Apple tipped to launch at least 5 new products soon, including cheaper iPhone and MacBook

Apple looks set to break its quiet start to 2026 with new hardware across Macs, iPads and iPhones, pointing to a busier, more aggressive product strategy over the next few weeks. A new report by Bloomberg suggests more than five devices are lined up, headlined by a cheaper MacBook with an A18 Pro chip, the new iPhone 17e and refreshed M5-based MacBook Air and MacBook Pro models.

Mark Gurman reports on the Mac side of things. Apple is reportedly expected to unveil the new M5 Pro and M5 Max MacBook Pro laptops as early as the week of March 2nd. These should target power users and creators who’ve been holding off upgrades since the last major Pro refresh, even as rivals like Dell’s XPS and ASUS’ Creator series push harder on OLED screens, high-refresh panels and dedicated AI features in Windows laptops. Apple could likely answer with faster in-house silicon, better efficiency, but familiar designs, which may still appeal to users prioritising battery life and macOS stability over experimental form factors.

The M5 MacBook Air is expected shortly after, likely as a spring refresh that keeps the same thin-and-light formula but adds a spec bump and stronger on-device AI performance. For many students and writers, this could remain the “default” Mac, especially as competing ultrabooks from HP and Lenovo inch up in price once you match RAM and SSD configurations.

The most talked-about move, though, is the new low-cost MacBook powered by an A18 Pro chip, reportedly with a sub-13-inch display, aluminium body, experimental colours and pricing under USD 1,000, potentially around USD 699 (around Rs 63,000). That puts it closer to well-specced Chromebooks and mid-range Windows laptops than the current USD 999 (Rs 99,990 in India) MacBook Air, signalling a clearer push at students and first-time Mac buyers who might otherwise settle for a budget gaming or productivity laptop. If Apple can deliver smooth macOS performance and Apple Intelligence features on iPhone-class silicon, this could become the default recommendation for casual users who mostly browse, stream and work in the cloud, especially in markets where entry-level Windows machines often compromise on build quality.

Alongside the Macs, Apple is also tipped to launch an iPhone 17e, a refreshed base iPad and an M4 iPad Air around late February to March, mainly as performance-focused updates rather than full redesigns. The iPhone 17e could arrive as early as this week, and based on leaks, is expected to bring interesting upgrades for those wishing to enter the Apple ecosystem on a (relative) budget. Buyers in no rush can wait a few weeks to check what Apple has in store for them. Budget-conscious users could gain a genuinely cheaper way into the Mac ecosystem, while professionals can decide between discounted M4 machines and newer M5 models once official pricing lands.