When we think of the most affordable MacBook on the market today, it would be the 13-inch MacBook Air with the M4 chipset. But that is rumored to soon be replaced with a new MacBook with an iPhone processor.
Yes, you heard it right. According to reliable tipster, Ming Chi-Kuo, Apple is supposedly working on a new affordable MacBook that could feature the A18 Pro, the same chipset, which is expected to power this year"s iPhone 18 series. If true, this could mark a shift from the usual MacBook chips, that come from the M-series line.
Ming Chi-Kuo says that this new MacBook with A18 Pro processor is "expected to enter mass production in late 4Q25 or early 1Q26." He also shared some details about the device and said that it could come with a 13-inch display. Apple is also tipped to get a bit funky with colors, and could include: silver, blue, pink, and yellow, most likely to appeal to students and younger buyers.
Now the question arises: What does Apple want to achieve with this? Kuo answers it and says that, "Apple aims to return total MacBook shipments to the COVID-19 peak of around 25 million units in 2026 (vs. an estimated 20 million units in 2025)."
The rumored MacBook with A18 Pro chipset is expected to account for five to seven million units in 2026, out of the 25 million (pre-pandemic era).
The new MacBook with A18 Pro processor could not only be cheaper, but it could also offer better battery life and, thinner form factor. For now, these are just speculations, and we would advise taking this piece of information with a pinch of salt.