Pareesa Afreen 
Nov 23, 2025
Apple is preparing a fresh wave of budget-friendly devices for early 2026, according to analyst Jeff Pu, who reports that the company will introduce a low-cost iPhone, iPad, and Mac aimed at value-driven buyers.
The next budget iPhone will keep a familiar design and acquire some notable internal upgrades, if the rumour mill is right, launching as the iPhone 17e. It has Apple's next-gen A19 chip with 8GB of RAM for more power compared to existing entry-level iPhones.
Apple will also upgrade the front camera to 18 megapixels, while the rear will stay at 48 megapixels in a notch-style display. As befits its budget status, it'll stick with the C1 modem, rather than the newer C1X 5G chip.
Along with the iPhone, it is also working on an affordable iPad that comes with the A18 chip, as well as 8GB RAM. This may be the final iPad to offer support for Apple Intelligence features, a transition point of sorts for the lineup.
A budget MacBook is said to be in the works too, housing an iPhone-class processor. The design, display, and chassis are still a mystery for now, but it's going to be targeted at those looking for a more affordable entry into macOS.
Looking ahead, Apple is expected to introduce the iPhone Air 2, iPhone 18, and iPhone 18e in early 2027, all adopting the upcoming C2 5G modem.
