Apple May Launch a Cheaper MacBook with iPhone Chip, Says Kuo

Highlights

• Apple may launch a cheaper MacBook powered by the A18 Pro chip, the same processor that has been used in the iPhone 16 Pro.
• Production could begin in late 2025 or early 2026 with a 13-inch display and colourful finishes like silver, pink, and yellow.
• The A18 Pro offers performance close to the M1 chip and the laptop is expected to be priced below the $999 MacBook Air.

Caption – Apple is reportedly working on a more affordable MacBook with an A19 Pro chip. (Image credit – Apple)

Apple might finally be working on a more affordable MacBook. According to well-known analyst Ming-Chi Kuo, Apple is planning to release a new laptop powered by the A18 Pro chip instead of its usual M-series processors. It is the same chip used in the iPhone 16 Pro lineup.

— 郭明錤 (Ming-Chi Kuo) (@mingchikuo) June 30, 2025

In a detailed post on X (formerly Twitter), Kuo said that production for this MacBook could begin in late 2025 or early 2026. The new model is expected to feature a 13-inch display, just like the current MacBook Air, but with the A18 chip being the main difference in terms of performance.

The new MacBook might also come in colourful finishes like silver, pink, and yellow, giving it a fresh and more playful look.

As of now, we don’t know the exact price, but the idea is that it would be cheaper than the $999 MacBook Air, which is currently Apple’s most affordable laptop. Kuo reports that Apple is planning to produce around 5–7 million units in 2026, hinting at a competitive price point meant to attract high-volume sales.

While this would be the first time Apple puts an iPhone chip in a Mac, the A18 Pro is still quite powerful. On Geekbench, its single-core score is around 3500, only slightly behind the M4 chip in the latest Mac mini. It does lag more in multi-core performance (8780 vs 15000 for M4), but for everyday tasks, most users likely wouldn’t notice a big difference.

The A18’s multi-core performance is actually close to that of the original M1 chip, which is still used by many people today without any issues.

In the end, the success of this new MacBook will depend on how much cheaper it will be than the MacBook Air. If priced right, it could open up the Mac ecosystem to a whole new group of users.

FAQs

Q1. What processor will the new budget MacBook use?

Answer. Apple is planning to release a new MacBook powered by the A18 Pro chip, the same chip used in the upcoming iPhone 16 Pro, instead of its usual M-series processors.

Q2. When is the new MacBook expected to enter production?

Answer. According to analyst Ming-Chi Kuo, production for the new MacBook could begin in late 2025 or early 2026.

Q3. How will the new MacBook compare in performance and price?

Answer. The A18 Pro’s multi-core performance is close to the original M1 chip, and the new MacBook is expected to be cheaper than the $999 MacBook Air, targeting high-volume sales.

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