Apple’s 2026 lineup is beginning to take shape, and new information from analyst Jeff Pu indicates that the company is preparing a series of budget focused releases for the first part of the year. The report outlines three products expected to arrive early in 2026. These include a lower cost MacBook, a new entry level iPhone 17e and the twelfth generation iPad. All three appear to target buyers who want Apple hardware without moving into the top tier price range.
The affordable MacBook has been rumoured for several months. Pu now suggests a launch window early next year with a starting price near five hundred ninety nine dollars. If accurate, it would position the product significantly below the current MacBook Air. The laptop is said to feature a thirteen inch display, Apple’s A18 Pro chip and colour options including silver, blue, pink and yellow. This specification list places the device closer to Apple’s mobile hardware lineage than the existing MacBook line and shows Apple’s intent to create a clear separation between its premium and budget notebooks.
The second major product expected is the iPhone 17e. This model continues the direction set by the iPhone 16e that debuted in February 2025. The starting price is predicted to stay near five hundred ninety nine dollars. Most core specifications are expected to remain steady, although Pu reports an upgrade to the A19 processor, a new eighteen megapixel front camera with Center Stage support and Apple’s C1 modem. The shift away from the SE naming structure reflects Apple’s effort to reposition the range rather than treating it as a specialised category.
A successor to the iPhone 16e is coming (Image credit: Future)The twelfth generation iPad rounds out the early 2026 group. Apple is expected to update the device with the A18 chipset, which would allow the entry level iPad to support Apple Intelligence features. The report suggests that most other aspects of the hardware will remain unchanged. This approach is consistent with Apple’s recent strategy in the lower priced tablet segment, where stability and predictable updates are prioritised over major redesigns.
These upcoming devices indicate a broader strategy to expand Apple’s entry level lineup. By refreshing budget friendly options across phones, tablets and notebooks at the same time, Apple appears to be targeting a wider audience and strengthening its presence in the mid range market. Additional releases within the iPhone, iPad and MacBook families are expected later in the year, but these early models will set the tone for Apple’s 2026 cycle.
