Apple has developed a habit of launching more affordable versions of its best-selling products. We’ve already seen this strategy with the iPhone 16e, and it’s expected to continue with the upcoming iPhone 17e. These devices are essentially stripped-down versions of Apple’s premium products, offering a lower entry price while retaining the core experience. Apple has applied this approach to the iPhone and iPad lineups, and it may soon extend to the MacBook lineup as well.
Back in August of last year, industry sources reported that Apple was planning to release a budget-friendly MacBook powered by an iPhone-class chip. At the time, the report came as a surprise, given that Apple’s Mac lineup traditionally relies on its powerful M-series processors.
Using an iPhone chip in a MacBook would signal a shift toward a product aimed at emerging markets and first-time Mac buyers who are unwilling or unable to pay premium prices. Apple has already experimented with this strategy in the tablet segment, most notably with the 11th-generation iPad, which features the iPhone-class A16 chip.
A MacBook for those who don’t want to break the bank
Last year’s report suggested that Apple’s low-cost MacBook would feature a 13-inch LCD display (12.9 inches, to be exact) and be powered by the A18 Pro SoC, the same chip used in the iPhone 16 Pro and iPhone 16 Pro Max. The A18 Pro’s performance is reportedly on par with Apple’s M1 processor, which means it should offer more than enough processing power for everyday tasks and entry-level workflows. The chip is also expected to be paired with 8GB of RAM.
The report claimed that the device would enter mass production in Q3 2025 and hit store shelves in late 2025 or early 2026. A more recent report from GF Securities analyst Jeff Pu also echoed these claims.
In the latest edition of the Power On newsletter, Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman added that the low-cost MacBook is expected to launch in early 2026. While he didn’t specify an exact date, he noted that the device would be unveiled in the first half of the year.
According to Gurman, this new MacBook is designed to serve as an entry point for newcomers to the Mac ecosystem and would help Apple better compete with Windows laptops and Chromebooks.
Moreover, I don’t expect Apple to spend too much time on the design of a budget-friendly MacBook. The device will probably be built based on the same chassis as the 13-inch MacBook Air. Given that students are a targeted customer group, the device is expected to be light and portable.
Since Apple is using an iPhone-class chip inside a 13-inch MacBook, the device could have significant unused internal space that may be repurposed for a larger battery. Apple claims that its 13-inch MacBook with the M4 chip delivers up to 18 hours of video streaming and up to 15 hours of wireless web browsing. In theory, a MacBook powered by an iPhone-class chip could extend these figures by an additional two to three hours.
As for pricing, there are still many conflicting rumors circulating online. Earlier reports suggested that the low-cost MacBook would be priced between $599 and $699, while more recent reports claim the device could cost as much as $750. The cheapest laptop Apple sells now is the 13.6-inch MacBook Air with the M4 chip that costs $999 on the company’s website.
What are your thoughts on a low-cost MacBook powered by an iPhone-class chip? Would you consider buying one if it hit store shelves? Let us know in the comments.