Apple is currently working on three relatively affordable products that are expected to be released in 2026: a MacBook, an iPad and an iPhone.
2026: cheap MacBook, iPad and iPhone
Apple plans three new products in the entry-level segment for the first quarter of 2026, including a new iPhone. According to a new report from analyst Jeff Pu you can expect the iPhone 17e, an affordable MacBook with iPhone chip and a twelfth generation iPad with Apple Intelligence.
iPhone 17e
The iPhone 17e will be the second generation of the affordable ‘e’ series and will probably be released in the spring of 2026. The most important improvement is an A19 chip, most other specifications have been taken from the iPhone 16e. A striking innovation could be the 18-megapixel front camera with Center Stage, just like Apple’s C1 modem. There are also rumors they say that the iPhone 17e may get a Dynamic Island.
Cheap MacBook
The most exciting device of the three is an all-new MacBook, which is the first Mac ever to use one A series chip from the iPhone product line. This would be the A18 Pro of the iPhone 16 Pro models from 2024. The device will probably have a 13-inch screen and be available in different colors, similar to the iPad. Possibly Silver, Blue, Pink and Yellow.
To achieve the lower price (somewhere between $699 and $899), Apple will likely have to make some compromises. That could mean: an older design, cheaper screen components, 8 GB of RAM, or even just one USB-C port.
iPad with Apple Intelligence
No major design changes are planned for the twelfth generation iPad. However, the cheapest iPad model will receive an important update: the A18 chip. Thanks to this improvement, the entry-level iPad supports Apple Intelligence for the first time, something that was previously reserved for the more expensive models.
Split iPhone presentation
Pu’s report also confirms that Apple has a new strategy in introducing new iPhones. According to the report, Apple plans to split the iPhone presentation: the iPhone 18 Pro models would be launched along with the iPhone Fold in the second half of 2026. The regular iPhone 18 models, the iPhone 18e and the second generation of the iPhone Air will probably not appear until the first half of 2027.
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