Apple will kick off its first major product announcements of 2026 starting Monday, setting the stage for a packed week that leads into a Special Apple Experience for media on March 4 in New York, Shanghai, and London. CEO Tim Cook teased a big week ahead, and Apple has scheduled in-person briefings, which signals a broad hardware refresh across several product lines.
Based on current information, Apple will focus on lower-cost devices, while also updating select Mac models with next-generation chips. The lineup is expected to include a new low-cost MacBook, the iPhone 17e, refreshed iPad Air and entry-level iPad models, updated MacBook Pro and MacBook Air models, and possibly early signs of new home products. Here is a detailed look at what to expect from the Special Apple Experience event week.
1. Low-Cost MacBook
Design
Apple plans to introduce an all-new low-cost MacBook that closely resembles the MacBook Air in overall design. It will feature an aluminum chassis and a 12.9-inch or 13-inch display, depending on final specifications. Apple has tested multiple colors, including light yellow, light green, blue, pink, silver, and dark gray, though the final selection will likely include at least four options.
Apple appears to target students and education buyers with this model. The company has used similar pricing strategies with the low-cost iPad, relying on slightly older display technology and a thicker chassis to reduce costs. A similar approach here could result in a thicker body paired with a power-efficient chip, which would improve battery life for school use.
Some reports suggest a thin and light design due to the use of a lower-power A-series chip, but Apple usually reserves its thinnest designs for higher-priced models. Making this device thinner than the MacBook Air would blur product positioning, so Apple will likely prioritize battery life and cost control over extreme thinness.
Display and Feature Trade Offs
To keep the price down, Apple may reduce certain premium features:
* Lower maximum display brightness
* No True Tone support
* No backlit keyboard
* Slower SSD speeds
* No N1 networking chip
These trade-offs would clearly separate the model from the MacBook Air and MacBook Pro.
A18 Pro Chip
The most consistent detail centers on the processor. Apple is expected to use the A18 Pro chip instead of an M-series chip. The A18 Pro debuted in the iPhone 16 Pro and uses a second-generation 3-nanometer process.
It includes:
* 6-core CPU with four performance cores and two efficiency cores
* 6-core GPU
* 16-core Neural Engine
Benchmark scores show strong single-core performance close to Apple’s M4 chips, though multi-core performance trails behind. Even so, performance would exceed the older M1 chip that Apple previously used in entry MacBook Air models.
For everyday use such as web browsing, document editing, streaming, and light creative work, the A18 Pro is more than capable. It will not target heavy 4K video editing, 3D rendering, or high-end gaming, but it will handle most student and office workloads comfortably.
RAM, Storage, Ports, and Price
Apple will likely include at least 8GB of RAM to support Apple Intelligence, though 16GB remains possible since all current Macs start at that level. Storage could begin at 128GB, lower than the 256GB base storage of the MacBook Air.
Because the A18 Pro does not support Thunderbolt, this MacBook will likely offer USB C at 10Gb per second speeds and support only a single external display.
Pricing is expected between $599 and $799. A $599 starting price would align with premium Chromebook pricing and Apple’s iPhone 16e positioning.
2. iPhone 17e
Design and Display
The iPhone 17e will build on the iPhone 16e design with a 6.1 inch display, single rear camera, and black and white color options. Apple will likely keep the 60Hz refresh rate, making it the only new iPhone in the lineup without 120Hz ProMotion support.
Always on display support remains unlikely because that requires more advanced OLED panels reserved for higher end models. Brightness and HDR performance will also stay below flagship levels.
There are mixed reports about whether Apple will replace the notch with Dynamic Island. Some rumors suggest the change, while others indicate Apple will keep the notch to control costs.
A19 Chip and Performance
Apple will equip the iPhone 17e with the A19 chip, built on an upgraded 3 nanometer process. The chip delivers a 5 to 10 percent improvement over the A18, along with an updated display engine, improved image signal processor, and stronger Neural Engine.
Apple may downclock the A19 or reduce GPU cores, similar to how it configured the A18 in the iPhone 16e. Even with minor GPU reductions, performance will remain strong for everyday tasks and Apple Intelligence features.
The phone will likely continue with 8GB of RAM, the minimum required for Apple Intelligence.
MagSafe, Camera, and Connectivity
Apple is expected to add MagSafe support, addressing a key limitation of the iPhone 16e. This upgrade would increase wireless charging speeds to at least 15W and unlock compatibility with existing MagSafe accessories.
Camera hardware should remain the same:
* Single 48 megapixel rear camera
* 12 megapixel front camera
The iPhone 17e will adopt Apple’s C1X modem, which offers up to double the speed of the earlier C1 and improved power efficiency. There are mixed signals about whether Apple will include its N1 Wi Fi and Bluetooth chip.
Pricing should remain at $599.
3. iPad Air 12
Design and Display
Apple will refresh the iPad Air with internal upgrades while keeping the same 11 inch and 13 inch size options. The device will continue using an LED display rather than OLED, and it will not support ProMotion.
The design, USB C port, Touch ID top button, and compatibility with Magic Keyboard and Apple Pencil Pro will remain unchanged.
M4 Chip
The iPad Air will adopt the M4 chip, one generation behind the M5 used in the latest iPad Pro. The M4 delivers:
* Up to 30 percent faster CPU performance compared to M3
* Up to 21 percent faster GPU performance
* Improved Neural Engine speed
* Greater memory bandwidth
The device already supports Apple Intelligence, and that will continue. Current RAM starts at 8GB, and there is no confirmed change.
Connectivity and Pricing
Cellular models will likely adopt the C1X modem, while Wi Fi models may move to Apple’s N1 chip with Wi Fi 7 and Bluetooth 6 support.
Pricing should remain at $599 for 11 inch and $799 for 13 inch models.
4. Low-Cost iPad with A19 Chip
Design
The next generation entry iPad will retain its 11 inch LCD with thick bezels and Touch ID side button. It remains Apple’s thickest tablet at 7mm and does not support ProMotion or laminated display technology.
A Series Chip Upgrade
Apple will move from the A16 to either the A18 or A19 chip. This shift enables Apple Intelligence support for the first time on the low cost iPad. RAM will increase from 6GB to at least 8GB to meet system requirements.
Networking and Pricing
Apple may include the N1 chip, bringing Wi Fi 7 and Bluetooth 6, though this remains uncertain. Cellular models could receive Apple’s in house modem.
Pricing is expected to stay at $349 for 128GB.
5. MacBook Pro with M5 Pro/M5 Max
M5 Pro and M5 Max
Apple already updated the base 14-inch model with the M5 chip. Now it will refresh higher end 14 inch and 16 inch versions with M5 Pro and M5 Max chips.
The M5 family delivers:
* Up to 20 percent faster multi-core CPU performance
* Up to 30 percent faster GPU performance
* Neural Accelerator in each GPU core
* Improved unified memory bandwidth
These improvements focus on AI workloads, graphics tasks, and heavy professional applications.
Future models are expected to introduce OLED displays and touch support, which makes early 2026 a transitional update for professionals evaluating upgrades.
6. M5 MacBook Air
M5 Chip Upgrade
The MacBook Air will adopt the M5 chip with up to 10 CPU cores and 10 GPU cores. Apple claims up to 15 percent faster multi thread CPU performance and 30 percent faster GPU performance compared to M4.
Unified memory bandwidth increases to 153GB per second, and base RAM will continue at 16GB. Storage tiers should start at 256GB.
Design and Pricing
Apple will keep the existing 13 inch and 15 inch design introduced in 2022. The fanless thermal system and aluminum body remain unchanged.
Pricing should continue at $1,099.
7. Other Devices
Apple may also prepare updates for the HomePod mini and Apple TV, though both appear tied to a delayed Siri refresh. Hardware updates would likely include new chips and colors without major design changes.
Event Timing and Format
Apple will not stream a traditional keynote. Instead, the company will announce products through press releases early in the week and host a Special Apple Experience for media on March 4 at 9:00 a.m. Eastern Time.
This approach signals a broad but incremental refresh cycle, with the low cost MacBook and iPhone 17e expected to draw the most attention. The week should define Apple’s hardware direction for the rest of 2026, especially in education and entry level markets.
