Apple Inc. (AAPL.US) 2026 Spring Offensive Exposed: MacBook Pro leads, iPhone 17e is coming with multiple iPads.

Apple Inc. (AAPL.US) is planning to release a series of ambitious new products in the first half of 2026, including a new low-end iPhone, multiple iPads, and upgraded Mac computers. According to sources familiar with the matter, this product line will be unveiled in the spring of next year, covering entry-level iPads, updated versions of the iPad Air, and external Mac monitors. The affordable phone named iPhone 17e will be a follow-up product to the $599 model introduced by Apple Inc. earlier this year. Sources indicate that Apple Inc. is also developing upgraded versions of the MacBook Pro and MacBook Air. Although these computers were originally scheduled for release in 2025, Apple Inc. is considering delaying the launch until 2026. This wave of new products aims to boost continued growth momentum following the release of the iPhone this fall. After experiencing a surge in sales at the beginning of the pandemic, Apple Inc. has faced fluctuations in demand over the past two years. The slowing pace of new product releases, including the iPad, has exacerbated this decline. An Apple Inc. spokesperson declined to comment on this. The intensive product release in early 2026 will continue the typical upgrade cycle seen by Apple Inc. in the fall of this year. The company plans to introduce a new thin and light iPhone 17, redesigned Pro models, new entry-level and high-end Apple Watches, upgraded iPad Pros, and a more powerful Vision Pro headset. The upcoming entry-level iPad (codenamed J581/J582) and iPad Air (codenamed J707/J708/J737/J738) will be rapidly iterated upon following last year's launch in March. Apple Inc. plans to release a new product to replace the current $349 entry-level iPad in March-April next year, which will have the same look but a faster chip -- the current model uses the A16 processor introduced in 2022. The new iPad Air will upgrade from the M3 chip to the M4, with limited changes. Although the development process is faster, it is expected to be released simultaneously with the entry-level model. This mid-range tablet has been selling well since the 13-inch version was introduced in 2024, featuring iPad Pro-level screens at a price of $800, which has been well received by consumers, businesses, and schools. The iPad Pro is expected to feature an M5 chip upgrade (codenamed J817/J818/J820/J821) from as early as October this year, with a starting price of $999. This product has not been updated since May of last year. The design of the upcoming iPhone 17e will be similar to the 16e, but it will be equipped with the same A19 processor as the current iPhone 17 series (instead of the A18). This device, codenamed V159, is expected to be launched early next year, with the current model released in February of this year. The rapid iteration from 16e to 17e shows that Apple Inc. is adjusting the entry-level iPhone to an annual update cycle, which is a different strategy from before. The previous SE series has only been updated twice since its launch in 2016. Apple Inc. originally planned to release the 14/16-inch MacBook Pro with the M5 chip later this year (codenamed J714/J716), but the internal target has been adjusted to early next year, indicating that the current sales cycle will be slightly longer than usual. The specific timing is still uncertain -- since using its own chips, Apple Inc. has mostly released new MacBook Pros in October-November, with the exception of the M2 version (released in January 2023). The M5 version of the MacBook Pro will be the final version of the current design introduced in 2021, with future models adopting a new casing and transitioning to OLED screens. This high-contrast display technology has been used in the 2017 iPhone and 2024 iPad Pro. The new MacBook Air (codenamed J813/J815) is also set to be released in the first half of next year. Apple Inc. is also planning to release its first external monitor since the 2022 Studio Display (codenamed J427), tentatively scheduled for early 2026. In addition to its main products, Apple Inc. is still developing a smart home hub codenamed J490. The device was originally scheduled to be released in March of this year but was delayed due to the postponed new Siri voice function and is now expected to be launched in the first half of next year.