#TECH: Apple offers more affordable iPhone
Reuters
APPLE has launched the iPhone 17e, its more affordable smartphone model, starting at US$599 with 256 gigabytes of storage, as it seeks to defend its share in a fiercely competitive global handset market.
The move comes as memory chip prices climb amid a global shortage, suggesting Apple may be absorbing some of the component cost pressures to make its lowest-priced model more attractive.
By offering higher storage at the same starting price point, Apple is positioning the 17e as a stronger value proposition as it looks to attract new users and protect market share against rivals facing tighter supply constraints.
Some analysts view the higher storage at the unchanged price as effectively a price cut, as customers previously had to pay extra to access greater capacity.
Customers in more than 70 countries and regions will be able to pre-order the iPhone 17e from 6.15am Pacific Time on Wednesday, with the device set to go on sale from March 11.
The iPhone 17e is powered by Apple’s latest-generation A19 chip, built on three-nanometre technology, marking a performance upgrade for the company’s entry-level line-up.
The device also features Apple’s new C1X modem, which the company said delivers faster cellular speeds while consuming less power.
In Malaysia, the iPhone 17e will be available in black, white and soft pink, with 256GB and 512GB storage options, starting at RM2,999.
The 17e also gains MagSafe support for the first time in the “e” series, enabling access to Apple’s magnetic ecosystem of chargers and accessories and supporting wireless charging speeds of up to 15 watts, compared with slower standard Qi charging on the previous model.
Apple on Monday also unveiled a redesigned iPad Air powered by the new M4 chip, with the 11-inch model starting at US$599 and the larger 13-inch version priced at US$799.
Separately, The Information reported on Monday that Google has explored hosting servers in its data centres to power a future version of Siri using Gemini, while meeting Apple’s privacy standards, at the company’s request.
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