According to analyst Ming-Chi Kuo, Apple is planning to launch a low-cost MacBook powered by the iPhone 16 Pro processor, the A18 Pro chip, instead of the company’s M-series silicon.
The new device is reportedly a 13‑inch laptop aimed at undercutting the current M4 MacBook Air, which starts at $999, and is said to enter production later this year or in early 2026.
Kuo wrote on social media: “Expected to enter mass production in late 4Q25 or early 1Q26, with an approximately 13‑inch display and powered by the A18 Pro processor. Potential casing colours include silver, blue, pink, and yellow.”
The analyst also predicts the model could ship 5 - 7 million units in 2026, helping Apple return to peak MacBook volumes.
This would mark the first MacBook to use an iPhone-class chip instead of the usual M‑series silicon, which has been the standard in MacBooks since its introduction with the M1 in 2020.
The A18 Pro - currently found in the iPhone 16 Pro and 16 Pro Max - matches the original M1’s multi-core performance and even rivals later chips in single-core tests.
Its lower power consumption could allow for a slimmer, cooler chassis or coloured plastic options.
Apple has yet to comment, and Kuo’s report remains unverified - meaning details, price and design still hinge on Apple’s internal plans.
If it launches below the current MacBook Air price point, this model could expand Apple’s reach in education and budget-conscious markets - though much depends on final specifications and pricing.
