Imagine buying a brand new MacBook that costs less than the MacBook Air. Sounds exciting, right? Well, if the latest reports are true, Apple is working on exactly that — but with an unexpected twist.
According to renowned analyst Ming-Chi Kuo, Apple is planning to release a low-cost MacBook powered not by the usual M-series Mac chips, but by the same chip used in iPhones.
What’s Cooking Behind the Scenes
Kuo says Apple aims to start mass production of this cheaper MacBook by late 2025 or early 2026. Here’s what we know so far:
- Processor: The MacBook will use the A18 Pro chip, the same chip that powers the iPhone 16 Pro and iPhone 16 Pro Max.
- Design: It will come with a 13-inch screen, similar to the MacBook Air.
- Colors: Expect vibrant options like silver, blue, pink, and yellow.
Apple is also planning to manufacture around 5-7 million units in 2026, aiming to make this cheaper MacBook model widely available without breaking the bank. In case you’re wondering — yes, this is the first time an iPhone’s A-series chip will appear in a Mac.
Why is Apple Doing This?
Switching from M-series chips to an iPhone A-series chip could drastically reduce production costs. M-series chips are powerful, but they are also larger and more expensive to manufacture. A-series chips have fewer CPU and GPU cores, meaning they can’t handle heavy workloads, such as video editing or programming, as efficiently. But for everyday tasks like browsing, streaming, or working on documents, the A18 Pro should be more than enough.
That makes sense for users who just want a Mac for basic tasks. But the question is, how well will it compare to existing MacBooks?
How Fast is the A18 Pro Compared to Mac Chips?
Benchmarks show the A18 Pro has:
- Single-core score: ~3500 (just behind the M4 chip’s 3,790–3,810 range, as used in the Mac mini)
- Multi-core score: ~8780 (lower than M4’s 15000 but similar to the older M1 chip)
As we can see, the A18’s single-core score is nearly as good as that of the latest MacBooks. However, its multi-core score, which is useful for handling heavy tasks or multitasking, is lower but still comparable to that of M1 Macs. This means the performance will be close to what we’re used to. Since most daily tasks rely on single-core performance, the A18 Pro should maintain smooth operation for casual users.
What Could It Cost?
There’s no official pricing yet. However, with Apple aiming to sell 5–7 million units in 2026 and push total MacBook sales back to the pre-COVID peak of 25 million units, this new MacBook needs to be priced significantly lower than the $999 MacBook Air.
If Apple manages to launch this at an aggressive price, it could compete directly with Chromebooks and Windows laptops in schools, offices, and homes.
Will It Run macOS or iPadOS?
Reports suggest it will still run macOS, not iPadOS. Apple already runs different chips across iPads and markets them by features rather than processors. It might do the same here, focusing on what the device can do, rather than what’s inside.
Could Apple Bring Back the “MacBook” Name?
If this rumor turns out to be true, it could be Apple’s way of reviving the plain MacBook line, which was discontinued in 2019. That model had its flaws, but many users loved its lightweight build and simplicity.
For now, we’ll have to wait and see how Apple positions this device. But one thing’s clear – a cheaper MacBook with an iPhone chip could change how we think about laptops in the Apple ecosystem.
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