Apple is preparing to launch multiple entry-level products as early as the first quarter of 2026, according to analyst Jeff Pu of Haitong International Tech Research. The company is preparing to launch the iPhone 17e, a new entry-level MacBook, and a refreshed iPad. All the products will target customers which are thinking of entering the Apple ecosystem which include students and the elderly, including markets which do not have deep Apple-penetration.
The iPhone 16e did not turn out to be a major player in the market – largely going unnoticed and it is a big question as to how Apple plans to salvage the situation. The iPhone lineup continues to drive sales globally but the company has had very little luck in the lower-segment of the market.
The low-end MacBook will likely be the most important product for Apple and the market. The M-series chip (aka Apple Silicon) has revolutionized the desktop and laptop market by bringing phenomenal performance and efficiency which continues to be unmatched. In addition, the unified architecture of the M-series chip i.e., the CPU, the GPU, and the system memory housing within one enclosure offers massive speed compared to traditional separate components which rely on the PCI express slots.
The upcoming budget-friendly MacBook will reportedly use the A-series chip (specifically the A18 Pro chip) as a cost-cutting measure. Apple produces more of the A-series chip than the M-series chips which will allow it to keep the costs low. The low-end MacBook will not be targeted for Pro-grade users but users who would be looking to purchase a laptop/desktop for web surfing, video watching, and other casual tasks.
The upcoming MacBook will reportedly be offered in silver, blue, pink, and yellow color finishes. It would likely be a true replacement of the 12-inch MacBook and also the iPad which continues to be the middle-child with existential crisis.
