Apple kicked off the week by unveiling the iPhone 17e, the latest addition to its more affordable smartphone lineup. Starting at $599 with a generous 256 gigabytes of storage, the move signals the company’s intent to hold its ground in an increasingly crowded global handset market.
The timing is notable. Memory chip prices are climbing due to persistent global shortages, yet Apple appears willing to absorb some of that cost pressure rather than pass it along to customers. By keeping the price steady while doubling storage, the iPhone 17e becomes a more compelling entry point for budget-conscious buyers.
Some analysts see the higher base storage as a subtle price cut in disguise—consumers previously had to pay extra to get 256GB, so effectively, they’re getting more for the same money. It’s a smart play as rivals grapple with tighter component supplies and rising costs.
Pre-orders kick off Wednesday at 6:15 a.m. Pacific Time across more than 70 countries, with devices hitting shelves starting March 11.
Under the hood, the iPhone 17e packs Apple’s latest A19 chip, built on cutting-edge 3-nanometer technology, bringing flagship-level performance to the company’s entry-tier device. It also debuts the new C1X modem, which Apple promises delivers faster cellular speeds while sipping less power.
For the first time in the “e” series, MagSafe support makes an appearance. That means users can now tap into Apple’s ecosystem of magnetic chargers and accessories, with wireless charging speeds jumping to 15 watts—a significant upgrade over the slower standard Qi charging on previous models.
Apple didn’t stop there. The company also introduced a refreshed iPad Air powered by the new M4 chip. The 11-inch model starts at $599, while the larger 13-inch version comes in at $799.
In related news, a report from The Information suggests Google has explored hosting servers in its data centers to power a future version of Siri using its Gemini AI, all while meeting Apple’s stringent privacy standards. The move, made at Apple’s request, hints at deeper collaboration between the two tech giants behind the scenes.
About the Author
