Apple typically releases its laptops in stages; the MacBook Pro with the base M5 chipset arrived in October last year. Then, it follows up with a more powerful model aimed at users with a higher demand for power than the average person. Lo and behold, the MacBook Pro with the new M5 Pro and M5 Max chips is here.
It’s not the heavily rumoured touchscreen MacBook Pro — that’s tipped to arrive by the end of the year. Instead, it’s a new high-end laptop equipped with more powerful internals, taking advantage of Apple’s new “Fusion Architecture” that connects two dies to one chip.
But for Australians keen to upgrade to Apple’s latest hardware, there’s a decent price difference compared to the previous-gen laptops. A $200 increase applies to the base 14-inch MacBook Pro with the M5 Pro chip, bringing it up to $3,499.
So, what do you get for all that money? An extremely fast laptop, according to Apple’s claims. Off the back of the new M5 Pro and M5 Max chipsets, the new MacBook Pro range produces up to 30 per cent faster CPU performance, four times faster local AI prompt processing, and a 50 per cent graphical boost compared to last year’s models.
Factoring in the power and price, these laptops aren’t just for general use. Apple targets its high-end MacBook Pro lineup at power users. 3D modelling, complex visual effects, and processing large data sets are generally some of the more common use cases for the pro laptops.
Pre-orders for the M5 Pro and M5 Max MacBook Pro range start on 5 March, ahead of an 11 March launch in Australia.
Apple announced its latest MacBook Air M5 overnight, doubling the slim laptop’s base storage capacity, along with a slight price increase.
Equipped with Apple’s M5 system-on-a-chip, the new MacBook Air now starts with 512GB as the default internal storage configuration. Low starting storage has long been a point of contention, with some seeing it as a strategy to encourage buyers to spend more for more capacity. At the end of 2024, Apple increased the starting memory allocation from 8GB to 16GB, which remains in place for this release.
Unlike the recently announced iPhone 17e, which received a storage upgrade with no change to its $999 pricing, the MacBook Air’s storage increase comes with a higher base price. In Australia, the 13-inch Air now starts at $1,799, up from the $1,699 price tag of last year’s model.
Inside the M5 MacBook Air is a 10-core CPU, up to 10 GPU cores, and a 16-core Neural Engine. According to Apple, the new laptop is capable of up to four times faster AI performance than last year’s Air. Reading the fine print, that claim is based on how efficiently the laptop works through local AI prompts in LM Studio.
Joining the MacBook Air’s improved internals is Apple’s N1 networking chip. This means the laptop now supports Wi-Fi 7 and Bluetooth 6 connectivity for faster wireless speeds and better reliability.
Aside from the $1,799 starting price for the 13-inch M5 MacBook Air, the 15-inch model starts at $2,199 in Australia for the 512GB model. Pre-orders begin on 5 March, ready for an 11 March launch.
Keen to find a better deal on your home internet? We’ve compared the cheapest NBN plans from many of the biggest telcos to find the best deals for you in each speed category.
One of the best ways to save money on your internet bill is to shop around frequently. Many internet service providers (ISPs) offer introductory deals, including generous discounts for the first six months. Afterwards, it’s always worth comparing providers so you’re not left paying more than you should. Most ISPs don’t use lock-in contracts, making it relatively easy to swap to a better-value plan.
After the big NBN speed upgrade, it’s now easier than ever to enjoy fast internet at decent prices. Some older NBN plans got five times faster for the same price. Not a bad deal for those eligible.
With that in mind, here are the current cheapest NBN plans in Australia from a wide range of telcos. We also have some affordable tips and tricks on how to maximise your current internet speeds. Looking for a new phone plan, too? Compare the cheapest SIM plans to save even more money.
SpinTel currently sells the cheapest NBN home internet plan in Australia, with a discounted rate of $39 per month for the first six months on its NBN 25 plan. Compared to the telco’s standard pricing, that’s an overall discount of $155.70.
Take a look at the widget below for more of the cheapest NBN plans. We update this article monthly, but the widget updates automatically, giving you up-to-date and accurate information.
Many of the retailers display promotional prices aimed at new and returning customers. These offers generally involve paying a discounted rate for six months before reverting to a standard price. To view the details of promotional offers, click on the green text labelled ‘deal’, which will also show the standard price.
Each plan featured here includes unlimited data. Some providers let you save a few dollars every month by choosing a plan with a data cap. If you know you don’t need much data, use this search tool to find plans with monthly data allowances.
NBN 12 plans
Aimed at people who only need the internet for browsing online and checking emails, an NBN 12 plan isn’t blazingly fast but saves money.
TPG currently sells the cheapest NBN 12 plan at $54.99 per month for the first six months. Its subsequent full price of $74.99 costs more than many NBN 25 plans, however.
For the most part, you’d be better off scrolling down and looking at faster speeds available for the same price or less. Not many telcos sell NBN 12 plans these days, so there’s little competition for lower prices.
NBN 25 plans
Suited for streaming videos in HD and basic online tasks, an NBN 25 plan gives you a bit more flexibility and much more value for money.
As mentioned above, SpinTel’s NBN 25 plan is the cheapest, priced at $39 per month for the first six months. Once the discounted period ends, the plan costs $64.95 per month ongoing.
You can also get discounted NBN 25 plans for $40 per month from Amaysim and Dodo. Flip sells a cheap plan worth considering; its regular monthly price of $59.90 is one of the cheapest non-discounted plans, providing long-term savings.
After the glow of discounts ends, the cheapest NBN 25 plans cost between $65 and $70 per month, so it’s a relatively cost-effective speed tier.
NBN 50 plans
Traditionally Australia’s most popular internet plan, NBN 50 balances value with performance. These plans support 4K video streaming and can sustain multiple simultaneous users.
At the time of writing, Origin sells the cheapest NBN 50 plan, at $51.50 per month. It’s an interesting one, with Origin using Superloop’s wholesale broadband network, while going direct with Superloop is also cost-effective, with its discounted $55 monthly plan.
However, Origin is quite expensive once the six-month discount ends. Its full price is $103 per month, which can be discounted to $93 per month ongoing by bundling your internet and energy plans together.
Most full-priced NBN 50 plans can be found for around $85 per month, though, so it’s worth shopping around. Other discounted highlights in this tier include Dodo and Amaysim, which cost $54 and $55 per month, respectively.
NBN 100 and NBN 500 plans
This is where the NBN speed upgrade starts to kick in. For customers with Fibre to the Premises (FTTP) or Hybrid Fibre Coaxial (HFC) connections, the NBN 100 tier becomes NBN 500 plans at no extra cost.
Both sets of speeds are ideal for streaming multiple 4K videos and downloading files quickly. If you get 500Mbps speeds, those downloads will be five times quicker. Only slightly more expensive than the 50Mbps tier, NBN 100 plans are still good value for most people; NBN 500 is even better value, given the small gap in pricing.
To start with, let’s look at the cheapest NBN 100 plans — these speeds apply to those with Fibre to the Node (FTTN), Fibre to the Building (FTTB), and Fibre to the Curb (FTTC) connections:
Origin sells the current cheapest NBN 100 plan, with a discounted monthly rate of $53.60 for the first six months, down from $107 per month. Like the NBN 50 tier, Origin’s full price is more expensive than many of its competitors.
The next cheapest offer comes from Dodo, with a $61 plan for the first six months. Multiple telcos sell NBN 100 plans for $65 or less per month for the first six months, including Moose NBN, Tangerine, TPG, iiNet, Belong, and Superloop.
Once the discounts end, NBN 100 plans start from around $85 per month, with Flip one of the cheapest options.
If you have a direct fibre connection, here are the cheapest NBN 500 plans:
As you can see, the prices are more or less the same as NBN 100, which makes it pretty good value for those who can get NBN 500 plans.
Origin tops the list again, joined by Dodo, Moose NBN, SpinTel, Tangerine, iiNet, TPG, Superloop, and Belong for $65 or less per month for the first six months. As long as you have the technology to support faster speeds, the prices for NBN 500 plans are no more expensive than the slower NBN 100 tier.
NBN 750 plans
500Mbps download speeds aren’t fast enough for you? For even faster speeds, you could try NBN 750, which was NBN 250 before the wholesale speed upgrade. This is the tier you consider when you want to download the latest video game or save a whole bunch of media for offline viewing.
Origin has the current cheapest NBN 750 deal, charging $64.50 per month for the first six months. Just make sure you assess your options before the monthly price reverts to $129 once the discount ends.
Elsewhere, Dodo has a $68 deal, followed by iiNet ($69.99), and Amaysim ($70). Without factoring in discounts, expect to pay between $100 and $110 per month for most NBN 750 plans.
NBN 1000 plans
NBN 1000 plans now come with 100Mbps upload speeds, giving you fast downloads and a strong upload rate. Consider these plans if you regularly work with large files, like content creators, and don’t want to waste time waiting for downloads or uploads to finish.
You’ll notice that not every telco promises 1,000Mbps download speeds during peak times. That’s because the NBN speed upgrade is still relatively new, so the industry is still collecting real-world performance data. Rest assured, though, that these plans are fast.
For now, the cheapest NBN 1000 plan comes from Origin, which costs $69.50 per month for the first six months ($139 afterwards). Elsewhere, Dodo, Superloop, iiNet, Belong, and Amaysim cost $80 or less per month during the discounted period, so there are a few options to choose from.
Aside from SpinTel and a few others, like Southern Phone and Amaysim, most NBN 1000 plans cost upwards of $110 per month.
NBN 2000 plans
One of the new additions following the speed upgrade, NBN 2000 plans, also known as ‘Hyperfast’, is for absolute power users. Capable of handling multiple 8K video streams and downloading large files in the blink of an eye, it’s much faster than anything previously available to the wider Australian public.
Because it’s new and a bit on the pricier side, not many ISPs sell NBN 2000 plans just yet. Still, there are some discounts available, with prices already varying between telcos.
Superloop currently has the cheapest NBN 2000 plan at $145 per month. That price lasts for six months before increasing to $165 per month.
With not as much competition as other speed tiers, some NBN 2000 plans are as expensive as $189 per month.
What you need to know
If you want broadband internet in Australia, your main and most reliable choice is via the National Broadband Network (NBN). Although the NBN provides the internet backbone, it does not sell plans directly to the public. Instead, telecommunication vendors package up retail and business plans, which include different features and levels of customer support.
NBN availability
The NBN is available to all Australians, but the way you access the NBN may be different. This might include a fixed cable into your home, wireless access via an antenna on your roof or a satellite dish.
To see what technology is available to you, start by visiting the NBN getting connected page. After entering your address, you will be shown the technology available at your address. You will also see which providers or NBN retailers sell access in your area. In Sydney alone, we were presented with 123 different retailers.
Speed and reliability
It is important to understand that the speed and reliability of your NBN plan can differ by retailer. Each buys internet capacity from the NBN. This capacity is then shared with a certain number of the retailers’ customers. This means that a retailer may have faster speeds in one suburb versus another based on how many customers are accessing the overall capacity. It’s always good to ask your neighbours who they are with and their experience with a particular NBN retailer.
It’s also worth checking the ACCC website regularly. They publish quarterly broadband performance results, measuring how well telcos deliver on advertised internet speeds. You want to be certain that you’ll get the speeds you pay for, so this is a good starting point.
Having good internet speed is more than just a fast broadband connection. For more, be sure to check out GadgetGuy’s guide to improving your internet for more information.
Which NBN plan?
When evaluating an NBN plan, consider the following criteria:
Data Limits – Is there a monthly download limit of data, or is the plan unlimited?
Download Speed – Best measured at its busiest in megabits per second (Mbps) typical evening speed. Is it enough to watch Netflix? (Netflix requires 10-25Mbps depending on resolution quality.) Larger households with members using the internet simultaneously will require higher download speeds.
Cost – How much do you pay each month, and is there a connection fee?
Contract – Are you locking yourself to a retailer for a period, or is it month-to-month?
Telephone – Is a fixed-line telephone service bundled into the plan?
Customer service – What hours are supported, and is it an Australian-located call centre?
Upload speed – Important for people who save large files online, like photos and videos.
Changing providers
If you wish to change internet providers, the process involves signing up with the new retailer in-store or online. You may receive a new Wi-Fi router, and you may have to return your old router to your previous retailer. The retailer-provided router is generally low quality but provides a fixed-line telephone connection if selected.
Your retailer might offer you an email address. Still, we recommend using a non-telco-specific email address, such as Gmail or Hotmail, allowing you to easily change NBN retailers.
The NBN changeover process can take less than an hour, but depending on the location and NBN technology, it could take a few days. To take advantage of introductory offers, you could swap your provider every six months.
Suppose you do not wish to leave your existing provider. In that case, you may be able to negotiate a better rate by comparing it to cheaper offerings.
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Are you looking to save on your phone bill? We’ve rounded up the cheapest SIM plans from a range of different carriers to help you find the best price. If you’re unsure about whether a SIM-only mobile plan is what you need, our quick guide to SIM only mobile plans will get you up to speed.
Generally speaking, if you don’t want a new phone or a lock-in contract, a SIM plan is the way to go. It’s easy to get what you need without paying for excess features. Unlimited phone calls and text messages usually come standard, with data and international roaming the main points of difference. If you do want a phone, however, check out the current deals on phone plans, including discounted handsets.
We update this article monthly, so bookmark this page to keep up to date with the cheapest SIM plans. Prices update in real-time, meaning you get the latest deals available in Australia right now. You can also use a custom search to choose a plan that suits your exact needs.
All of the plans featured in this article include an expiry period of at least 28 days. You can purchase a SIM plan with a shorter recharge window, ideal for travellers who only need a bit of data while visiting Australia.
At the time of writing, you can find two postpaid SIM plans for $15 per month or less. SpinTel, an Optus MVNO, is one of them, priced at $14 per month for the first six months, bundling 25GB of data.
Swoop is the other, charging $15 per month for the first six months, providing Optus 5G access and 30GB of data. After discounts, SpinTel is cheaper at $22, compared to SpinTel’s full $29 monthly price.
As for a Telstra network alternative, the current cheapest postpaid SIM plan comes from Tangerine. At $25 per month, it connects to Telstra’s wholesale 4G network, while providing 14GB of rolling data each month.
Prepaid
The usual suspects of iiNet and TPG top the current cheapest prepaid SIM plans, with both priced at $12.50 per month for the first six months. Both telcos connect via Vodafone’s 4G network and include 25GB of data per recharge. After the discounted period ends, iiNet and TPG’s base-level plans cost $25 per month.
Unlike a lot of prepaid plans, iiNet and TPG operate on a monthly billing cycle, lasting slightly longer than those on 28-day or 30-day cycles.
For a few dollars more, you can get a 5G TPG prepaid SIM plan with 50GB. TPG’s introductory pricing is $17.50 per month for the first six months, which then reverts to the standard monthly price of $35.
On the Telstra network, the cheapest current plan is $23, the price offered by both Ezee Mobile and Aldi Mobile for a 30-day renewal. Each plan uses Telstra’s wholesale 4G network, covering 98.8% of the Australian population. Ezee bundles in 22GB of data, while Aldi includes 12GB.
If you want a reasonably affordable prepaid SIM plan on the Optus network, OnePass Mobile is the way to go. It costs $20 per 28-day recharge, coming with 15GB of data.
Cheapest 5G SIM plans
5G coverage reaches more of Australia than ever, bringing with it faster download speeds. Phones compatible with 5G are also increasingly affordable, making it easier to access high-speed networks.
In some cases, 5G plans can cost more, but as you’ll see below, they can also be among the cheapest.
Postpaid
The cheapest 5G postpaid plans look almost identical to the overall cheapest plans earlier, led by SpinTel and Swoop’s sub-$15 products.
Outside of discounts, postpaid 5G plans start from $22 per month, so it’s a reasonably affordable tier.
Prepaid
TPG and iiNet also lay claim to the cheapest prepaid 5G SIM plans in Australia. Specific to the 5G tier, both are priced at $17.50 per month for the first six months. They come bundled with 50GB of data, while TPG also offers a 100GB option at a discounted price of $22.50 per month.
After discounts, TPG and iiNet cost $35 per month for ongoing 5G access.
Amaysim flies the flag for cheap Optus 5G plans, costing $25 per 28 days for 15GB of data. That’s the standard price, too, so you don’t need to worry about any limited-time discounted period.
Boost Mobile is the cheapest Telstra-based plan with 5G access, priced at $26 per 28-day renewal. It normally comes with 7GB of data each recharge, but a current promotion sees that allocation increase to 21GB for the first three recharges. Boost is also the only MVNO with access to the full Telstra network, reaching further than most other telcos.
For a bit more data on the Telstra network, Aldi Mobile and Ezee Mobile include 29GB per recharge for $29. Both rely on Telstra’s wholesale network, so check the coverage map to be sure if your area is covered.
Depending on your data needs, you can generally pick up a 5G prepaid plan for $25 or less per recharge.
Cheapest 365-day SIM plans
If you know what you need over a longer period and want to save money in the process, a 365-day SIM plan might do the trick. Simply pay once per year, and get a bank of data to use with unlimited calls and texts. It’s a cost-effective way of paying your phone bill for basic internet users who aren’t big downloaders.
For most of March, OnePass Mobile dominates the cheapest 365-day SIM plans, occupying several of the top spots. Via Optus’ 4G Plus network, it starts at $149 for 200GB, a discount of $51. OnePass Mobile matches the $149 price of Kogan Mobile, which is on the Vodafone 4G network, while beating Kogan’s 140GB allocation.
OnePass also has a $168 (280GB) and a $179 (360GB) long-expiry option, discounting its regular pricing by as much as $121.
A long-term Telstra SIM plan costs more, however. Everyday Mobile, Woolworths’ telco that recently sunset some legacy plans, costs $250 for 365 days with 215GB. Meanwhile, Boost Mobile’s $300 long-expiry plan includes 290GB on the first recharge, and 5G access, compared to Everyday Mobile’s 4G.
What you need to know about SIM only plans
It’s fairly easy to change your SIM plan provider. Even more so with the rise of embedded SIM (eSIM) technology, letting you change plans almost instantly with a compatible device. Instead of requiring a physical card, eSIM stores network information directly to your phone.
Irrespective of which service provider you go with, the actual network used will be either Optus, Telstra or Vodafone. Many of the cheapest SIM plan providers are mobile virtual network operators (MVNOs). This refers to carriers that use the network infrastructure of another company.
Boost Mobile is a popular MVNO that has full access to Telstra’s network, reaching 99.5% of Australians. Not every MVNO includes a network’s full coverage, so it’s worth checking a company’s website to ensure your area is serviced.
In terms of how much data you should choose, data from the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) found that Australians generally pay for more than what they need. On average, Aussies use 10.2GB of phone data per month, so it’s likely you could get away with a smaller allowance that costs less.
It also depends on how much you stream and download content using your phone. If you mainly use home or office Wi-Fi and don’t stream much, stick with a cheaper plan.
Postpaid versus prepaid
There are a couple of slightly different SIM plan options to choose from. Postpaid refers to plans that operate on a monthly billing cycle, where you pay at the end of each cycle. Postpaid SIM plans generally don’t involve a lock-in contract, so you can freely swap if your needs change or a better deal comes along. If you hit your data cap for a month, your telco might limit speeds until the next cycle or charge extra costs, so check the fine print beforehand.
Prepaid, on the other hand, sees you pay at the start of each cycle for a fixed number of days. Most prepaid SIM plans have a 28-day expiry cycle instead of a full month. Shorter expiries are also available if you need a SIM while travelling, making it a flexible option. The upside is that if you go over your data limit, you won’t incur extra costs. A lot of prepaid plans don’t automatically recharge by default but you can set up auto-recharge manually, with some telcos offering discounts or bonuses if you do so.
Phone number portability
The SIM changeover process takes about 10 minutes of your time or even less if you choose an eSIM. You will receive instructions to visit a website, provide your details, prove your identity (online) and then insert your new SIM.
Note you will have a choice to migrate your existing mobile number or choose a new one. About 15 minutes later, you should be up and running. However, the documentation will indicate it may take up to 24 hours and be affected by working hours.
Best network coverage
Network coverage is one of the most important factors to consider when buying any phone plan. Low prices and all the data in the world don’t mean much if you can’t get a signal. Fortunately, Australia’s mobile phone network coverage is more competitive than ever because of the TPG Telecom and Optus partnership.
Telstra still boasts the broadest network coverage, reaching 99.7% of the Australian population. Optus and Vodafone aren’t far behind, covering 98.5% and 98.4% respectively. Optus expects to rapidly expand its 5G network, so expect plenty of competition in the next couple of years.
Telco
Overall network coverage
5G network coverage
Telstra
99.7%
95%
Telstra wholesale
98.8%
75%
Optus
98.5%
80.5%
Vodafone
98.4%
Not advertised
More important than percentages is whether your location has coverage. The best way to find out is to check each telco’s coverage map:
The best way to find out if a plan suits you is to try one for a month. Lock-in contracts are largely a thing of the past, so it’s easier than ever to try one provider and swap if it doesn’t work out.
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Almost exactly a year after announcing its previous mid-range tablet, Apple has announced a new iPad Air, using the M4 chipset found across the company’s Mac range.
Physically, the new iPad — available in 11-inch and 13-inch sizes — looks identical to last year’s M3 model. It has the same look, shape, and external specs. But the tablet’s internals have received a decent kick.
In addition to the faster M4 system-on-a-chip, the 2026 iPad Air has 12GB of unified memory, up from the M3 model’s 8GB of RAM. Memory bandwidth is also faster, now 120GB/s, an increase from 100GB/s. Combined with the faster chipset, the tablet is reportedly up to 30 per cent faster than the 2025 model.
Networking also gets a boost from the next-gen iPad Air, with the included N1 networking chip supporting Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 6, and Thread connectivity. Last year’s M3 iPad model used Wi-Fi 6E, so the new tablet’s support of Wi-Fi 7 means faster and more reliable wireless performance.
Like the new iPhone 17e, the M4 iPad Air also employs Apple’s C1X cellular modem. According to Apple, this modem powers 50 per cent faster cellular data speeds and 30 per cent less energy consumption than the modem in the 2025 iPad Air.
iPad Air M4 price and release date
However, unlike the iPhone 17e, the new iPad Air doesn’t get a storage upgrade. The 11-inch model retains its $999 starting price, along with a relatively small 128GB storage allocation. It’s the same story for the 13-inch model, which costs $1,349 for the Wi-Fi model with 128GB of storage. Prices increase for the Wi-Fi and Cellular-compatible models, which support eSIM connectivity.
Storage
iPad Air M4 (11-inch)
iPad Air M4 (13-inch)
128GB
$999 (Wi-Fi)
$1,249 (Wi-Fi + Cellular)
$1,349 (Wi-Fi)
$1,599 (Wi-Fi + Cellular)
256GB
$1,199 (Wi-Fi)
$1,449 (Wi-Fi + Cellular)
$1,549 (Wi-Fi)
$1,799 (Wi-Fi + Cellular)
512GB
$1,549 (Wi-Fi)
$1,799 (Wi-Fi + Cellular)
$1,899 (Wi-Fi)
$2,149 (Wi-Fi + Cellular)
1TB
$1,899 (Wi-Fi)
$2,149 (Wi-Fi + Cellular)
$2,249 (Wi-Fi)
$2,499 (Wi-Fi + Cellular)
Prices of the new iPad Air per storage and wireless configuration.
Pre-orders begin on 5 March, which is when Apple is hosting a series of hands-on events ahead of its new devices launching. In Australia, the M4 iPad Air launches on 11 March across Apple stores and retailers. Colours for this year’s release are the same as last year’s: Starlight, Purple, Blue, and Space Grey.
With the updated tablet, the existing $219 Apple Pencil Pro and cheaper $139 USB-C Apple Pencil remain compatible. As do the set of Magic Keyboard attachments that add trackpad functionality in addition to a condensed QWERTY keyboard. They cost $449 for the 11-inch model and $499 for the 13-inch version.
After months of speculation, Apple has officially confirmed the iPhone 17e, its latest $999 phone and successor to last year’s iPhone 16e.
As widely expected before Apple’s announcement, the iPhone 17e supports MagSafe, the brand’s magnetic charging technology that was missing on the 16e. This year’s model also includes double the starting storage, now 256GB, without a price increase.
Similar to the 16e, the new model has a 6.1-inch screen and a single rear 48MP camera that Apple advertises as providing the equivalent of 2x optical zoom. While the visual quality of the screen is identical year-on-year, the new iPhone uses Apple’s more durable Ceramic Shield 2 technology, designed to withstand more scratches.
MagSafe supports faster wireless charging and easy alignment with accessories. Image: Apple.
Using a similar A19 chip to the core iPhone 17 range, the cheaper 17e’s main tradeoff is a slightly lower four-core GPU count (the iPhone 17 has five GPU cores). Apple claims the iPhone 17e’s CPU is twice as fast as the nearly seven-year-old iPhone 11.
A more recent comparison is the improvements between the 17e and 16e’s modem technology. Inside the iPhone 17e is Apple’s latest C1X cellular modem, which the company claims is two times faster than the iPhone 16e’s C1 modem. Connectivity speeds aren’t the only claimed benefit: Apple also said the new modem “uses 30 per cent less energy than the modem in iPhone 16 Pro”.
This should help with battery efficiency, with Apple claiming up to 26 hours of video playback on the new phone. That’s the same as the stated battery life of the iPhone 16e, suggesting that network speeds are the main improvements between the C1 and C1X modems.
This year’s colours keep the existing White and Black options, with the addition of Soft Pink. They’re fairly muted shades, but at least there’s a slightly more colourful variant this time around.
In addition to the $999 256GB model, the iPhone 17e is also available in a 512GB version for $1,399. That’s a steep $400 gap between storage configurations, which could be a result of the current global memory shortage.
Owners of some Uniden security cameras will benefit from a software update that adds a motion tracking feature, providing more comprehensive footage.
Uniden’s update, which is rolling out now, applies to cameras within the wire-free and solar-powered Solo X2K PT Pro range (as distinct from the App Cam Solo X2K model), which start at $279.95 in Australia. These cameras have pan and tilt functionality, covering a 350-degree range, but didn’t have automatic motion tracking until now.
Now, the updated cameras can follow subjects when they enter the field of view. It’s hoped that by adding the feature, there will be fewer blind spots and that footage will include more information if an incident occurs.
Consistent with Uniden’s other cameras, any recorded footage is saved to a rolling seven-day cloud storage allocation or locally via a microSD card.
