Apple has quietly cancelled the $999 MacBook Air with M4 chip that was widely expected in 2025. Instead, according to Ming-Chi Kuo and Bloomberg, Apple is preparing a new budget MacBook powered by the A18 Pro chip from iPhone 16 Pro — targeting a price of $699–$899 and launching in Q1 2026.

Confirmed: M4 MacBook Air Is Dead

The M4 MacBook Air (originally planned for March 2025 alongside the current model) has been completely scrapped. Apple cited:

• TSMC 2nm yield issues making M5 too expensive for $999 tier
• A18 Pro already offers 95% of M4 performance at lower cost
• Need for a true sub-$900 Mac for education and emerging markets

New Budget A18 Pro Mac vs Current M4 Air

2026 MacBook Lineup: The New Hierarchy

Why This Is a Game-Changer

• First Mac under $800 since 2017
• Full Apple Intelligence support at $699
• M-series becomes “Pro-only” branding
• Direct competition with Chromebooks and Windows Copilot+ PCs

Gzmato Black Friday Exclusive

Final Thought

By using the proven A18 Pro chip, Apple can deliver a full Apple Intelligence Mac for $699 — something impossible with M-series pricing. The M5 Air will come later, but the real winner in 2026 is affordability.

2026: The year everyone can finally afford a Mac.