week of hardware announcements. The company introduced the devices as part of a broader product push aimed at both mid-range smartphone buyers and tablet users.
The iPhone 17e headlines the launch. The new model starts at $599, placing it below the $799 standard iPhone 17. With this pricing, Apple is targeting the competitive mid-tier smartphone market, where it faces rivals such as Samsung and Google, along with Chinese brands in price-sensitive regions.
Apple kept the 6.1-inch display size but added several upgrades. The device runs on the new A19 chip and features the updated C1X modem. It also includes tougher glass, MagSafe charging, and 256GB of base storage, double the capacity of last year’s entry model. The 17e also supports Apple Intelligence, bringing advanced features to a more affordable device.
Despite these upgrades, Apple maintained the $599 starting price. Industry watchers see this as a strong value move, especially at a time when rising memory costs have affected smartphone pricing across the market.
The company will offer the iPhone 17e in pink, black, and white. Preorders begin March 4, and the phone will be available in stores starting March 11.
Alongside the iPhone launch, Apple refreshed the iPad Air. The tablet keeps its design and price but moves from the M3 chip to the more powerful M4 chip. The 11-inch model starts at $599, while the 13-inch version remains $799. Apple said the new processor delivers up to 30% faster performance, along with improved wireless and cellular connectivity.
The update follows strong holiday-quarter performance for iPads, with Apple reporting that about half of buyers were first-time users. Reports suggest Apple has asked retail stores to prepare for heavy customer traffic this week, signaling confidence in the new releases.
