Apple Spring Event Preview: iPhone 17e and Affordable MacBook Take Center Stage

Apple is gearing up for its first major product launch of 2026. CEO Tim Cook hinted at an “important week” on social media, tagging it with “Apple Event.” According to CNMO, Apple will hold media events on March 4 in New York, Shanghai, and London. The spotlight is expected to shine on a budget-friendly MacBook, the iPhone 17e, and minor updates to the Mac and iPad lineup.

New Affordable MacBook: A Powerful Player in the Education Market
This new MacBook is designed to compete with Chromebooks in the education sector. Its aluminum body echoes the MacBook Air design and comes in vibrant colors including yellow, silver, blue, and pink. The screen size is expected to be 12.9 or 13 inches.

The standout feature is the A18 Pro chip, built on second-generation 3nm process, delivering sufficient performance for daily browsing, document editing, and light media tasks. To keep costs low, compromises may exist in maximum screen brightness, True Tone, backlit keyboard, and SSD speed. USB-C (10Gb/s) will be available, but Thunderbolt may not.

Pricing is expected to be significantly lower than the $999 MacBook Air, likely ranging from $599 to $799, aligning with the iPad Air and offering excellent value for students.

iPhone 17e: Practical Upgrades, Fresh Experience
As the successor to the iPhone 16e, the iPhone 17e brings practical improvements. The design remains largely the same with a 6.1-inch screen and single rear camera. Notable upgrades include replacing the notch with the Dynamic Island and adding 15W MagSafe wireless charging support for the first time.

Performance-wise, it will feature the A19 chip (possibly slightly throttled), paired with Apple’s efficient C1X modem. To differentiate it from high-end models, it may keep a 60Hz display and no Always-On functionality. The starting price is expected to remain at $599 (approximately ¥4499 in China).

Routine iPad and Mac Updates

• iPad Air: Upgrading from M2 to M4 chip, significantly enhancing CPU and GPU performance. Design and display remain unchanged. Expected to include Apple’s N1 Wi-Fi/Bluetooth chip and possibly faster charging. Pricing remains the same (11-inch $599, 13-inch $799).
• iPad 12th Gen: Expected to feature A18 or A19 chip, first to support Apple Intelligence, RAM likely increases from 6GB to 8GB, starting at $349.
• MacBook Pro (High-end): 14-inch and 16-inch models to be upgraded to M5 Pro and M5 Max chips for better performance and efficiency.
• MacBook Air: Routine upgrade to M5 chip, available in 13-inch and 15-inch models, starting at $1099.

Other Highlights
Apple’s “Special Experience” event is likely focused on mid- and low-tier devices. Rumors of a new HomePod mini and Apple TV persist, but release timing remains uncertain due to delays with the new Siri.