Apple might be getting ready to launch a more affordable MacBook—and this time, it could run on the same chip used in the latest iPhone.
According to well-known analyst Ming-Chi Kuo, you could soon see a budget-friendly MacBook featuring a 13-inch display and powered by the A18 Pro chip. That’s the same chip that debuted in the iPhone 16 Pro and iPhone 16 Pro Max. If true, this would mark a major shift in Apple’s Mac strategy—moving away from the powerful M-series chips used since 2020 in favour of a chip originally built for mobile devices.
Kuo announced in X (formerly Twitter), and the news was later backed up by MacRumors, which discovered code within Apple’s new AI framework, Apple Intelligence. The code mentioned a new device under the identifier “Mac17,1,” which doesn’t match any current Mac model. This detail adds weight to the rumour and suggests that Apple may already be testing this new machine.
— 郭明錤 (Ming-Chi Kuo) (@mingchikuo) June 30, 2025
What the A18 Pro chip means for you
The A18 Pro is no ordinary mobile chip. As we covered in our feature on its performance, it’s a strong contender, even against Apple’s own M1 desktop-class chip. In many cases, the A18 Pro holds its own; in some benchmarks, it even comes ahead. This suggests that the chip could easily handle everyday computing tasks on a MacBook, especially for people who use their laptops for browsing, emails, streaming, and light productivity work.
So, what’s the benefit of using a chip like this in a MacBook? The biggest advantages are likely to be cost and efficiency. By using a chip already being produced for the iPhone, Apple may be able to cut manufacturing costs. The A18 Pro is also designed to use less power, which could help battery life.
A colourful budget MacBook coming in 2025 or 2026
The new MacBook might launch in late 2025 or early 2026 if the rumours are true. It’s expected to be available in four colours—silver, blue, pink, and yellow—offering a vibrant alternative to higher-end models’ more professional space grey and silver finishes.
This MacBook could be a key part of Apple’s plan to sell around 25 million MacBooks in 2026. Kuo estimates that the budget model alone could make up 20% to 28% of all MacBook shipments next year. That would mean around 5 to 7 million units sold, showing Apple is serious about reaching more users with lower-priced options.
It also reflects a similar strategy to what Apple has done with the iPad. The iPad Pro and Air use the M-series chips, while the standard iPad and iPad mini rely on the more affordable A-series chips. If this approach works for laptops too, Apple may be able to attract more customers, particularly students and casual users who don’t need high-end performance but still want the Apple experience.
Could this change the entry-level laptop market?
By launching a cheaper MacBook with an iPhone chip, Apple might not just be lowering the price—it could be shaking up the entire budget laptop space. Competitors like Windows laptop makers currently dominate that category, but Apple’s entry might pressure them to step up in design, performance, or pricing.
There are still many unknowns. Will macOS run as smoothly on an A-series chip as on an M-series? Will apps designed for Mac still work without issue? And how much will this new MacBook cost? Apple hasn’t confirmed anything yet, but if Kuo’s predictions are accurate, you won’t have to wait too long.
