Apple is once again preparing to shake up the tech landscape, this time with a slate of budget-friendly devices aimed squarely at consumers seeking premium features without the sky-high price tags. According to a flurry of reports from Bloomberg, 9to5Mac, and other industry watchers, the first half of 2026 will see the launch of at least five new Apple products, each designed to appeal to a broad, cost-conscious audience. Among the most anticipated are a brand-new MacBook, a refreshed iPhone 17e, an upgraded base model iPad, a new iPad Air, and the powerful M5 MacBook Air.
The centerpiece of Apple’s spring lineup is the rumored new MacBook—a device that breaks from tradition by dropping the familiar Air and Pro suffixes. According to 9to5Mac, the new MacBook will sport a 12.9-inch LCD display, making it just a touch smaller than the 13.6-inch MacBook Air yet still large enough for comfortable everyday use. The display is expected to be notch-free, offering a clean, uninterrupted screen experience. This move seems designed to position the MacBook as a direct competitor to popular Chromebooks and budget Windows laptops, with a focus on students and everyday users.
What’s under the hood may surprise some: rather than the usual M-series chip, the new MacBook is slated to run on an iPhone-class A18 Pro chip. While this might raise eyebrows among power users, industry analysts like Ming-Chi Kuo and Mark Gurman suggest the A18 Pro will be more than adequate for tasks such as web browsing, email, messaging, light gaming, and basic creative work. As 9to5Mac puts it, "The A18 Pro should still prove plenty powerful for everyday computing tasks like web browsing, email, messaging, and light gaming, image editing, and other creative tasks."
Apple isn’t just banking on performance. The company is reportedly embracing a more playful aesthetic, offering the MacBook in a range of bold colors—blue, pink, yellow, and silver are all on the table. This echoes the colorful iMac lineup and signals a return to the days when Apple’s laptops stood out in a sea of gray and black. Pricing is another major draw: multiple sources, including Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman, peg the starting price at around $699, a full $300 less than the entry-level MacBook Air. With a launch window set for the first half of 2026—and some analysts like Jeff Pu suggesting it could arrive within weeks—anticipation is building fast.
But the MacBook isn’t the only headline act. The iPhone 17e, Apple’s next entry-level smartphone, is also set to make waves. According to reports from Jakarta and Bloomberg’s Power On newsletter, the iPhone 17e will feature the same A19 chip found in the regular iPhone 17, marking a significant leap in performance for this more affordable model. The device will also introduce MagSafe charging, a long-requested feature that brings compatibility with Apple’s growing ecosystem of magnetic accessories, from chargers to wallets. As Bloomberg notes, "Apple was widely criticized for not offering MagSafe support to the iPhone 16e, and now it’s finally coming with the new model."
Despite these internal upgrades, the iPhone 17e will maintain a familiar look. The design is expected to closely mirror that of the iPhone 16e, with a 6.1-inch OLED screen and minimal changes to the physical form. However, there’s speculation—though not yet confirmed—that Apple could swap the notch for its Dynamic Island feature, further aligning the iPhone 17e with its higher-end siblings. Under the surface, the device is projected to include 8GB of RAM, the new C1X internal cellular modem, and the N1 wireless network chip, all aimed at boosting connectivity and reducing reliance on outside suppliers. Importantly, the price remains steady at $599, reinforcing the 17e’s role as an accessible gateway into the Apple ecosystem.
The budget-friendly theme continues with the 12th-generation entry-level iPad. Bloomberg reports that this model will finally support Apple Intelligence, the company’s AI platform, by upgrading its internal RAM to 8GB. This change will allow the base iPad to handle more complex tasks and multitasking, making it a compelling option for students and casual users alike. The tablet is expected to run on either the A18 or A19 chip—there’s some debate among sources—offering a significant step up from the current A16. Additionally, the inclusion of Apple’s N1 wireless chip will improve Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and Thread connectivity, ensuring the device stays future-proofed for smart home integration and fast wireless performance.
Not to be left behind, the iPad Air is also due for an update. While Bloomberg and Macworld agree that the changes will be incremental, the new iPad Air is expected to receive a powerful new processor—possibly the M4 or even M5 chip—and Apple’s latest wireless technology. There’s no word yet on major design tweaks, but users can expect the same 11- and 13-inch options, giving them access to high-end performance at a lower price point than the iPad Pro.
Rounding out the lineup is the M5 MacBook Air, which Bloomberg says is coming "shortly" alongside the new M5 Pro and M5 Max MacBook Pro models. The M5 MacBook Air is expected to deliver performance on par with the M1 Ultra, a remarkable feat for a laptop that’s likely to remain within reach for most buyers. While details on camera improvements and new color options are still under wraps, the device’s release is expected between March and June, following Apple’s usual MacBook Air launch pattern.
What ties all these launches together is Apple’s clear strategy to expand its reach in emerging markets and among budget-conscious consumers. As Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman points out, "Apple will be releasing not only the iPhone 17e, but an all-new low-cost MacBook with an iPhone chip, a base model iPad, a new iteration of the iPad Air, and the M5 MacBook Air." This aggressive push into the lower-priced segment is seen as a way to grow Apple’s user base and ecosystem, especially as competition from Windows laptops and Chromebooks heats up.
Of course, some questions remain. Will the low-cost MacBook truly rival Chromebooks in reliability and value? Can Apple maintain its trademark quality while slashing prices? And how will these new products shape the company’s future in a rapidly changing market? Only time will tell, but one thing’s for sure: Apple’s spring 2026 lineup is set to make a big splash, offering more choices—and more color—than ever before.
With anticipation building and launch dates looming, Apple fans and budget-minded shoppers alike have plenty to look forward to in the coming months.