Apple’s first half of 2026 could be packed: M5 MacBook Pros, iPhone 17e, M4 iPads, and more
Apple is quietly lining up a busy start to 2026. While the company typically saves its major hardware fireworks for the fall, a report by Bloomberg suggests several key products could arrive in the first half of next year, continuing the staggered launch pattern it began post-COVID. Here’s what might be in store:
M5 MacBook Pro (14- and 16-inch) Apple’s next-generation MacBook Pros, powered by the M5 chip, could drop earlier than expected — possibly Q1 2026, mirroring the early 2023 M2 Pro and Max rollout.
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iPhone 17e Apple seems to have locked into an annual schedule for its lower-cost iPhone line — now dubbed the “e” series. The upcoming iPhone 17e will likely mirror the design of the 16e but swap in an A19 chip for performance parity with the main iPhone 17 series.
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New entry-level iPad The current $349 iPad is set to get a refresh. While it’s unclear whether Apple will tweak the design or simply bump the processor, the goal is clear: maintain the budget-friendly tablet at the low end of the lineup as iPads become increasingly stratified.
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iPad Air with M4 The 11-inch and 13-inch iPad Air models will reportedly upgrade to the M4 chip, keeping them one step behind the iPad Pro but still very capable. These models are ideal for users who want Mac-level performance without splurging on OLED or Magic Keyboard
New external display Three years after the Apple Studio Display, a new external monitor is reportedly in the works. While details are still under wraps, expect improved HDR capabilities, better integration with Apple Silicon Macs, and possibly even a Pro Display XDR-lite tier aimed at serious creators.
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