Apple Reportedly Readies iPhone 17e, New-Gen iPads and MacBooks for Early 2026 Release
‘Bloomberg’s’ Mark Gurman reveals a massive hardware rollout, headlined by an AI-capable budget iPhone and a long-awaited Siri overhaul.
Summary
- Apple is reportedly preparing to launch the iPhone 17e as soon as February 19, featuring the flagship A19 chip and the addition of MagSafe connectivity
- The entry-level 12th-generation iPad will receive the A18 processor, enabling support for Apple Intelligence for the first time on the base model
- iOS 26.4, expected to enter developer beta by February 23, will debut a major Siri upgrade with a conversational chatbot-style interface and deeper contextual understanding
Apple is gearing up for one of its most consequential hardware seasons in years, with a flurry of releases slated for early 2026. According to Bloomberg‘s Mark Gurman, the company is centering its spring strategy on the iPhone 17e, alongside performance-focused updates to the iPad and iPad Air. This rollout aims to broaden the reach of Apple Intelligence across the entire product portfolio, bringing flagship-level AI capabilities to entry-level and enterprise-focused segments for the first time.
The iPhone 17e serves as the centerpiece of this refresh, succeeding the previous year’s 16e model while maintaining a $599 USD starting price. Internal upgrades are substantial, with the device expected to adopt the A19 chip from the flagship iPhone 17 series alongside Apple’s first in-house cellular modem and wireless connectivity chips. Critically, the 17e will finally add MagSafe support, addressing a major omission from the previous budget generation.
The iPad lineup will see “spec-bump” refreshes that prioritize processing power over design overhauls. The 12th-generation iPad is transitioning to the A18 chip, a move specifically intended to run Apple Intelligence features for enterprise and education users. Simultaneously, the 8th-generation iPad Air will be upgraded to the M4 processor. These hardware updates will coincide with the release of iOS 26.4, which introduces a redesigned Siri featuring natural conversational abilities and a personalized interface.
For the Mac, a hardware announcement is potentially arriving as early as the week of March 2. This update is expected to include new 14-inch and 16-inch MacBook Pro models powered by M5 Pro and M5 Max chips, coinciding with the launch of macOS Tahoe 26.3. A new MacBook Air with the standard M5 chip and a potential low-cost MacBook for the education market are also reportedly in the pipeline.
Stay tuned for official release details.
