Analyst on the budget MacBook: it exists, will be released soon, and will receive a chipset from iPhone 16 Pro

In early November, information appeared online that Apple is already testing and plans to release the most budget-friendly MacBook model in early 2026.

Back then, almost no details were known, but now a reputable source has shared them.

What is known

Analyst Jeff Pu from GF Securities confirmed that Apple is indeed preparing to release a budget MacBook. Its low price will largely be due to the fact that the basis of the laptop will be an A-series chipset, most likely the A18 Pro, which was used in the iPhone 16 Pro. It will not be able to provide the highest performance, but its capabilities are much higher than those of the M1 chip, which is the basis of the cheapest MacBook model at the moment, and it remains extremely popular.

The new budget MacBook is rumored to feature a 13.6” display, a USB 3.2 Gen 2 port without Thunderbolt support, a non-backlit keyboard, 12 GB of RAM, and 256 GB of storage.

The cost of the MacBook A18 Pro (provisional name) may range from $599 to 899.

Sources: WCCF Tech