Apple Reportedly Planning Cheaper MacBook Powered by iPhone Chip

Apple may soon expand its Mac lineup in an unexpected direction: a budget-friendly MacBook powered not by an M-series chip, but by the same processor found in the iPhone.

A MacBook with an iPhone Chip?

According to reliable analyst Ming-Chi Kuo, Apple is aiming to release a new entry-level MacBook sometime in late 2025 or early 2026. The key difference? Instead of the usual Apple Silicon M-series processor, this model would be powered by the A18 Pro chip — the same one set to debut in the iPhone 16 Pro lineup.

Familiar Display, New Approach

Ming-Chi says the new MacBook would retain a 13-inch display like the current MacBook Air, suggesting that performance — not design — would be the primary differentiator. Apple may also add a splash of color to the line, with silver, pink, and yellow models reportedly in the works.

Performance That’s “Good Enough”

While some may question whether an iPhone chip can power a full Mac experience, benchmarks suggest otherwise. The A18 Pro scores around 3500 in single-core Geekbench tests — only slightly below the M4 chip. Multicore performance is closer to the original M1 chip, which remains widely used today. For everyday users who rely on web browsing, media consumption, and light productivity, the difference may be negligible.

The Big Question: Price

Apple’s cheapest MacBook currently starts at $999. But for the new model to succeed, it would need to undercut that significantly. Kuo estimates production in the range of 5–7 million units, hinting at a major push into the low-cost laptop market — something Apple has never done before.

What to Expect

This lower-priced MacBook could serve as a great entry point for students, casual users, or those on a tighter budget — as long as Apple gets the price right. With high performance-per-watt and lower manufacturing costs tied to the A18 chip, this could mark the beginning of a new strategy for the Mac lineup.