Apple is potentially planning a new launch event slated for early 2026, and it may have some of the most highly anticipated products the tech community has been awaiting. Post the launch of the iPhone 17 series in September and the silent release of the M5-powered MacBook Pro as well as iPad Pro, Apple is now rumoured to be readying its much-awaited low-cost MacBook alongside the iPhone 17e and a refreshed base iPad.
According to analyst Jeff Pu of GF Securities Hong Kong, this tri-product launch could help Cupertino cater to value-conscious consumers amid declining interest in premium sales and intensifying competition from Android rivals. These new devices are said to strengthen focus on incremental upgrades rather than flashy redesigns, unlike the recent slew of premium launches.
With lower price tags, these launches could renovate Apple’s ecosystem for students, first-time buyers, and emerging markets.
Low-cost iPhone, MacBook coming in 2026
Apple’s first A-series-powered laptop, which could be a 13-inch MacBook, is likely to ditch the M-series chip for the A18 Pro processor from the iPhone 16 Pro. Slated for spring 2026 launch, it is said to feature a vibrant display. The laptop could come in silver, blue, pink, and yellow colours, paired with 8GB RAM and a single USB Type-C port.
To keep costs down, this low-cost MacBook is said to recycle older design and screen tech, thus helping it achieve a price range of $699 to $899 (about Rs 58,000 to Rs 75,000). We speculate that this low-cost MacBook to replicate the discontinued M1 MacBook Air from 2020, complete with its thick bezel displays and a slim yet durable chassis.
In a bid to complement the low-cost MacBook, Apple is also planning to launch the 12th-generation iPad, which is likely to retain the existing design but may only get a speed boost. The new iPad could get the A18 chip, thus unlocking Apple Intelligence features like enhanced Siri and on-device processing for the first time in a base model. Jeff Pu noted the processor swap as the “primary change,” with rest of the features largely remaining unchanged.
iPhone 17e to replace iPhone 16e
Rounding out the trio, the iPhone 17e is said to evolve from the iPhone 16e (which replaced the SE series as Apple’s cheapest phone) with the A19 chip, an upgraded 18MP front camera, and the in-house C1 modem for better connectivity. Expected for early 2026, it skips big hardware changes to focus on efficiency and camera tweaks. Pu described it as building on its predecessor with “minor enhancements.” All we hope is that Apple offers more colours this time instead of the standard black and white.
