iPhone 17e Gets MagSafe, A19 Chip at $599; M5 MacBooks Start $1,599 in Apple's 2026 Product Wave

Apple reportedly plans to release an iPhone 17e and an iPad Air with an M4 chip in the coming weeks, according to Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman. Apple retail employees indicate that inventory of the iPhone 16e has dried out and the iPad Air is experiencing shortages as well, signaling imminent refreshes.

The iPhone 17e is expected to be a spec-bumped successor to the iPhone 16e. Reports claim the device will have four key upgrades over the iPhone 16e, including MagSafe, an A19 chip instead of an A18 chip, Apple’s second-generation C1X modem instead of the C1 modem, and Apple’s N1 chip for Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and Thread. The device is expected to maintain the $599 starting price.

Apple is about to kick off a busy 2026 with multiple product releases over the next several weeks. The iPhone 17e is reportedly coming in the next few weeks at $599 with the A19 chip from the iPhone 17, MagSafe charging, and Apple’s newest in-house cellular chips. Updated iPads are also expected imminently, including a refreshed entry-level model with the A18 chip and iPad Airs with M4 processors.

Apple’s 2026 Product Launch Timeline

Explore the upcoming wave of releases expected to transform Apple’s lineup over the coming months

Phase 1

February 2026

Phase 2

March – April

Phase 3

H2 2026

Reportedly Next Week

iPhone 17e

MagSafe comes to the budget model

$599

A19 chip from iPhone 17
MagSafe charging support
Apple C1X modem (2nd gen)
N1 chip for Wi-Fi/Bluetooth/Thread
6.1-inch OLED display
48MP rear camera

Expected Upgrades

The iPhone 17e reportedly brings four key upgrades over the iPhone 16e. According to Macwelt reports, Apple may announce the device on Thursday, February 19 via a press release on the Apple Newsroom website. The device is expected to maintain the same $599 starting price as the iPhone 16e while adding MagSafe wireless charging capability, a significant addition to the budget lineup. Performance benchmarks show the A19 chip delivers substantial improvements in processing power and energy efficiency. For more on competing chip architectures, see Snapdragon X2 Elite vs Apple M5 benchmark comparisons.

Coming Weeks

iPad Air

M4 chip brings pro-level power

TBA

M4 chip upgrade from M3
38 TOPS neural engine
Apple Intelligence ready
11-inch & 12.9-inch sizes expected
LED display (120Hz Pro only)
Enhanced wireless connectivity

Performance Capabilities

Apple retail employees have reported iPad Air inventory shortages, suggesting an imminent refresh. The M4 chip features a Neural Engine capable of 38 trillion operations per second (TOPS), enabling on-device AI processing for Apple Intelligence features. The M4 iPad Air positions itself as a performance option for users who need serious computing capabilities without Pro pricing. Related AI integration advances are transforming how devices process information locally, as seen in developments like Sarvam AI’s vision technology achieving 84% OCR accuracy in Indian languages.

Spring 2026

iPad (11th Gen)

Apple Intelligence for everyone

Expected ~$349

A18 chip upgrade
First base iPad with AI support
Apple Intelligence features
Expected to maintain affordable pricing
Targets education sector
Enterprise deployment ready

AI Accessibility

Apple Intelligence support marks a significant milestone for the entry-level iPad, making advanced AI features accessible across Apple’s entire tablet lineup. The A18 chip provides the computational power necessary to run on-device AI models efficiently. This positions the base iPad as a compelling option for students and businesses looking to leverage AI capabilities. The broader industry is experiencing rapid AI tool evolution, as demonstrated by recent updates like ChatGPT’s Deep Research full-screen viewer in February 2026.

Early March

MacBook Pro M5

Pro and Max variants expected

From $1,599

M5 Pro & M5 Max chips
14-inch & 16-inch models
Same design as M4 generation
Processor-focused upgrade
Enhanced AI performance
Up to 24 hours battery life (14-inch)

Current Generation Details

Apple unveiled the 14-inch MacBook Pro with M5 chip in October 2025, featuring a next-generation GPU with Neural Accelerator delivering up to 3.5x the AI performance. The base 14-inch model starts at $1,599 with the M5 chip, 16GB RAM, and 512GB SSD. Apple reportedly targets early March for M5 Pro and M5 Max MacBook Pro models. However, industry analysts suggest the next generation with M6 chips will bring substantial upgrades including OLED displays and touch support. Performance comparisons like Snapdragon X2 Elite vs Apple M5 benchmarks provide context for competitive positioning.

Spring 2026

MacBook Air M5

Thin, light, powerful

Expected from $1,099

M5 chip integration
13-inch & 15-inch options
Expected to maintain iconic Air design
Enhanced battery efficiency
Suitable for everyday computing
Student-friendly pricing expected

Consumer Favorite

The MacBook Air M5 represents Apple’s commitment to accessible high-performance computing. Mass production is expected to begin shortly after the Pro models launch, targeting late March or early April release. This refresh continues the Air’s legacy as the most popular Mac for consumers and professionals alike. The M5 chip’s efficiency improvements should deliver longer battery life while maintaining the fanless design that has defined the Air lineup.

Mid 2026

MacBook (Budget)

iPhone chip in laptop form

Expected $699-$750

iPhone-class processor expected
13-inch display
Targets Chromebook market
Enterprise-focused design
Emerging markets strategy
Expected centerpiece of 2026 launches

Market Expansion

This low-cost MacBook reportedly targets education and business sectors currently dominated by Windows laptops and Chromebooks. Using an iPhone-class chip allows Apple to achieve aggressive pricing while maintaining quality standards. Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman has reported this device could reshape Apple’s market positioning in price-sensitive regions, making macOS accessible to a broader audience. The strategy mirrors successful approaches in mobile computing where performance and efficiency are prioritized over raw processing power.

Later in 2026: Anticipated Major Innovations

Foldable iPhone

Apple’s first foldable iPhone is reportedly planned for the second half of 2026, potentially around $2,300. This would represent Apple’s entry into the folding display market several years after competitors, with Apple typically waiting to refine technology before adoption.

MacBook Pro OLED

Touch-enabled OLED displays are expected to come to MacBook Pro models with M6 Pro and M6 Max chips, potentially in late 2026 or early 2027. This would represent a major design shift and interaction paradigm change for Apple’s professional laptop lineup.

Smart Home Devices

Apple reportedly plans updates to Apple TV and HomePod mini throughout 2026, along with potential new smart home security products including cameras. These updates aim to enhance ecosystem integration across all Apple products.

Product Launch Overview

Apple’s 2026 product roadmap was discussed, covering the expected iPhone 17e release with MagSafe charging and A19 chip at $599. The updated iPad Air with M4 processors and entry-level iPad with A18 chip receiving Apple Intelligence support were outlined. Several Mac releases were mentioned, including 14-inch and 16-inch MacBook Pro models with M5 processors starting at $1,599, and MacBook Air with M5 chips.

The low-cost MacBook featuring a 13-inch display powered by an iPhone-class chip in the $699-$750 range was covered. Later 2026 plans potentially include the first foldable iPhone and MacBook Pro models with OLED screens and touch support featuring M6 chips. Information about YouTube’s Vision Pro app launch and other technology developments were referenced for broader context.

The timeline, specifications, and pricing information for these products were presented based on available reports and industry sources. The products aim to serve different market segments from budget-conscious consumers to professional users.