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Apple is reportedly holding back major hardware until 2026 — but when the company returns, it may do so with four headline devices: updated MacBook Pros, an affordable 12.9-inch MacBook, a beefed-up iPad with A18 silicon, and a new budget iPhone 17e. Here’s a closer look at what could arrive in the first weeks of the year.
New MacBook Pro 14-inch and 16-inch with M5 Pro and M5 Max
After introducing the base M5 chip across select devices this fall, Apple appears ready to ship more powerful M5 Pro and M5 Max variants. Insiders suggest refreshed 14- and 16-inch MacBook Pro models will land early in 2026, mirroring the M2 Pro/Max rollout cadence from 2023. Expect significant gains in multi-core performance, longer battery life under heavy loads, and continued focus on professional workflows like video editing and software development.
A budget-friendly 12.9-inch MacBook aiming at Chromebooks
One of the most talked-about rumors is a 12.9-inch MacBook that borrows an A-class chip — reportedly the A18 Pro — and targets shoppers who currently choose cheaper Windows laptops or Chromebooks. Apple may offer this model in eye-catching colors and route cost savings through an iPhone-class SoC rather than a full Mac silicon line. Leaked price estimates put it around $599–$699, which would be a strategic play to broaden Apple’s reach in education and entry-level markets.
iPad entry model upgraded to the A18
The iPad’s base model was refreshed with A16 earlier this year, but the next iteration could be a much larger jump. Sources indicate the early-2026 iPad will use the A18 chip, a step that would enable advanced on-device AI features such as Apple Intelligence. Don’t expect radical design changes — the upgrade is likely to be internal, focusing on performance, neural tasks, and longer software support.
iPhone 17e: an affordable, modernized compact iPhone
Apple is reportedly continuing its annual refresh of the ‘e’ model introduced as the iPhone 16e. The iPhone 17e is said to carry the same A19 chip used in the flagship iPhone 17, add the Center Stage front-facing camera experience, and swap the legacy notch for a Dynamic Island-style cutout with slimmer bezels. Like its predecessor, the 17e is expected to be positioned as an affordable option around $599 with a single rear camera — a pragmatic balance of price and flagship-level silicon.
Why these launches matter
Imagine Apple offering a $599 MacBook: it would change purchase dynamics in classrooms and emerging markets while putting pressure on low-cost PC makers. Meanwhile, faster Pro chips and a smarter iPad keep the company competitive among creators and students. If these rumors hold, early 2026 could be one of Apple’s most strategically diverse hardware moments in years.
Keep an eye on official invitations and supply-chain signs early in the year — the details that surface next will tell us whether these devices are near-final or still early prototypes.
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