Apple's 2026 Devices: From Budget-Friendly to Extreme

Summary

Apple's 2026 product lineup introduces some surprising shifts, particularly with a new $599 MacBook Neo, the most affordable entry into Apple's laptop range. Despite its price, the Neo boasts an aluminum build, a solid hinge, and a good keyboard and trackpad. However, compromises include a non-backlit keyboard, a phone-grade A18 Pro chip, slower SSD, and half the RAM compared to the MacBook Air, making it less agile for multitasking. This strategy allows the MacBook Air to shift upwards in price to $1099, now starting with 512GB of storage and an M5 chip, positioning it as the most recommendable all-rounder. Meanwhile, the top-tier MacBook Pros get even more extreme with M5 Pro and M5 Max chips, up to four times AI performance, and double the storage to 1TB, though pricing is significantly higher and performance claims can be misleading. The iPad Air also receives an M4 chip and increased RAM, maintaining its $599 price point but with an unchanged storage starting point. Apple also unveiled two new displays: the $1600 Studio Display with updated ports and camera, and the $3299 Studio Display XDR for professionals, featuring a 120Hz mini-LED screen but in a smaller 27-inch size than its predecessor. Finally, the iPhone 17e offers doubled storage to 256GB for $599, featuring the A19 chip and improved charging, though it retains thick bezels and a notch, with dated cameras. This model is positioned for business users prioritizing durability and storage over flash.