Apple Eyes Affordable MacBook Powered by iPhone Chip: Disruption or Strategy?

Apple’s Bold Bid to Regain MacBook Momentum

Apple is reportedly preparing to disrupt the laptop market with an unexpected move: launching a budget-friendly MacBook powered by its mobile A18 Pro chip — the same processor used in the iPhone 16 Pro. According to veteran Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo, this new model could enter mass production in late 2025 or early 2026. This signals a notable shift in Apple’s laptop strategy, blending mobile silicon with desktop-class devices to possibly unlock new efficiencies and price points.

Kuo suggests that Apple’s ultimate goal is to bring total MacBook shipments back to the pandemic-era peak of around 25 million units by 2026, a significant jump from the projected 20 million units in 2025. He estimates that this affordable variant alone could account for 5–7 million units — a strong contributor to this recovery plan.

Though not officially confirmed, this low-cost MacBook may be the spiritual successor to the now-discontinued 12-inch Retina MacBook, first released a decade ago. At the time, then-CEO Tim Cook hailed it as a reinvention of the notebook, though it was phased out following the debut of the revamped MacBook Air in 2019.

Leaked details suggest that this upcoming MacBook will feature a 13-inch screen and a selection of bold color options including silver, blue, pink, and yellow — a nod to the colorful iMacs and the Gen Z aesthetic. It will reportedly use the A18 Pro chip, bringing a unique fusion of smartphone power and laptop portability. By leveraging iPhone chips, Apple may be aiming to reduce manufacturing costs while maintaining a solid user experience for casual computing needs.

In related news, Kuo also reports that Apple is doubling down on head-mounted wearables. The company is currently developing at least seven smart headsets across two major product lines. Among them are sleek, Ray-Ban-style smart glasses set for a 2027 debut. These wearables won’t include displays but will feature advanced sensors, voice control, gesture recognition, and camera integration — all boosted by AI.

With a mass production target for Q2 2027, Apple aims to ship 3 to 5 million units of these smart glasses in their first year, aiming to grow total smart glasses market shipments to over 10 million. This positions Apple not only to compete with Meta’s Ray-Ban smart glasses but potentially dominate a market still in its infancy.

What Undercode Say:

Apple’s strategy of blending its iPhone silicon into a MacBook body isn’t just cost-cutting — it’s a quiet revolution. The A18 Pro chip is optimized for power efficiency and AI capabilities, and if properly tuned for macOS, it could provide sufficient horsepower for basic productivity tasks like web browsing, video streaming, and document editing. This could carve out a new niche for ultra-light, battery-efficient MacBooks that sit below the M-series lineup.

This also marks a philosophical shift for Apple. Historically, the Mac has been reserved for Intel (and now M-series) chips, distinguishing it from the iPhone. By crossing these boundaries, Apple hints at a unifying vision: a fluid ecosystem where the chip distinction matters less than the experience. For students, casual users, and price-sensitive markets, this could be Apple’s Chromebook killer.

On the flip side, running macOS on an iPhone chip might raise compatibility questions. Will legacy apps work? Will it feel more like an iPad with a keyboard than a true Mac? Apple will need to clearly define where this machine sits in the broader lineup to avoid cannibalizing the MacBook Air.

Meanwhile, Apple’s ambition in smart glasses signals a serious bet on the post-iPhone future. The 2027 launch of AI-powered, display-free glasses aligns with growing interest in ambient computing — where devices fade into the background but remain context-aware and helpful. Apple may be deliberately avoiding clunky displays to focus on voice and sensor-based interactions, especially in a world saturated with screens.

This minimalist approach contrasts sharply with devices like the Apple Vision Pro, which are immersive and visually rich. The Ray-Ban-style glasses represent the opposite end: lightweight, social, always-on computing. Think of it as Siri with eyes — and spatial awareness.

Together, the budget MacBook and smart glasses indicate a broader realignment in Apple’s hardware roadmap: modular computing with differentiated use cases. Whether this becomes the next iPhone-level success or fizzles like the iPod Hi-Fi will depend on how well Apple can thread the needle between innovation and user utility.

🔍 Fact Checker Results

✅ Ming-Chi Kuo is a well-known Apple analyst with a strong track record of accurate hardware predictions.
✅ Apple has used iPhone-class chips (like A12Z) in iPads before, though not in MacBooks — this would be a first.
✅ Apple’s Vision Pro proves their commitment to wearables, and smart glasses are consistent with their long-term roadmap.

📊 Prediction:

Apple’s affordable MacBook will likely succeed — but not because it’s the most powerful device. Its success will hinge on pricing, battery life, and ecosystem integration. Expect students, casual users, and secondary-device buyers to flock to it if priced under \$799.

The smart glasses, meanwhile, will face steeper adoption curves. However, by removing the display and focusing on interaction, Apple could sidestep many challenges facing AR wearables. If they nail voice and gesture UX, these glasses may slowly become the AirPods of 2027 — starting as a niche accessory and ending up mainstream.