Apple delivered a wave of launches after promising a packed announcement week. The company introduced refreshed iPhone, iPad, and Mac hardware across several price tiers. It also updated external displays and expanded chip options for pro laptops. The cadence signaled a push to refresh core categories quickly. It also aimed to widen entry points for new buyers.
The week began with the debut of the iPhone 17e and the M4 iPad Air. Apple then revealed an M5 MacBook Air. It also introduced the M5 Pro and M5 Max chips. Those chips power new MacBook Pro models. Apple closed with a refreshed Studio Display and a new 27 inch Studio Display XDR. Apple also confirmed the MacBook Neo after an early leak.
Retail availability lines up across most devices on March 11. Preorders opened during the week for the new lineup. Apple also positioned many devices around Apple Intelligence support. That focus linked hardware upgrades to the company’s AI tool set.
iPhone 17e and M4 iPad Air
Apple kept the iPhone 17e starting price at $599. It doubled base storage to 256GB compared with the prior budget model. Apple added MagSafe support and Qi2 charging up to 15W. The phone uses the same A19 chip as the iPhone 17. That choice enables Apple Intelligence features. The device runs iOS 26.
Apple kept the familiar 6.1 inch display size. It added Ceramic Shield 2 and cited improved scratch resistance and lower glare. The phone includes Apple’s C1X modem. Apple said it runs up to two times faster than the prior C series modem. Apple kept the 48MP Fusion camera setup. The phone carries an IP68 rating. It supports satellite features for Emergency SOS and related services. Color options include black, white, and soft pink.
The iPad Air moved to the M4 chip. Apple kept pricing unchanged at $599 for the 11 inch model. The 13 inch version starts at $799. Base storage remains 128GB. Apple increased memory to 12GB, up from 8GB. Apple said the M4 delivers up to 2.3 times faster performance than the M1 iPad Air. It also cited improved rendering with ray tracing. The tablet runs iPadOS 26.
Apple added the N1 wireless chip and the C1X connectivity chip. That enables Wi Fi 7 on the iPad Air line. Apple kept the design and the LCD panel consistent with recent models. Colors include blue, purple, starlight, and space gray.
M5 Era MacBooks and a New Budget Laptop
Apple advanced the MacBook Air to the M5 chip. The 13 inch model now starts at $1,099. The 15 inch model starts at $1,299. Apple raised the base price compared with the prior generation. It also doubled base storage to 512GB. Apple said the SSD offers faster read and write performance. The laptop includes the N1 chip for Wi Fi 7 and Bluetooth 6. It ships with 16GB of unified memory. Apple listed 153GB/s memory bandwidth. The company kept the familiar Liquid Retina display and 12MP Center Stage camera. Apple also repeated its up to 18 hours battery claim. Color options include sky blue, midnight, starlight, and silver.
Apple also rolled out new MacBook Pro models with the M5 Pro and M5 Max. The 14 inch MacBook Pro starts at $2,199. That configuration includes 24GB of memory and 1TB of storage. Apple raised the entry price by $200 versus the prior base tier. The 16 inch MacBook Pro starts at $2,699. It also includes 24GB memory and 1TB storage. Apple kept the Liquid Retina XDR display and 12MP Center Stage camera. They also mentioned added the N1 chip for Wi Fi 7 and Bluetooth 6.
Apple described a new “Fusion Architecture” for the M5 Pro and Max. It said the design combines two dies into one SoC. Apple framed the change as a path to higher performance and efficiency.
Moreover, the announcement also broadened the low end with the new MacBook Neo at $599. Apple said it targets buyers shopping cheap Windows laptops and Chromebooks. The Neo uses the A18 Pro chip. It includes an 8GB unified memory configuration. Apple paired that with a 13 inch Liquid Retina display at 500 nits. The base model includes 256GB storage. A $100 step up adds Touch ID and 512GB storage. Apple included two USB C ports and a headphone jack. The Neo lacks MagSafe. It runs macOS Tahoe and supports Apple Intelligence features.
Studio Display Updates and XDR Returns
Apple updated the Studio Display and introduced a new Studio Display XDR. The new XDR model uses a 27 inch 5K Retina XDR panel. Also, it relies on mini LED backlighting with more than 2,000 dimming zones. Apple quoted 2,000 nits peak HDR brightness. It also added a 120Hz refresh rate. That marks a jump from the older 60Hz ceiling. Apple ships a tilt and height adjustable stand as standard. The XDR model starts at $3,299. Nano texture glass raises the price to $3,599.
Apple refreshed the standard Studio Display with a 12MP Center Stage camera and Desk View support. It kept the 27 inch 5K panel with 600 nits brightness. Apple added Thunderbolt 5 and display daisy chaining support. The base model starts at $1,599. Nano texture glass adds $300. A height adjustable stand adds $400.
