Insiders: Apple is preparing a budget MacBook and two versions of AirPods 4

Two well-known analysts and insiders shared details about Apple's upcoming releases.

The most affordable MacBook

Ming-chi Kuo (KGI Securities Analyst) toldthat the company is developing a new budget MacBook that will be positioned outside the existing Air and Pro lines. This should help stem the decline in demand for MacBooks and boost sales to 8-10 million a year.

Apple will have to make design changes to make the new model cheaper. They won’t give up the metal case, since this is an important design feature of all Macs, but the metal itself could be cheaper - for example, the same aluminum, but less durable.

It is possible that this MacBook will be 12-inch, like the base MacBooks that were discontinued in 2019. Rumors about the return of this size have been circulating for several years. Inside, of course, there will be an Apple Silicon chip, but it is unknown what generation.

Initially, they wanted to introduce the new MacBook at the end of 2023, but plans changed at the beginning of the year, and it was pushed back to 2024.

AirPods 4 and AirPods Max

Bloomberg's Mark Gurman toldwhich headphones Apple will release in 2024. The most anticipated new product will be AirPods 4, which will be released in two versions. One version will receive active noise reduction (which was previously only available in the Pro and Max models) and the ability to search for the case through the “Locator”, the second will be released without both of these functions.

The two versions of AirPods 4 will be united by a new design - presumably without removable silicone ear pads, which will make ANC less effective than in AirPods Pro. Of course, both models will receive USB-C.

The base AirPods 4 are expected to replace the second generation, and the ANC version will replace the third. Prices will be approximately the same: $129 and $179, or slightly more expensive.

The top version of AirPods 4 will compete with the second-generation Pro model, but not for long - AirPods Pro 3 are expected in 2025 with a new design, chip and health tracking capabilities.

A second generation of AirPods Max is also expected. It will be released in 2024, but will be quite pass-through: only new colors and a USB-C connector will be added. Knowing Apple, you can expect a couple of software features, but don't expect a major update.