Apple is apparently working on a new MacBook that will be cheaper than its current entry-level model, the MacBook Air. The current starting price is €1,199. Analyst Ming-Chi Kuo explained in a post on X that Apple is working on a lower-cost MacBook that will feature an iPhone chip. The market launch is expected by the end of 2025 at the earliest.
Apple revolutionized the notebook market with the introduction of its own M chips. Since then, all new Macs have been powered by Apple Silicon and impress with their efficiency and performance. Nevertheless, the price remained a barrier for many. Anyone wanting a MacBook previously had to invest at least around €1,199. Now there are indications that Apple wants to lower the barrier to entry – with a new MacBook powered by an iPhone processor. This would be a true innovation in the portfolio and a potential game changer.
Apple plans MacBook with A18 Pro chip
iPhone chip instead of M series
According to Kuo, the new affordable MacBook will be equipped with the A18 Pro chip. This is the same processor used in the current iPhone 16 Pro series. The chip is based on the latest ARM technology and delivers strong performance in benchmarks such as Geekbench. In the single-core test, the A18 Pro achieves around 3,500 points. This puts it only slightly behind the M4 chip used in the iPad Pro, for example. The gap is somewhat larger in multi-core performance. The A18 Pro achieves around 8,780 points, while the M4 achieves around 15,000 points. For comparison: The A18 Pro is thus on par with the first M1 chip from 2020, which is still used by many users for everyday applications without any problems. For an entry-level device, the performance of the A18 Pro should therefore be perfectly sufficient.
Display, colors and housing
According to Kuo, the new MacBook will have a 13-inch display—just like the current MacBook Air. Therefore, the chassis design is likely to be similar. The most visible difference will likely be the processor. Apple is said to be planning to launch the device in several colors, including silver, pink, and yellow.
No price yet announced
How much cheaper the new MacBook will be compared to the Air is not yet known. Kuo hasn't made a concrete statement on this. However, he does mention a planned production volume of 5 to 7 million units for 2026. This is a high figure and suggests that Apple intends to significantly reduce the price to reach a broader target audience. A price below the current entry barrier of €1,199 would be a first. Apple has never fallen below this mark to date. However, achieving such a high sales volume would require an aggressive price. The success of the device will therefore likely depend largely on how attractive the price-performance ratio is.
Performance in everyday life
Although the A18 Pro is weaker than current M chips, the new MacBook should be sufficient for many everyday uses. Especially for everyday applications like browsing, email, video streaming, or word processing, only one or two cores are actively used. In these areas, the A18 Pro is powerful enough. However, those who regularly edit videos, develop software, or perform complex image editing will still need to opt for models with the M chip.
Apple targets new buyer groups
Apple could appeal to a completely new target audience with its new affordable MacBook. Using an iPhone chip in the MacBook is an unusual but logical step to reduce costs while still offering solid performance. If the price falls below €1,199, it would be a first in MacBook history. The decisive factor will be how far the gap to the MacBook Air really is – both in terms of price and performance. The new model should be an interesting option for many users, especially if they've previously hesitated because of the price. The market launch is expected in late 2025 or early 2026. Until then, it remains to be seen how Apple will position this new product. (Image: Shutterstock / Kaspars Grinvalds)
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