Apple's First Wave of 2026 Products: Radical M5 MacBooks and a Game-Changing Budget Model

Apple's first new products of the year are expected to be announced as early as the end of this month. Following its tradition of spring Mac releases, predictions from MacWorld suggest Apple could launch new M5 Pro and M5 Max MacBook Pro models, along with the long-rumored "budget MacBook," around January 28th.


Apple's First Wave of 2026 Products: Radical M5 MacBooks and a Game-Changing Budget Model

 

Why January 28th? This date coincides with the official launch of the Apple Creator Studio suite, making it a perfect complementary release. New MacBook Pro buyers could conveniently purchase the software suite alongside their new hardware. Furthermore, this date falls on a Wednesday, which aligns with Apple's recent release pattern for MacBook and iPad products.


Apple's First Wave of 2026 Products: Radical M5 MacBooks and a Game-Changing Budget Model

 

M5 Pro and M5 Max: The Biggest Change in M-Series Chip History

The upcoming M5 Pro and M5 Max MacBook Pro models are expected to retain the same external design as their predecessors, available in 14-inch and 16-inch sizes, with the primary upgrade being the new chips. Based on the already-released M5, the entire M5 family's most significant enhancement lies in its GPU capabilities, showing a 35%-50% graphics performance boost over the M4. MacWorld predicts that if the M5 Max achieves a similar leap, its Geekbench 6 GPU score could surpass that of the 80-core M3 Ultra. More importantly, analyst Ming-Chi Kuo suggests the M5 Pro and M5 Max will use TSMC's new "SoIC-MH" packaging technology, which could separate the CPU and GPU into distinct areas. This architectural shift would allow Apple more flexibility in configuring core counts, potentially improving chip yields, thermal performance, and memory bandwidth.

Affordable MacBook: When Apple Computers Become More Cost-Effective

The highly anticipated affordable MacBook is also expected to debut early this year. This model will reportedly feature an A18 Pro chip—the same series as in the iPhone—and be priced around $600. With a screen size rumored to be slightly smaller at 12.9 inches, its performance is said to surpass the M1 MacBook Air. This device is positioned to replace the beloved M1 Air, offering an accessible entry point into the Mac ecosystem for students, light office work, and casual creators. The combination of a low entry price, potentially around 3,000 yuan after discounts, and the power of macOS could attract a significant number of new users who have been curious about Mac but deterred by the cost.


Apple's First Wave of 2026 Products: Radical M5 MacBooks and a Game-Changing Budget Model

 

Apple Displays: High Refresh Rates and iPhone 17 Performance

Beyond MacBooks, Apple's display lineup is due for an update. A new model, likely the Studio Display 2 or Pro Display XDR 2, has been spotted in regulatory databases. The new Studio Display is expected to feature a 27-inch Mini-LED panel with ProMotion technology for variable refresh rates up to 120Hz. Powering these new displays will be an A19 chip—the same series destined for the iPhone 17—enabling advanced features like Center Stage and Spatial Audio. Interestingly, Apple may also be developing a lightweight smart home system for the display, allowing it to function independently for tasks like photo slideshows and music playback without being connected to a computer.

Other Apple Spring Products

In addition to the major Mac releases, Apple's spring lineup could include several other updates. The iPhone 17e is expected to gain features like Dynamic Island and MagSafe. The M5 MacBook Air will likely receive a standard chip upgrade. A new Mac Studio could jump directly to an M5 Ultra chip, potentially featuring a new design. Finally, the iPad 12 is rumored to get an A18 processor, bringing AI capabilities to the entry-level model, while the iPad Air will be updated to the M4 chip. However, both new iPads are expected to retain their 60Hz displays.


Beyond MacBooks, Apple's display lineup is due for an update. A new model, likely the Studio Display 2 or Pro Display XDR 2, has been spotted in regulatory databases. The new Studio Display is expected to feature a 27-inch Mini-LED panel with ProMotion technology for variable refresh rates up to 120Hz. Powering these new displays will be an A19 chip—the same series destined for the iPhone 17—enabling advanced features like Center Stage and Spatial Audio. Interestingly, Apple may also be developing a lightweight smart home system for the display, allowing it to function independently for tasks like photo slideshows and music playback without being connected to a computer.

 

A Tough Year for PCs, But Apple is Ready

While the broader PC market faces slow growth, Apple's Mac division has been a consistent performer. However, with competitors like Qualcomm and Intel closing the gap in performance and efficiency, Apple must innovate to maintain its edge. Its strategy appears to be a two-pronged attack: the affordable A18 Pro-powered MacBook targets the entry-level market, while the high-end M5 Pro/Max MacBook Pro pushes performance boundaries with a new chip architecture. Later in the year, the M6 MacBook Pro may introduce new form factors, including a thinner design and a touchscreen. Bolstered by its exclusive software ecosystem, like the new Apple Creator Studio, Apple is not just defending its position but aggressively expanding it by making its powerful creative tools more accessible than ever.

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