Apple unveils iPhone 17e, M4 iPad Air with fresh chips, satellite, and Wi

Apple has expanded its hardware lineup with the launch of the iPhone 17e and a new iPad Air powered by the M4 chip. Both devices feature stronger performance, upgraded displays, improved battery life, and more storage, all without increasing the starting price. The iPhone 17e becomes the most affordable entry into the iPhone 17 family, while the iPad Air sees a significant jump in power and memory.

iPhone 17e: More storage and stronger performance The iPhone 17e now comes with 256GB of storage as standard. That doubles the base storage compared to the previous generation at the same price, making it a more practical option for users who capture 4K video, install large apps, or store extensive photo libraries.

The device runs on Apple’s A19 chip, built on 3-nanometer architecture. It features a 6-core CPU and a 4-core GPU. Apple states the CPU delivers up to twice the performance of the iPhone 11. The chip also includes a 16-core Neural Engine designed to support on-device AI processing.

Apple has introduced C1X, its latest in-house cellular modem, in the iPhone 17e. The company says C1X is up to twice as fast as the previous C1 modem and consumes 30 per cent less energy. The modem supports 5G connectivity. Display: brighter and more durable The iPhone 17e features a 6.1-inch Super Retina XDR OLED display designed for both media consumption and outdoor visibility.

It offers up to 1200 nits of peak HDR brightness, making content easier to see in bright environments. Apple has introduced Ceramic Shield 2 on the front glass, claiming three times the scratch resistance of the previous generation and reduced glare. The device retains an aerospace-grade aluminium body and carries an IP68 rating for water and dust resistance.

Battery, charging and connectivity Apple says battery life has improved due to the A19 chip’s efficiency, the new C1X cellular modem, and power management in iOS 26. The C1X modem is up to twice as fast as the previous C1 and consumes 30 per cent less energy, contributing to what Apple describes as reliable all-day battery life.

The iPhone 17e supports USB-C fast charging, reaching up to 50 per cent in around 30 minutes. It also supports MagSafe and Qi2 wireless charging at up to 15W, allowing compatibility with a wide ecosystem of magnetic accessories. Camera and satellite safety The iPhone 17e includes a 48MP Fusion camera that can shoot at full resolution or default to 24MP for balanced image quality and file size.

It offers optical-quality 2x zoom and improved Portrait mode with adjustable depth control after capture. Video recording supports 4K Dolby Vision at 60 frames per second, along with Spatial Audio recording. Satellite connectivity remains a key feature, supporting Emergency SOS, Messages, Roadside Assistance, and Find My via satellite when cellular and Wi-Fi networks are unavailable.

Crash Detection can automatically alert emergency services in severe accidents. iPad Air With M4 Apple also unveiled a new iPad Air powered by the M4 chip, keeping the starting price for the 11-inch model unchanged. The tablet is available in blue, purple, starlight, and space grey, with storage options from 128GB to 1TB.

The M4 chip features an 8-core CPU and 9-core GPU, delivering up to 30 per cent faster performance compared to the M3 version and up to 2.3 times faster performance compared to the M1 model. Unified memory increases to 12GB, supporting heavier multitasking and AI workloads. Display: two sizes, all-day viewing The iPad Air is available in 11-inch and 13-inch Liquid Retina displays, offering more workspace for multitasking and creative work.