Get ready for an exciting tech adventure! Apple's March event is live, and we've got some hot new gadgets to uncover. First up, the iPhone 17e and iPad Air M4 have been officially unveiled, but there's more to come!
Let's dive into the details. The iPhone 17e might not be as impressive as it sounds, according to MacWorld. They point out that the MagSafe charging is only 15W, which is less powerful than the iPhone 17 and its Pro models. And here's where it gets controversial: the A19 chip used in the 17e is apparently a 'binned' version, meaning it failed some manufacturing tests and might not perform as well as expected. But MacWorld assures us it's not all bad news, as these chips likely failed minor tests, and most users won't notice a difference.
Now, let's talk about the iPad Air M4. Apple claims it's 30% faster than the previous M3 model and up to 2.3 times faster than the M1-equipped iPad Air. But do we really need that much speed? Well, it depends on your perspective. If you're upgrading from an older iPad Air, you might not notice a huge difference, but if you're coming from an M1 or earlier model, the boost will be noticeable.
Moving on, what's on my dream tech list? It's the iPod, of course! I'd love to see Apple bring back the iPod, but with a modern twist. Imagine a streaming-capable device that offers an offline listening experience, reminiscent of the old days. Maybe a curated selection of albums, with limited access to keep things fresh. It's a dream, but one I'd love to see come true.
Now, let's hear from Rosie Hilder, Creative Bloq's Deputy Editor, who's been covering Apple since 2018. She admits she hasn't been wowed by today's announcements yet, but she's hopeful for some exciting surprises tomorrow. Rosie's career began in journalism in Argentina, where she worked as Deputy Editor of Time Out Buenos Aires, before returning to the UK and joining Future Plc in 2016. Since then, she's held various editorial roles, including Operations Editor for Computer Arts, 3D World, Paint & Draw, and Mac|Life, before joining Creative Bloq in 2018.
So, what can we expect tomorrow? My guess is another product pairing, like the MacBook A18 Pro with the new iPad 11, or the Studio Display 2 with the MacBook Pro M5 Pro/Max. But until then, check out this video all about the new iPad Air with the M4 chip.
One thing to note about the MagSafe charging is that its power is significantly lower than the flagship models. As MacWorld mentions, the 15W power of the 17e is slower than the 25W of the 17 and its Pro variants.
What do you think about the iPad Air M4? Is it a worthy upgrade, or are you more excited about other Apple products? Share your thoughts in the comments!
One interesting omission from the 17e is the retention of the controversial notch. It would have looked much better with the dynamic island, but the storage bump seems to be Apple's compromise.
The iPad M4 is also a powerhouse update, bringing Pro-level performance to the mid-range. While the design remains familiar, the internals have been significantly upgraded to keep up with Apple's AI-focused plans. The M4 chip offers a 30% speed boost over the M3 and a massive 2.3x increase over the M1. For creators, the real highlight is the memory upgrade, with 12GB of unified memory, providing essential bandwidth for heavy multitasking and new iPadOS 26 AI features.
Connectivity is also improved with the new N1 and C1X chips, bringing Wi-Fi 7 and faster 5G to the Air for the first time. Whether you choose the 11-inch or 13-inch model, you're getting a device perfect for editing, gaming, and creative tasks.
So, Apple's 'Big Week' has officially begun with the release of the iPhone 17e. While we expected a modest refresh, Apple has strategically overhauled the entry-level experience. The A19 chip brings flagship-tier performance, paired with Apple's first in-house C1X cellular modem, promising improved 5G efficiency. For creators, the 48MP Fusion camera is a standout feature, offering an 'optical-quality' 2x Telephoto crop, mimicking a dual-lens setup.
The iPhone 17e and iPad Air M4 are now available for pre-order, with official in-store availability starting next week. Pricing starts at $599 for both devices, with the 17e offering 256GB base storage and the iPad Air M4 (11-inch) featuring 12GB RAM. The 13-inch iPad Air M4 starts at $799.
This rollout coincides with Apple's 'Apple Experience' media events in New York, London, and Shanghai, where we'll see hands-on demos of these devices and rumored new MacBooks.
For most creatives, the iPad Air has always been a brilliant option, with its smooth speeds, stunning screen, and sleek design. And this update only makes it better. Compared to the Pro, it's a great choice if your tasks don't require supercharged performance.
If you use standard software like Photoshop, Procreate, and LumaFusion for 90% of your creative tasks, the M4 has more than enough power. But if you need a premium display for colour grading or professional drawing, the Tandem OLED and 120Hz ProMotion on the Pro models are worth considering.
The Studio Display 2 is also rumored to make a comeback, and it could be a game-changer for creative professionals. Apple's last monitor release was a while ago, but the Studio Display 2 could earn Apple a spot in our best monitor guides for graphic artists. With Retina display, HDR support, smoothness, and single-cable connectivity, it's a serious contender.
Which rumored Apple product are you most excited about? Share your thoughts in the comments!
The MacBook A18 Pro is an interesting proposition, especially for those with lighter creative tasks. It's a budget MacBook with specs that can handle most daily workflows, and it's excellent for content creators on the go. In essence, it's like an Apple version of a well-made Chromebook, offering value for those who don't need the power of a larger laptop.
If you're using an older MacBook Air with an Intel processor, the jump to the A18 Pro will be significant. You'll gain Apple Intelligence support, better battery life, and a more vibrant display. Even if you have an M1 Air, the A18 Pro offers faster single-core speeds, making web browsing and app launches feel quicker. However, the M1 still excels at multi-core tasks like video rendering.
The 17e is a future-forward device, offering a 6.1-inch OLED screen, Face ID, and a 48MP camera. It's a logical upgrade from older base models like the iPhone 13 and 14, providing the headroom needed for modern AI tasks. If you bought the 16e and regretted the lack of MagSafe or the notch, the 17e fixes both, offering a refined budget experience.
The MacBook Pro M5 and M5 Pro Max are performance titans, ideal for serious creative professionals. Leakers describe the M5 Max as a monster, with a 25% performance uplift and a new architecture for better efficiency. Every GPU core has a Neural Accelerator, designed to handle complex AI workloads. With Wi-Fi 7, Thunderbolt 5, and 128GB RAM, these MacBooks are pure powerhouses.
The MacBook Air M5 is also rumored to be an exciting upgrade, offering speed and power at a great price point. Our MacBook Air M4 review praised its performance, covering most creative tasks from video editing to light 3D work. It's always been a favorite model, and the M5 is expected to launch soon, starting at $1,099.
The iPad 12 is rumored to offer an upgrade to 8GB of RAM, necessary for handling Siri 2.0 and on-device AI tools. While it might retain a 60Hz screen and non-laminated glass to keep costs down, the inclusion of the N1 wireless chip for Wi-Fi 7 future-proofs this budget tablet.
The MacBook A18 Pro is an ultra-affordable MacBook powered by the A18 Pro chip, found in the iPhone 16 Pro. Leaks suggest a portable 12.9-inch design with playful new colors, sacrificing Thunderbolt support and a backlit keyboard to hit the $599 price point. But the A18 Pro's NPU can handle Apple Intelligence tasks.
The iPhone 17e is expected to hold steady at $599, offering slimmer bezels, a Dynamic Island, and MagSafe support. The A19 chip with 8GB RAM is perfect for AI tasks.
So, what are your thoughts on these rumored Apple products? Which one are you most excited to upgrade to? Share your opinions and let's discuss!
