Apple to launch budget iPads, iPhone 17e, and more devices in few weeks

Source : INDIA TODAY NEWS

Apple is preparing to kick off 2026 with one of its busiest product cycles in recent years. Over the next few weeks, the company is expected to roll out a wave of new devices that span smartphones, tablets, laptops, and software updates. This early-year push is not just about refreshing existing products. It also shows how Apple is sharpening its focus on affordable hardware, enterprise users, and fast-growing markets where price and long-term support matter just as much as premium design. Here is everything we know so far.

Apple to launch budget iPads, iPhone 17e, and more devices in few weeks

iPhone 17e: familiar price, bigger upgrades

The first major launch is expected to be the iPhone 17e, which will replace last year’s iPhone 16e. While the phone will continue to sit at the lower end of Apple’s iPhone line-up, the changes inside are far from minor. The device is set to run on the A19 chip, the same processor used in the standard iPhone 17 models. This alone should bring a noticeable jump in performance and efficiency compared to its predecessor.

Another key upgrade is the addition of MagSafe charging, a feature that was missing from earlier “e” models. Apple is also moving the iPhone 17e to its latest in-house cellular and wireless chips, tightening its control over hardware and connectivity. Despite these upgrades, Apple is expected to keep the price unchanged at $599. The message here is simple: more features, same price.

Apple plans to promote the iPhone 17e heavily in emerging markets and among enterprise customers. With rivals focusing either on premium phones or making only small changes to their budget models, Apple sees an opportunity to push a more capable device at a stable price point. The leaks suggest that the launch event could be by the end of February.

iPads get faster, not flashier

Alongside the new iPhone, Apple is lining up refreshed iPads, including an updated entry-level model and new iPad Air variants. Anyone expecting a fresh look may be disappointed, as the changes are largely under the hood. The base iPad is expected to move to the A18 chip, while the iPad Air will jump to the M4 processor.

The A18 upgrade is especially important because it brings Apple Intelligence support to the entry-level iPad for the first time. Apple is expected to make this a central part of its marketing, positioning the tablet as a smarter and more capable device for everyday work, study, and office use.

One exception in the iPad line-up is the iPad mini, which is expected to move to an OLED display, offering better contrast and colour compared to current models.

Macs: from M5 chips to a cheaper MacBook

Apple’s Mac line-up is also due for a refresh. New 14-inch and 16-inch MacBook Pros are expected, along with a MacBook Air powered by the upcoming M5 processor. Updated Mac Studio desktops are also in the pipeline, followed by a refreshed Studio Display that will look similar to the current version.

Perhaps the most interesting Mac launch in the first half of the year is a low-cost MacBook. Featuring a screen under 13 inches and powered by an iPhone-class chip, this model is designed to compete directly with affordable Windows laptops and Chromebooks. Apple sees this as an easy entry point for new users and organisations that want macOS without paying premium prices.

Software updates running in parallel

Hardware is only part of Apple’s early-2026 plans. The company is preparing to release iOS 26.4 in the coming weeks, which is expected to include parts of the long-awaited Siri upgrade. The first developer beta is likely to arrive in the last week of February.

While Apple will share more details at its Worldwide Developers Conference in June, this year’s event is expected to be quieter than usual. Beyond a more personalised Siri with chatbot-like features, Apple’s attention is turning to performance improvements, bug fixes, and cleaning up older parts of its software in future releases.

What comes later in 2026

The current launch wave is just the beginning. In the second half of the year, Apple is expected to introduce its first foldable iPhone, followed by the iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max. On the Mac side, a major change is also on the way, with a MacBook Pro that features an OLED display and touch support, something Apple has resisted for years.

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SOURCE :- TIMES OF INDIA