iPhone 17e video shows off new features
Apple has posted a minute-long iPhone 17e video that takes a different approach than its usual advertising. It features a voiceover running through the new features in a highly edited, scatterhot fashion. Watch it below:
OS 26.4 beta intrigue
This could be just a quirk unrelated to this week’s announcements, but Apple released the third OS 26.4 beta updates to developers today for iOS, iPad OS, watchOS, tvOS, and visionOS—everything but macOS. Could that signal that new Macs are on the way on Tuesday, and Apple is still working on it? We’ll have to wait until tomorrow to see.
New iPhone case and strap colors!
Along with the iPhone 17e, Apple has announced a new set of colors for its accessories. The iPhone 17, 17 Pro, and 17 Pro Max silicone cases now come in Bright Guava (pink) and Vanilla (off-white), while the iPhone 17 silicone case gets an Electric Lavender (purple) color as well. The iPhone 17e silicone cases also come in Bright Guava and Vanilla, along with a new Soft Pink option to match the new phone. The same color options extend to Apple Watch bands and Crossbody straps.
Apple
Deal: M3 iPad Air for $150 off
If you’re shopping for a new iPad Air, you can save $150 on the 5G version of the 11-inch M3 model right now. That’s basically getting all-over wireless connectivity for free, and you’re not missing out on much compared to the new model. We don’t expect this deal to last very long (non-5G variants are already sold out), so go grab it if you want one.
iPhone 17e: It’s not exciting but it’s still a good deal
The iPhone 17e may not be a huge upgrade over last year’s 16e, but for most users it still delivers a good experience and value at a price that’s 25% less than the iPhone 17.
Lots more planned for this week
Apple announced the new iPad Air and iPhone 17e this morning, but that’s just the start of a very busy week. Still to come:
Plus, we could get a new version of iOS 26.3 to support the new products. We’ll have lots more coverage through today and the rest of this week, so keep this page open in your browser!
iPad Air: Heigh‐Ho, ho-hum
There’s not much to say about the new iPad Air, but it’s still a great tablet at a great price.
iPhone 17e: More MagSafe disappointment
David Price digs into the iPhone 17e announcement to separate the good (MagSafe, storage pricing) from the bad (MagSafe speeds, binned A19 chip).
Apple
Where’s the iPad?
Apple updated the iPad Air today but didn’t release a new base-level iPad, which is also expected to get a chip refresh this week. It seems like the two models go hand-in-hand, so maybe Apple has something bigger for the entry-level model?
Even Apple can’t find anything new about the iPad Air
Apple’s tagline for the iPad Air is, “Now supercharged by M4,” which is the same as before, when it was “Now supercharged by M3.”
Odd preorder time
The new iPad Air and iPhone 17e will be available for preorder beginning Wednesday, March 4 at 9:15am ET. That differs from the usual timing, which is traditionally on a Friday at 8am ET, but could be to coincide with Apple’s “Experience” event, which starts a 9am ET on March 4.
iPhone 17e tidbits
A few things I’ve noticed about the iPhone 17e:
- It has a 4-core GPU compared to the iPhone 17’s 5 cores
- It’s got a Ceramic Shield 2 front with 3x better scratch resistance
- Same 26-hour battery life
- It has slower 15W MagSafe charging
- It doesn’t have the N1 chip
No new colors for the iPad Air
Apple’s iPad Air is available in the same four colors as the previous two models: blue, purple, starlight, and space gray. Sorry, iPad Air fans.
That’s a picture of the M3 iPad Air, but you’d never know.
Apple
iPhone 17e is here too!
Apple’s new entry-level iPhone has the C1X modem, A19 processor, MagSafe, and double the starting storage (256GB). It also now comes in a new soft pink color in addition to black and white. But it still has a notch. It starts at the same price, $599.
Apple
The M4 iPad Air has arrived!
Apple has announced the new iPad Air with an M4 chip, N1 and C1X modem for 5G and WiFi 7, and 12GB of RAM for the same $599 and $799 starting prices.
30 minutes away!
The first round of new products should arrive at the top of the hour on Apple.com and the Apple Newsroom. iPhone 17e? iPad Air? MacBooks!? We’ll know soon.
First products expected at 9 am ET
Based on previous announcements, we expect Apple to unveil the first of its new products on Apple.com at 9 am ET (6 am PT/2 pm GMT). So stay tuned!
A MacBook under $599?
Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman reports that Apple believes its new MacBook is “incredible value” and that it will “drive a serious number of switchers from Windows machines and Chromebooks.” This could just be Apple’s own hype machine at full tilt, but it could also signal that the new MacBook will be cheaper than we think. Could $499 be possible?
Apple Stores ready for big crowds
According to Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman, Apple expects a “major rush” of customers at its stores following this week’s announcements. I assume that’s because everyone will want to check out the new low-cost MacBook, because I doubt people will be rushing to get a look at the M4 chip in the iPad Air.
Apple March ‘experience’ event: What to expect
While Apple is promising a week of announcements, that really just means Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday. But those three days will be filled with lots of new products. We’re expecting numerous updates to existing devices, including:
Welcome to the Apple experience live blog!
Starting this morning, Apple will unveil a variety of new products over the course of the next three days. We expect products to arrive at 9 am ET, so stick around for the news, come back for the analysis of what Apple releases, and check out our social media sites (Facebook, Threads, and Bluesky) to join the conversation.
