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The MacRumors Show: iPhone 17e, Low-Cost MacBook, and iPad 12 Rumors

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On this episode of The MacRumors Show, we talk through Apple's plan to unveil three new entry-level devices early next year.


The iPhone 17e is expected to be a minor upgrade over this year's 16e, launching in early 2026. The main upgrade is likely to be the A19 chip from the iPhone 17, with few other changes expected. It is possible that the device could get the Dynamic Island and an iPhone 15-style design, but realistically that is likely to occur on a subsequent generation.

The 12th-generation iPad is finally due to support Apple Intelligence thanks to an upgrade to the A18 chip, arriving in the Spring.

The biggest launch in terms of entry-level devices next year is an all-new low-cost MacBook. It is rumored to be the first consumer Mac to feature an A-series chip designed for the iPhone, adopting the A18 Pro from 2024's iPhone 16 Pro models. It is expected to feature a 13-inch display and come in the same silver, blue, pink, and yellow color options like the iPad.

To meet its lower price point, the device is likely to make compromises such as using an older design or display components, 8GB of memory, or even just a single USB-C port, compared to the MacBook Air. The machine is expected to launch in early 2026 with a price point somewhere below the $999 MacBook Air, but above the iPad.

We discuss the importance of each of these new devices, who they are likely to appeal to, and how they're likely to launch. The MacRumors Show has its own YouTube channel, so make sure you're subscribed to keep up with new episodes and clips.



You can also listen to The MacRumors Show on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Overcast, or your preferred podcasts app. You can also copy our RSS feed directly into your podcast player.

​


If you haven't already listened to the previous episode of The MacRumors Show, catch up to hear our discussion about the latest leaks regarding the next-generation iPad Pro, MacBook Pro, Studio Display, and Vision Pro.

Subscribe to The MacRumors Show for new episodes every week, where we discuss some of the topical news breaking here on MacRumors, often joined by interesting guests such as Kayci Lacob, Kevin Nether, John Gruber, Mark Gurman, Jon Prosser, Luke Miani, Matthew Cassinelli, Brian Tong, Quinn Nelson, Jared Nelson, Eli Hodapp, Mike Bell, Sara Dietschy, iJustine, Jon Rettinger, Andru Edwards, Arnold Kim, Ben Sullins, Marcus Kane, Christopher Lawley, Frank McShan, David Lewis, Tyler Stalman, Sam Kohl, Federico Viticci, Thomas Frank, Jonathan Morrison, Ross Young, Ian Zelbo, and Rene Ritchie.

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Article Link: The MacRumors Show: iPhone 17e, Low-Cost MacBook, and iPad 12 Rumors
 
Article Link
https://www.macrumors.com/2025/10/10/the-macrumors-show-iphone-17e-low-cost-macbook/
For the low cost MacBooks, I want to see them as the MacBook version of the iMac. Same fun colors, white bezels, white keyboards, all just like iMac. But then for on the go. Make them look fun again, just like the PowerBook G3, which was a notebook version of the colored iMacs then. I think they will sell like hot cakes. I don't need one, but if they come out, I want one.
And they would be a perfect decoy product for the white bezel haters, to divert to MacBook Air instead. :)
 
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Just give me magsafe and I'll buy one. The fact that the 16e doesn't have magsafe is something between disappointing and ridiculous. All the rest features are more than enough for a user such as myself, i.e. just a normal person with normal needs.
 
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eduardodfj said:
Just give me magsafe and I'll buy one. The fact that the 16e doesn't have magsafe is something between disappointing and ridiculous. All the rest features are more than enough for a user such as myself, i.e. just a normal person with normal needs.
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The vast majority of people use a case, so..it's cheap behavior on Apple's part, but it doesn't bother me really.

We have a ton of 16e here at work, and the case they give us with it (which we're required to use) has a mag ring. It works just the same.
 
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WarmWinterHat said:
The vast majority of people use a case, so..it's cheap behavior on Apple's part, but it doesn't bother me really.

We have a ton of 16e here at work, and the case they give us with it (which we're required to use) has a mag ring. It works just the same.
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What kind of job do you have where they hand out iPhones? lol
 
ProbablyDylan said:
17e is going to be a hard sell. Really needs to be priced lower, especially considering the generous incentives from carriers.
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Several prepaid carriers were offering the 16e for $150.. I suspect it will be the same for the 17e.

My company is buying loads of them (16e) to replace the outgoing SE 2022.
 
Why is the Ipad 12 assumed to get an A18, if its expected to release Spring 2026?

Ipad 11 came with an A16, and release Spring 2025.

So you think they will get 2 generations of chip bump over a year?
 
azentropy said:
The magnets are just one part of MagSafe. The 16e lacks the communication hardware and the high-speed charging protocols of MagSafe. A case doesn't fix or add that.
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Didn't think about that. Good point.

My only experience with Magsafe is a wallet and popsocket.
 
azentropy said:
The magnets are just one part of MagSafe. The 16e lacks the communication hardware and the high-speed charging protocols of MagSafe. A case doesn't fix or add that.
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It adds what matters to people regarding magsafe.
 
WarmWinterHat said:
Several prepaid carriers were offering the 16e for $150.. I suspect it will be the same for the 17e.

My company is buying loads of them (16e) to replace the outgoing SE 2022.
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I suppose I was thinking companies would be cheaper and not buy its employees late model iPhones. 16e is generous.
 
azentropy said:
The magnets are just one part of MagSafe. The 16e lacks the communication hardware and the high-speed charging protocols of MagSafe. A case doesn't fix or add that.
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But THAT is a tradeoff I would be willing to make. I get it's an "e" model and therefore cheaper and therefore slower-charging.
 
Notice how they’ve already moved the goalposts from the original $599 rumor.

I told you guys that was never going to happen.

This thing will be $100 less than the MacBook Air, at best.
 
Worst episode ever … goes off of the 16e like he knows nothing about it…….. makes him look a right muppet
 
staypuftforums said:
Notice how they’ve already moved the goalposts from the original $599 rumor.

I told you guys that was never going to happen.

This thing will be $100 less than the MacBook Air, at best.
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I think you’re right. And as a result, it will miss the point of students being able to buy this as their first Mac on a budget. Instead it will be bought by people who already own Apple hardware and can afford something small and funky-coloured as a 2nd device.

I don’t see Apple crippling the device to the point of being unusable just because they want to hit a price point.
 
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Mikeske said:
I am now retired but my prior employer used Enterprise iPhones as I worked in aircraft assembly in the Seattle area. The cameras were disabled by software
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I've remember, years ago, working at the shipyard across from Seattle - they asked us to either remove the camera or drill it out. If caught with an iPhone with a camera, in use or not, where the camera was not disabled, you were immediately fired and escorted off of the base.
 
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