Apple kicked off what it promised would be a “big week” with a bang, unveiling two significant updates ahead of its anticipated in-person event. While the tech giant has an event scheduled for March 4, it didn’t wait to make headlines. Monday saw the surprise debut of the iPhone 17e and a refreshed iPad Air, now powered by the M4 chip. This initial wave of announcements sets the stage for what promises to be an exciting period for Apple enthusiasts.
The iPhone 17e: Enhanced Entry-Level Power
Apple has given its entry-level iPhone a substantial boost this year, delivering a suite of solid upgrades while maintaining an accessible starting price of $599. The iPhone 17e arrives with double the base storage of its predecessor, the iPhone 16e, now offering a generous 256GB. Connectivity also sees a significant leap with MagSafe support and Qi2 wireless charging, boasting speeds of up to 15W – twice that of the previous model.
Familiar Aesthetics, Robust Internals
While the iPhone 17e retains a design largely identical to its predecessor, Apple has focused its innovation beneath the surface. The device continues to feature the reliable 48MP Fusion camera system. However, the 6.1-inch Super Retina display now incorporates Ceramic Shield 2, promising “3x better scratch resistance than the previous generation and reduced glare,” enhancing durability and viewing experience.
Under the hood, the iPhone 17e is equipped with Apple’s C1X cellular modem, which is reportedly up to two times faster than the C1 found in the iPhone 16e, ensuring quicker and more reliable mobile data. Crucially, it shares the powerful A19 chip with the iPhone 17, enabling full support for Apple’s new Intelligence AI tools and running on the latest iOS 26.
Durability and Advanced Features
Further enhancing its appeal, the iPhone 17e boasts an IP68 rating for impressive water and dust resistance, coupled with the promise of “all-day battery life.” It also integrates Apple’s satellite-powered features, including Emergency SOS, Roadside Assistance, Messages, and Find My, offering critical connectivity in remote areas.
Pre-orders for the iPhone 17e commence on March 4, with availability in black, white, and soft pink. The device is set to hit shelves in over 70 countries and regions on March 11.
iPad Air M4: A Mid-Range Powerhouse
The latest iteration of the iPad Air makes a significant leap in performance, now featuring Apple’s M4 chip. This positions the mid-range tablet as a formidable device, even if it technically remains a generation behind the top-tier iPad Pro, which sports the newer M5 chip. Despite the M4 being almost two years old, it offers more than enough power for everyday tasks such as streaming, web browsing, and email, and is considerably more capable for resource-intensive applications like video editing compared to previous iPad Air models.
Enhanced Performance and Connectivity
Apple has also boosted the RAM in the new iPad Air, increasing it from 8GB to a substantial 12GB. Surprisingly, despite recent increases in RAM prices, Apple has maintained the same competitive pricing for the iPad Air. The 11-inch M4 iPad Air starts at $599, while the 13-inch version begins at $799, both equipped with 128GB of storage. An additional $50 discount is available for educational purchases.
Performance benchmarks are impressive, with Apple claiming the M4 delivers up to 2.3 times faster performance than the M1 iPad Air and “over 4x faster 3D pro rendering with ray tracing performance.” The new iPad Air, of course, runs on iPadOS 26.
Connectivity also sees a major upgrade with the inclusion of Apple’s N1 and C1X chips, making this the first iPad Air to support Wi-Fi 7. As expected, 5G cellular connectivity options are also available, ensuring blazing-fast internet speeds on the go.
Familiar Design, Unchanged Display
In terms of design, the M4 iPad Air largely retains the aesthetic of its predecessors. It continues to feature the same LCD display used in the last two generations of the tablet, and the company has opted to stick with the existing rear-facing camera and dual-speaker setup.
Like the iPhone 17e, pre-orders for the M4 iPad Air open on March 4. The tablet will be available in 35 countries and regions starting March 11, offered in attractive blue, purple, starlight, and space gray finishes.
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