Apple Spring 2026 Leaks: iPhone 17e Flops, $600 MacBook Shines

The 60Hz Insult: iPhone 17e Analysis

It is February 2026. You can currently purchase a budget Android phone for $200 that boasts a smooth 120Hz screen. Yet, if the latest leaks from Bloomberg and supply chain analysts hold water, Apple is about to ask you to pay $599 for a phone with a 60Hz display. Again.

The upcoming iPhone 17e appears to be a study in stubbornness. Reports suggest it will reuse the screen panels from the iPhone 14—tech that is now four years old. While the device allegedly packs significant internal upgrades, the external hardware feels outdated.

The lack of ProMotion or even a Dynamic Island makes this device feel like a relic before it even hits the shelves. We saw this story play out with the iPhone 16e; it was a “good enough” device that nobody bought at launch. The smart money waits, and the 17e seems destined for the same fate. Unless you desperately need the latest UWB chip for precise Find My tracking, there is zero reason to buy this at full retail price.

A $600 MacBook? Now We’re Talking

While the phone leaks are disappointing, the Mac rumors are genuinely interesting. The supply chain whispers point to a new, low-cost MacBook. We are talking about a sub-13-inch laptop priced around $600.

For students and writers, the projected power of this device is plenty. It represents a significant strategic shift for Apple’s entry-level computing.

High-End Updates: M5 Pro and Max

Meanwhile, the high-end MacBook Pros are getting the M5 Pro and M5 Max chips. The interesting twist here is customizability. The new online store design suggests you might finally be able to mix and match CPU and GPU cores more freely, rather than being locked into rigid pre-set configurations.

iPad’s Identity Crisis

The iPad updates sound painfully boring. Apple seems obsessed with getting the entire lineup “AI Ready,” but for the end user, this is largely invisible. Here is the breakdown of the expected refresh:

• Entry-level iPad: Gets the A18 chip.
• iPad Air: Gets the M4 chip.
• iPad Mini: Notably absent from the spring roster (likely pushed to late 2026).
• Display: No high-refresh-rate screens on non-Pro iPads. Keep dreaming; it is not happening this time.

That is it. That is the update.

The AI Vaporware Finally Arrives

We have been hearing about “AI Siri” for two years. It feels like a ghost story. But iOS 26.4 might finally make it real. The beta is scheduled for late February.

This version of Siri is supposed to handle complex, multi-step tasks across different apps. Imagine saying, “Send this photo to Mark and tell him I’ll be late,” and having it actually work. That sort of thing sounds great on paper. But we have learned to be skeptical of Apple’s software timelines. Until it is running on a device in my hand, it is just marketing.

Verdict: Hold Your Wallet