Apple Closed the Mac Price Umbrella, Is There an iPhone Price Umbrella?, Three Reasons Why Neo Will Likely Succeed
Happy Friday. In thinking through this week’s events and our three updates, there is a discussion to be had that will help to connect our talking points and a few different subjects. Let’s have that discussion in today’s update.
Apple Closed the Mac Price Umbrella
One reason why the MacBook Neo is such an intriguing Apple product from a strategy perspective is it addresses what had been the long-standing Mac price umbrella.
For years, Apple’s Mac portables line had a starting price in excess of $899 to $999. This provided a substantial amount of space for the Windows Brigade to not just survive but thrive. The Mac was pinned to represent a
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Apple Unveils iPhone 17e, Thoughts on the iPhone 17e, Apple and Low-End Smartphones
March 2nd, 2026
By Neil Cybart
Apple Unveils iPhone 17e
Thoughts on the iPhone 17e
Apple and Low-End Smartphones
Happy Monday. Apple kicked off its busy week by unveiling the iPhone 17e and iPad Air (M4). For today’s update, we will focus on the iPhone 17e. We will look at the iPad Air (M4) tomorrow. Let’s jump in.
Apple Unveils iPhone 17e
In the years leading up to the iPhone 16e launch in 2025, older iPhones that Apple had kept in the lineup at lower prices were grabbing a declining percentage of the iPhone sales max. One factor behind that trend was iPhone upgraders holding on to their devices for longer and then buying the best iPhone available when it was time to upgrade. This trend also contributed to the iPhone Pro seeing growing sales momentum.
The iPhone SE, Apple’s most aggressive tool to date for addressing lower-priced smartphone segments, was similarly
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Who Will Buy the iPhone 16e?, The Apple Intelligence Factor, Apple Discloses C1 Modem Efficiency Gains
Today's Above Avalon Daily email contains the following stories:
Who Will Buy the iPhone 16e?
The Apple Intelligence Factor
Apple Discloses C1 Modem Efficiency Gains
One quick programming note. Inside Orchard is the sibling website to Above Avalon where I write about broader tech topics. While I don’t normally call out Inside Orchard essays as they are published, the newest essay, "Apple News Is Winning," went over how changes in social media and the legacy news industry are boosting Apple News. If you have an interest in the topic, check out the essay (also available in podcast form).
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Today's update will be focused on the iPhone 16e and C1 modem. As iPhone 16e reviews came out last week, a few observations jumped out at me.
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Apple Unveils First In-House Modem, Apple Unveils the iPhone 16e, The iPhone 16e Bet
Today's Above Avalon Daily email contains the following stories:
Apple Unveils First In-House Modem
Apple Unveils the iPhone 16e
The iPhone 16e Bet
Today’s update will include plenty of good old Apple strategy talk. There is much to cover with Apple unveiling C1, its first in-house modem, and the iPhone 16e. Let’s jump right in.
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Member Privileges and Benefits
Become an Above Avalon member and receive the following privileges and benefits:
Exclusive Analysis. Receive the Above Avalon Daily newsletter, widely-recognized as the leading daily newsletter dedicated to Apple. Now in its tenth year.
Archive Access. Access previous newsletters sent to members.
Member Forum Access. Access all channels in the Above Avalon forum in Discord.
Email Access. Receive timely responses from Neil to email inquiries.
Access to Add-ons. Customize a membership with the Podcast, Inside Orchard, and Financial Models add-ons.
Above Avalon Support. Play an active role in supporting Above Avalon as an independent voice and resource.