Apple Launches Affordable iPhone 17 E with AI Features; Prices Start at $599
Islamabad: Apple has unveiled its new budget-friendly smartphone, the iPhone 17 E, aiming to address concerns that the company was falling behind in the artificial intelligence (AI) race.
The iPhone 17 E starts at $599 (approximately PKR 168,000), which is $200 less than the standard iPhone 17. While it features the powerful processor found in higher-end models, the phone has a slightly smaller screen, a single rear camera instead of two, and does not include the Dynamic Island feature.
The new phone will be available for sale starting March 11. Apple has typically not launched a lower-cost iPhone each year, but following the success of last year’s iPhone 16 E, the company has decided to continue the line, signaling growing consumer interest in more affordable models.
Apple CEO Tim Cook noted that iPhone demand has surged, with many Android users switching to iPhones over the past year. The iPhone 17 E is designed to attract users of older models so they can access Apple’s latest AI features.
The launch comes at a challenging time for the global smartphone industry, with analysts forecasting a possible 7% decline in global sales during the first quarter of this year. However, 2026 is expected to be a significant year for Apple, with updates planned for its Siri voice assistant using Google’s Gemini model and the anticipated launch of Apple’s first foldable phone.
The iPhone 17 E will be available in black, white, and pink, offering increased memory and a modem that is twice as fast as the previous model. Alongside the phone, Apple also announced a new iPad Air.
