Apple Reportedly Developing Affordable A18-Powered MacBook and Smart Glasses for 2026–2027

Apple is said to be preparing a more affordable MacBook powered by an A-series chip, alongside its long-rumored smart glasses, according to a new forecast from reliable analyst Ming-Chi Kuo of TF International Securities. These two projects could represent significant shifts in Apple’s device strategy—targeting mass-market pricing and AI-first wearables.

Affordable MacBook: A18 Pro, Colorful, and Coming by 2026

Kuo reports that Apple is aiming to release a lower-cost MacBook with the following specs:

• Mass production: Late 2025 or early 2026

• Processor: A18 Pro (the same chip family expected in 2024's iPhone 16 Pro)

• Display: Approximately 13 inches

• Colors: Silver, blue, pink, and yellow—suggesting a more playful, consumer-friendly positioning

This would be the first MacBook to use an A-series chip, rather than the M-series silicon that powers the rest of Apple’s Mac lineup. The move could lead to:

• Longer battery life

• Lower production costs

• Tighter integration with iOS-style apps and AI features

Apple reportedly hopes this model will help push MacBook shipments back to ~25 million units by 2026, with 5–7 million units expected to come from this new budget-friendly offering.

Apple Smart Glasses: Slim, Screenless, and AI-Powered

Kuo also reconfirms Apple’s plans to launch its first smart glasses in 2027, aligning with his previous timeline for head-mounted wearables. The glasses are expected to be:

• Display-free, meaning no AR visuals like the Vision Pro

• Focused on audio playback, camera, video recording, and environmental sensing

• Heavily integrated with Apple Intelligence, using a dedicated chip

This contrasts slightly with Mark Gurman’s report, which claimed Apple was accelerating the project for a possible 2026 launch. If Kuo is right, the 2027 glasses could be Apple’s first major mainstream wearable built around contextual AI, not visuals.

Everwin Precision: The Key Supplier Behind Both Projects

Kuo identifies Everwin Precision as the reference design partner and major supplier for:

• The affordable MacBook’s casing

• The frame structure of the smart glasses

Already known for supplying MacBook Pro parts, Everwin stands to benefit significantly as Apple broadens its hardware portfolio.

Why This Matters

These developments suggest Apple is:

• Exploring lower-cost Mac hardware to appeal to students and emerging markets

• Preparing to scale down wearables with less hardware and more on-device intelligence

• Pushing ahead with AI-first design strategies across all product lines

If both projects meet their timelines, 2026–2027 could be one of Apple’s most diversified product cycles since the early iPad era.

Bottom Line: Apple’s upcoming budget MacBook and screenless smart glasses mark a turning point. As Apple leans into AI and accessibility, these devices could become its most consumer-friendly and widely adopted new products in years.