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Upcoming Affordable MacBook Powered by iPhone Chips Could Launch in 2025-2026

Upcoming Affordable MacBook Powered by iPhone Chips Could Launch in 2025-2026
source: gettyimages
September 18, 2025

Over the past few months, rumors have circulated about a budget-friendly MacBook slated for release in late 2025 or early 2026, featuring an iPhone processor. Uncertainty remains whether it will be equipped with the A18 Pro or the newer A19 Pro chip.

Rumors and Leaks Point to A18 Pro

In June, prominent Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo suggested that this lower-cost MacBook would utilize the A18 Pro chip, initially introduced with the iPhone 16 Pro models last year. Following this, MacRumors contributor Aaron Perris uncovered evidence supporting the A18 Pro for the device, with DigiTimes corroborating these claims.

Possibility of an A19 Pro Chip

Recently, a post on Chinese social media platform Weibo from a user named "Mobile Phone Chip Expert" claimed that Apple is considering the A19 Pro chip for the MacBook. If true, it could feature the GPU configurations found in iPhone 17 Pro models (6-core GPU) or the iPhone Air (5-core GPU). Notably, this source previously indicated that at least one iPhone 17 variant would come with 12GB of RAM, lending some credibility to the leak.

Performance and Memory Considerations

The A19 Pro would likely offer a performance boost over the A18 Pro, which is comparable to the M1 chip. Additionally, the A19 Pro boasts 12GB of unified memory, surpassing the 8GB in the A18 Pro. Since last year, the entire Mac lineup has started with at least 16GB of RAM, except for older models like the five-year-old MacBook Air with an M1 chip, which is still sold through Walmart for $599.

Connectivity and Design

Both chips lack Thunderbolt support, meaning the MacBook would mainly have USB-C ports with speeds limited to around 10 Gbps and support for only a single external display natively. However, DisplayLink adapters could enable the connection of multiple displays. Kuo predicts a 13-inch display with color options such as silver, blue, pink, and yellow.

Release Timeline

Apple traditionally unveils new Macs in October, so a debut as soon as next month is plausible. If postponed, March 2026 remains a likely release window.

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Note: All images used to support this article are representative of the queries mentioned.

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