CALIFORNIA (Kashmir English): Apple is preparing for a significant product launch in early 2026, with major updates expected for the iPhone, iPad, and Mac lineups.
According to Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman, these releases aim to bolster Apple’s presence in emerging markets and provide more powerful options for budget-conscious and enterprise users.
iPhone 17e
The iPhone 17e is expected to be launched imminently as a direct successor to the iPhone 16e.
Likely to feature the A19 chip (the same used in the standard iPhone 17), iPhone 17e promises a substantial speed boost.
The new product will likely debut Apple’s first in-house C1X modem and N1 wireless chip for improved 5G and Wi-Fi performance.
New features
Reports suggest the inclusion of MagSafe support for magnetic charging, a feature previously absent from the “e” series.
The model is anticipated to maintain a starting price of $599 (PKR 166,978), positioning it as a highly competitive entry-level model.
Apple is also set to update its tablet lineup with a focus on internal performance rather than design changes.
The 12th-Gen iPad is slated to receive the A18 chip, which will finally bring Apple Intelligence support to the entry-level model.
iPad Air is expected to move to the more powerful M4 chip, offering a significant performance leap for creative tasks.
Some reports indicate a potential move to OLED displays for the iPad mini, though this may launch later in the year.
The Mac lineup is transitioning to the M5 silicon generation, prioritizing graphics and AI performance.
New 14-inch and 16-inch MacBook Pro models with M5 Pro and M5 Max chips are expected shortly, potentially coinciding with the release of macOS 26.3.
Refreshed 13-inch and 15-inch MacBook Air models with the base M5 chip are anticipated for a spring release.
Launch timeline
While Apple has not confirmed an event, analysts point to a release window starting as early as the week of March 2, 2026. Some reports suggest the iPhone 17e could even be announced via press release as early as February 18 or 19.
