Apple’s iPad Air M4 Still Tops Tablet Lineup, While iPhone 17e Offers Budget Appeal

Apple’s iPad Air M4 continues to dominate the company’s tablet hierarchy despite a display that has not changed since the previous generation, according to Engadget’s Nathan Ingraham. The reviewer notes that the Air’s “M4 chip – the same silicon that powered the 2024 iPad Pro – delivers performance that outstrips the entry‑level iPad and rivals the Pro’s baseline models.” Coupled with 8 GB of RAM, a 13‑inch Liquid Retina panel and support for the Apple Pencil Pro and Magic Keyboard, the Air remains the most capable all‑round tablet in Apple’s lineup. However, Ingraham points out a key shortcoming: “the screen is exactly the same as the 2025 model, so the visual experience feels dated compared with competitors that have upgraded to higher‑refresh‑rate panels.” The lack of a display refresh‑rate bump or brighter peak luminance means the Air’s visual edge is eroding, even as its processor stays ahead.

The Air’s pricing also reinforces its position. At $749 for the base 128 GB configuration, it undercuts the 13‑inch iPad Pro, which starts above $1,300, while still offering a larger form factor than the 11‑inch Air. Engadget highlights that “the Air line is the only way to get a 13‑inch iPad without spending $1,300 or more,” making it the sweet spot for users who need a sizable screen for productivity but cannot justify Pro‑level expense. This price‑performance balance has kept the Air at the top of most “best tablet” lists for 2026, including CNET’s roundup that still ranks the Air among the year’s premier devices.

In contrast, Apple’s newly announced iPhone 17e targets a very different market segment. Engadget’s Cherlynn Low describes the 17e as “the economical choice” that sells for $599, roughly half the price of the flagship iPhone 17 Pro and $200 less than the base iPhone 17. The device reuses the A16‑B chip from the prior year’s entry‑level model, offering “adequate performance for Slack, email and light Docs editing,” according to Low’s hands‑on testing. By releasing an entry‑level iPhone on an annual cadence—only a year after the iPhone 16e—Apple signals a strategic shift toward the mid‑range market, a move Low attributes to “the current state of global economics” and the growing consumer appetite for lower‑cost smartphones.

The 17e’s stripped‑down feature set is intentional. It omits the high‑refresh ProMotion display, the triple‑camera array and the premium materials that drive the price of the Pro line. Yet it retains essential capabilities such as 5G, Face ID and a durable glass‑back design, ensuring the device does not feel like a compromised legacy model. Low notes that “most people probably don’t make full use of the high‑powered machines in their pockets,” suggesting that the 17e will appeal to users who view their phone primarily as a communication tool rather than a content‑creation powerhouse. The pricing also positions the 17e as a viable secondary device for families or a primary handset for budget‑conscious buyers in emerging markets.

Analysts see the dual strategy—keeping the Air at the top of the tablet tier while expanding the low‑end iPhone segment—as a way for Apple to maximize revenue across disparate price points. The Air’s continued dominance helps preserve Apple’s premium tablet margin, while the 17e’s sub‑$600 price could attract a broader user base without cannibalizing sales of the higher‑margin Pro models. As Engadget’s Ingraham observes, “the Air is a notable step up over the basic iPad,” and its performance edge justifies its premium. Simultaneously, Low’s review underscores that “the iPhone 17e checks the boxes for the basics,” delivering a functional, affordable smartphone that aligns with Apple’s broader effort to capture the mid‑range market.