Apple launches low-cost iPhone 17e and new iPad Air

apple will kick off its product launch week Monday morning with a refreshed, lower-cost iPhone and faster iPad Air, likely kicking off a broad multi-day hardware push.

The featured device is the new iPhone 17e, the lower-priced model in the iPhone 17 lineup, starting at $599, below the standard iPhone 17’s $799.

That makes it an important product for Apple in the mid-range smartphone market, where it competes more directly with other companies’ lower-priced devices. samsung, googlea Chinese mobile phone manufacturer especially in the price-sensitive market.

The 17e maintains the same 6.1-inch size but adds tougher glass, Apple’s A19 chip, a new C1X modem, MagSafe charging, and 256GB of initial storage, double the base capacity of last year’s model. It also adds support for Apple Intelligence, bringing the lower-priced model with features on par with the rest of the lineup.

The same starting price of $599 despite having more storage and additional features suggests that Apple is trying to make the entry-level iPhone more attractive without lowering the price of its flagship lineup.

This stands out as rising memory prices weigh on the overall smartphone market, making the 17e a more aggressive value play for Apple as it seeks to attract price-conscious buyers.

The new devices come in pink, black, and white colors, and pre-orders will begin on March 4th, with in-store sales starting on March 11th.

Apple has also updated the iPad Air, which has the same design and price but moves from the M3 to the M4 chip.

The 11-inch model continues to start at $599, while the 13-inch version remains at $799. Apple said in a release that the new processor is up to 30% faster than the previous generation. Apple said the new iPad Air delivers faster wireless performance and improved cellular connectivity on models with mobile data.

The iPad refresh helps build momentum in the category, which did well in the holiday quarter, as Apple seeks to maintain demand for its tablets with faster chips rather than major redesigns.

This could be especially important if Apple continues to see strong demand from first-time buyers in this category. The company said that in the most recent holiday quarter, about half of iPad buyers were using the product for the first time.

The company plans to make product announcements in the coming days. According to a report from Bloomberg, Apple has told stores to prepare for large crowds.

This level of retail readiness suggests that Apple expects at least one of its products launching this week to have broader mainstream appeal, as well as increased interest from existing users.