Apple May Launch an Affordable Budget MacBook Powered by an iPhone Chip (Late 2025 / Early 2026)
Would you grab one?
🚨🍏 Apple’s Surprise Move?!
Imagine a MacBook that’s light, colorful, fanless, runs on an iPhone 16 Pro chip… and starts at just $599. Rumored to drop late 2025 or early 2026, this could be the perfect everyday Mac for students, creatives, and on-the-go pros. Would you grab one?
Apple is reportedly planning to introduce a budget-friendly MacBook that uses the A18 Pro chip from the iPhone 16 Pro—marking the first time an iPhone chip powers a Mac. It’s expected to cost between USD 599 and 699, undercutting the current MacBook Air, which starts at USD 999.
This compact laptop may feature a 12.9-inch display, slightly smaller than the 13.6-inch MacBook Air. It’s designed to be ultra-thin and lightweight reminiscent of the old 12-inch MacBook and could come in lively colors such as silver, blue, pink, and yellow.
Under the hood, the A18 Pro brings a 6-core CPU, 6-core GPU, and a 16-core Neural Engine. Performance is said to outperform the M1 by a good margin but comes in around 40% slower than the M4. The MacBook might omit Thunderbolt, relying on standard USB-C (up to 10 Gb/s), and likely supports just a single external display though a DisplayLink adapter could broaden its capabilities.
Expect at least 8 GB of RAM for Apple Intelligence features, and perhaps even 16 GB on higher-tier models. The efficient chip may allow a fanless design, fitting the sleek aesthetic.
Production of components is expected to start in Q3 2025, with final assembly by Quanta in Q4, paving the way for a launch in late 2025 or early 2026. Apple may aim to sell 5–7 million units in 2026, boosting overall MacBook sales by 30–40%.
While this move could undercut MacBook Air sales and raise questions about the A18 Pro’s capability for high-performance tasks, it promises to be an enticing option for students and everyday users seeking a full Mac experience at a lower price point.
