Apple plans to launch an affordable MacBook with iPhone 16 Pro's processor

In a strategic move to enhance its MacBook sales, Apple is gearing up to launch a new budget-friendly model, as revealed by KGI Securities analyst Ming-Chi Kuo. This anticipated MacBook is projected to begin mass production by late Q4 2025 or early Q1 2026. This new laptop is expected to sport a 13-inch display and will likely be powered by the A18 Pro processor, which was first introduced in the iPhone 18 Pro series last year. Rumors suggest that the budget MacBook will be available in a variety of colors, including Silver, Blue, Pink, and Yellow. Apple aims to return its MacBook shipments to pre-pandemic levels, targeting approximately 25 million units in 2026, compared to an estimated 20 million units for 2025. Kuo anticipates that this affordable model could contribute around 5 to 7 million units to that total. Interestingly, if Kuo's forecasts hold true, the A18 Pro processor may represent the sole distinguishing feature between this new budget MacBook and the entry-level MacBook Air, which currently starts at $999 (₹99,900 in India). However, Kuo has not specified how much more affordable this new model will be compared to Apple's existing laptop offerings. As we await further details on pricing and specifications, Kuo has also indicated that Apple is actively developing seven head-mounted devices, with several expected to launch in 2027. This initiative reflects Apple's significant investment in this category, leveraging its strong hardware capabilities and ecosystem integration. Among these devices, the company is focusing on a pair of smart glasses similar to Meta's Ray-Ban, with anticipated shipments of 3 to 5 million units by 2027.