Apple Launches Affordable iPhone 17 E Amid AI Competition Concerns
Apple has unveiled its new budget-friendly smartphone, the **iPhone 17 E**, addressing concerns that the company was lagging in the artificial intelligence (AI) race.
The **iPhone 17 E** starts at **$599** (approximately PKR 168,000), **$200 less than the standard iPhone 17**. While it features the same powerful processor as higher-end models, the device has a slightly smaller display, 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 typically does not release a budget version every year, but following the success of last year’s **iPhone 16 E**, the company decided to continue the trend, signaling growing consumer interest in lower-priced iPhones.
Apple CEO Tim Cook noted a significant increase in iPhone demand, with many Android users switching to Apple last year. The **iPhone 17 E** aims to attract users of older iPhone models so they can benefit from Apple’s latest AI features.
This launch comes at a challenging time for the global smartphone industry, with experts predicting a **7% decline in the global market** in the first quarter of 2026. However, it is a crucial year for Apple, as the company plans to **update its voice assistant Siri with Google’s Gemini AI model** and is expected to introduce its first **foldable iPhone** soon.
The **iPhone 17 E** will be available in **black, white, and pink**, with increased memory and a modem that is **twice as fast** as the previous model. Alongside the iPhone, Apple also announced a new **iPad Air**.
