After the success of the affordable iPhone 16e, Apple is now planning to launch a budget-friendly MacBook powered by its A-series iPhone chip. This entirely new MacBook model is expected to resemble the MacBook Air in design but may include feature compromises to keep costs low. According to supply chain analysts, Apple could begin mass production by late 2025 or early 2026, hinting at a potential spring 2026 launch. The move signals Apple’s push to offer more accessible hardware in its product ecosystem.
Apple’s next MacBook could be cheaper and powered by an iPhone chip
It’s rumored to come in multiple colors and release late this year or early next year.
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— AppleTrack (@appltrack) June 30, 2025
Apple’s upcoming low-cost MacBook is expected to feature a 13-inch display, similar to the MacBook Air, while maintaining a slim and lightweight form factor to attract mainstream buyers. According to analyst Ming-Chi Kuo and reports from MacRumors, the device could launch in a variety of vibrant colors, including silver, blue, pink, and yellow. However, specific details about the display panel remain unclear, including whether it will match the Air model’s quality.
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Under the hood, Apple may equip the budget MacBook with the powerful A18 Pro chip—the same processor used in the iPhone 16 Pro. Built on a second-generation 3nm process, the A18 Pro includes a 6-core CPU, 6-core GPU, and a 16-core Neural Engine to support AI-driven tasks. It is also reportedly faster than the M1 chip, suggesting strong performance for its class.
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— 郭明錤 (Ming-Chi Kuo) (@mingchikuo) June 30, 2025
The affordable MacBook is expected to include at least 8GB of RAM, making it compatible with Apple Intelligence features. For connectivity, the device may use only USB-C ports and omit Thunderbolt support to reduce costs. Design-wise, the thermal system could mirror the iPhone 16 Pro’s approach, featuring a titanium frame with a graphite-clad aluminum substructure to manage heat efficiently.
Despite these rumored specs, the low-cost MacBook is still in the planning phase, and Apple may tweak several features before mass production begins in late 2025 or early 2026. A spring 2026 launch is expected, but more concrete details should emerge closer to production. Until then, consumers will have to wait to see how Apple plans to balance performance, features, and pricing in this new offering.
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