Apple’s most affordable products are about to get a lot more exciting

Source: 9to5Mac

Apple has a lot of new products rumored to launch soon, and among them, the most affordable iPhone, iPad, and MacBook models will get a lot more exciting. Here’s what’s coming.

iPhone 17e

Last February, Apple launched a new iPhone model targeting budget‑conscious buyers: the iPhone 16e. The new model packed many of the flagship features of the pricier iPhone 16, with a few key drawbacks.

Rumors indicate the forthcoming iPhone 17e will remedy some of the biggest 16e shortcomings. Expected new features include:

• Latest generation A19 chip
• MagSafe support, which iPhone 16e lacked
• Modern design with Dynamic Island, thinner bezels
• Apple’s C1X modem and N1 wireless chip
• Possibly the iPhone 17’s Center Stage front camera

These add up to make the iPhone 17e an extremely compelling budget option. The biggest features that the iPhone 17 will still have as advantages include an Ultra‑Wide rear camera and ProMotion support.

iPad with A18

Apple’s entry‑level iPad is about to get updated too. While most refreshes to the base iPad aren’t particularly exciting, this one will be for one reason: the A18 chip.

The A18 chip means the iPad will be faster than the current A16 model and is expected to come with more RAM. More importantly, the A18 will unlock Apple Intelligence support on Apple’s most affordable iPad, bringing advanced AI features that are becoming essential.

The new Siri, supercharged by Google technology, is almost here, and many more Apple Intelligence upgrades are on the way. The most affordable iPad won’t be held back any longer.

New ‘MacBook’

Currently, the bestselling Mac is the most affordable laptop: the MacBook Air. But the most affordable laptop will soon be an entirely new model: a ‘MacBook’ with no suffix.

The new MacBook is expected to cost around $699—far lower than the current $999 MacBook Air price. Apple is rumored to equip it with an iPhone‑class A18 Pro chip, a 12.9‑inch display, and offer it in a variety of fun colors such as blue, pink, yellow, and silver.

Essentially, Apple’s laptop line is becoming more like the iPad family: a base ‘MacBook’, a mid‑tier MacBook Air, and the high‑end MacBook Pro. The new MacBook will likely include Apple’s N1 wireless chip and 8 GB of RAM. While it won’t be the best computer for advanced tasks, it could be a hit for basic computing.

What do you think of Apple’s upcoming lineup of new, affordable products? Let us know in the comments.