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Apple's Budget Lineup Gets Major Upgrades in 2026

9to5Mac •
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Apple's most affordable devices are set for significant upgrades in 2026, with the iPhone 17e, iPad with A18 chip, and a new $699 MacBook all rumored to launch soon. The iPhone 17e will address major shortcomings of its predecessor, adding MagSafe support, a Dynamic Island display, and Apple's latest A19 chip. These improvements position the budget iPhone as a compelling alternative to the flagship model.

Apple's entry-level iPad will also receive a major boost with the A18 chip, enabling Apple Intelligence features previously limited to premium models. This upgrade transforms the base iPad from a simple tablet into a device capable of advanced AI functions like the supercharged Siri powered by Google technology. The A18 chip brings not just speed improvements but unlocks capabilities that will become increasingly essential.

The most dramatic change comes to Apple's laptop lineup with a new $699 MacBook that drops the Air suffix entirely. This device will feature an A18 Pro chip, a 12.9-inch display, and come in multiple colors including blue, pink, and yellow. Apple appears to be restructuring its Mac lineup to mirror the iPad family, with a base MacBook, mid-tier MacBook Air, and high-end MacBook Pro. This $300 price reduction from the current MacBook Air could make Apple computing accessible to a much broader audience.