Apple just unleashed a wave of new products at its March 2026 event. Skipping the traditional keynote, the company opted for a series of press releases and hands-on experiences in New York, London, and Shanghai. The result: six new products spanning from an affordable iPhone to the cheapest MacBook Apple has ever made. Pre-orders open March 4, availability March 11.
iPhone 17e: the affordable iPhone with A19 chip
The new iPhone 17e replaces the iPhone 16e with significant upgrades. In my experience testing Apple's "e" lineup, this model finally closes the gap with Pro models in the areas that matter most.
| Spec | iPhone 16e | iPhone 17e |
|---|---|---|
| Chip | A18 | A19 (3nm) |
| Modem | C1 | C1X (2x faster) |
| Display | 6.1" OLED | 6.1" Super Retina XDR OLED |
| Camera | 48MP | 48MP Fusion + 2x telephoto |
| Base Storage | 128GB | 256GB (doubled) |
| Wireless Charging | 7.5W | 15W MagSafe/Qi2 |
| Protection | Ceramic Shield | Ceramic Shield 2 (3x better) |
| Price | $599 | $599 (same price, double storage) |
The highlight: it includes Apple Intelligence with Live Translation, Call Screening, Visual Intelligence, and Hold Assist. Available colors: black, white, and soft pink with a premium matte finish. It supports MagSafe and Qi2 at 15W, double its predecessor.
MacBook Neo: the cheapest Mac laptop ever
The big surprise. Apple accidentally posted regulatory documents revealing the MacBook Neo (Model A3404), a new MacBook positioned below the MacBook Air. After following the rumors for weeks, I can confirm it's real.
- Chip: A18 Pro (from iPhone 16 Pro) or A19 Pro — performance similar to M1
- RAM: 8GB
- Display: ~13 inches
- Ports: 2x USB-C + MagSafe
- Wi-Fi 7 included
- Colors: Yellow, green, blue, and pink
- Estimated Price: $599-$799
The official announcement is expected at the March 4 hands-on events. Apple internally describes it as "incredible value."
MacBook Air M5: more power for $100 more
The new MacBook Air with M5 chip brings substantial upgrades:
- AI up to 4x faster than M4
- GPU up to 3.5x faster than M4
- 512GB base storage (was 256GB)
- 16GB RAM standard
- N1 chip with Wi-Fi 7 and Bluetooth 6
- Supports two external displays
- Up to 18 hours battery life
- Price: starting at $1,099 (was $999)
MacBook Pro M5 Pro and M5 Max: Fusion Architecture
The new MacBook Pro models feature the revolutionary "Fusion Architecture" combining two 3nm CPU and GPU dies:
| Model | CPU | GPU | Max RAM | Starting Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 14" M5 Pro | 18 cores | 20 cores | 64GB | $2,199 |
| 16" M5 Pro | 18 cores | 20 cores | 64GB | $2,699 |
| 14" M5 Max | 18 cores | 40 cores | 128GB | $3,599 |
| 16" M5 Max | 18 cores | 40 cores | 128GB | $3,899 |
Studio Display and Studio Display XDR
Apple refreshed the Studio Display ($1,599) with Thunderbolt 5 and 96W charging. The all-new Studio Display XDR ($3,299) arrives with mini-LED, 2,000 nits HDR, 120Hz, and 1,000,000:1 contrast — replacing the Pro Display XDR at a lower price.
Common issues
I can't pre-order yet
Pre-orders open March 4. If the website crashes, use the Apple Store app which tends to work better during launches.
Is the MacBook Air M5 worth it if I have the M4?
Only if you need AI performance (4x faster) or the improved GPU (3.5x). For general use, the M4 is still excellent. I've been using the M4 for a while and for everyday tasks you won't notice a difference.
MacBook Neo or MacBook Air?
The Neo is for students and basic use (web, documents, streaming). If you need more power for development or editing, the Air M5 is a better investment.
