Apple iPhone 17e Unveiled: $599 Debut at Spring Showcase

Apple Kicks Off Spring Showcase With $599 iPhone 17e Debut

The tech giant’s three-day event starts with a powerful A19-equipped entry-level phone, with M5 MacBooks expected to follow through March 4.

Marcus J. Delany

Mar 2, 2026, 7:00 AM PT · 1 min read

Tim Cook and Chongqing Mayor Huang — Photo: Junyi Lou / CC BY-SA 4.0 via Wikimedia Commons

THE RUNDOWN

Apple launched the iPhone 17e on March 2 for $599.
The new device features an A19 chip and 256GB base storage.
The 'Spring Showcase' rollout continues through Wednesday, March 4.
New MacBook Pro and Air models with M5 chips are expected next.
A rumored budget MacBook may feature the A18 Pro processor.

Apple officially kicked off its Spring Showcase on March 2, 2026, delivering a major update for budget-conscious tech fans. The company unveiled the iPhone 17e, which enters the market at a competitive $599. According to the Apple Newsroom, the new device is powered by the advanced A19 chip and features a generous 256GB of base storage, doubling the capacity of previous entry-level models.

The announcement marks the start of a massive three-day product rollout. CEO Tim Cook confirmed via 9to5Mac that this launch week will continue through March 4. Reports from Forbes suggest Apple is favoring a series of rapid-fire digital reveals over a traditional single-day keynote, ensuring a steady stream of hardware news throughout the week.

Apple Headquarters in Cupertino — Photo: Joe Ravi (Shutterstock iStock Dreamstime) / CC BY-SA 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons

The momentum is expected to shift toward the Mac lineup on Tuesday and Wednesday. Tom’s Guide reports that Apple will likely debut new MacBook Pro and MacBook Air models equipped with the next-generation M5-series chips. Additionally, the event may feature a new budget-friendly MacBook utilizing the A18 Pro processor to deliver high performance at a lower price point.