Apple Unveils Budget iPhone 17e with 48MP Camera and New iPad Air with M4 Chip
Apple has recently launched its new budget-friendly iPhone 17e alongside an updated iPad Air, featuring significant enhancements. This launch brings advanced technology to a wider audience, with a focus on improved performance and camera capabilities.
Apple Unveils Budget iPhone 17e with 48MP Camera and New iPad Air with M4 Chip
iPhone 17e: Affordable Innovation
The iPhone 17e, positioned as a more accessible option in the iPhone 17 series, comes with several compelling features:
Camera: The device boasts a 48MP Fusion Camera on the rear, offering 2x optical-quality zoom through in-sensor cropping without requiring additional lenses. The front features a powerful camera with Face ID sensor for selfies .
Performance: Powered by the new A19 chipset, built on a 3nm process, the iPhone 17e promises significantly faster CPU performance—reportedly twice as fast as the iPhone 11. It also includes hardware-accelerated ray tracing for enhanced gaming .
Storage: The base model now offers 256GB of storage, a notable upgrade from the previous 128GB in the iPhone 16e, though this also contributes to a slightly higher price point .
Design & Durability: The iPhone 17e features Ceramic Shield 2 on the front, providing three times more scratch protection. The back panel has a matte texture for a better grip. It retains the classic ‘notch’ design and includes a dedicated action button for shortcuts. Charging is facilitated via a USB Type-C port. It will be available in Soft Pink, White, and Black .
Software: Running on the latest iOS 26, the iPhone 17e introduces ‘Apple Intelligence’ features such as call screening and live translation .
Pricing & Availability: The starting price for the iPhone 17e is ₹64,900, with higher variants priced at ₹84,900. Pre-orders began on March 4th at 7:45 PM, and sales are set to commence on March 11th .
New iPad Air: A Leap in Performance
Apple has also refreshed its iPad Air lineup, equipping it with the powerful M4 processor, promising a desktop-like experience:
Performance: The new iPad Air is equipped with an 8-core CPU and 9-core GPU M4 processor. Apple claims its 3D rendering speed is four times faster than the M1 model .
Memory: The base model now includes 12GB of unified memory, a 50% increase from previous models, with a memory bandwidth of 120GB/s .
Design: Maintaining its slim and lightweight aluminum profile, the iPad Air is available in 11-inch and 13-inch sizes with Super Retina displays and thin bezels. It also features a USB Type-C port for fast data transfer and charging .
Accessories: The new iPad Air supports the latest Apple Pencil Pro and Magic Keyboard, transforming it into a versatile mini-laptop .
Software & AI: Running on iPadOS 26 with a Liquid Glass interface, it offers enhanced file management and folder customization for a desktop-like feel. Its 16-core Neural Engine is three times faster than older models, accelerating AI tasks like background removal in videos and image recognition .
Pricing & Availability: The starting price for the iPad Air is ₹64,900, with student discounts available, bringing the price down to ₹59,900 for eligible buyers. Pre-orders and sales dates are consistent with the iPhone 17e .
Apple Unveils Budget iPhone 17e with 48MP Camera and New iPad Air with M4 Chip
Conclusion
Apple’s latest offerings, the iPhone 17e and the M4-powered iPad Air, demonstrate a commitment to delivering powerful and feature-rich devices across different price points. With significant upgrades in camera technology, processing power, and user experience, these new products are set to make a considerable impact in the Indian market.
