Apple's Fall Product Lineup: A Mac-Free Zone?

Apple is set to unveil its fall product lineup, but the Mac is noticeably absent from the list. Despite new hardware coming in various categories, including iPhones, Apple Watches, AirPods, and iPads, there is no mention of any new Macs. The M5 MacBook Pro and new Mac Pro are expected in early 2026.

Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL) is poised to unveil its fall product lineup, with a notable absence of new Macs. The tech giant is expected to focus on iPhones, Apple Watches, AirPods, and iPads, while the MacBook Pro and Mac Pro with new hardware are slated for early 2026.

According to a report by South Korean outlet ETNews [1], Apple will skip the launch of its base model iPhone in 2026, opting instead to save the spotlight for its first-ever foldable smartphone. The foldable device is expected to debut in the fall alongside the iPhone 18 Air, 18 Pro, and 18 Pro Max. The company will debut its budget-friendly iPhone 17e during the first half of 2026, with the basic iPhone 18 scheduled for 2027. This strategic shift marks a departure from Apple's traditional annual cycle, where the primary models are introduced in the spring and flagships in the fall.

The focus on iPhones and iPads is likely driven by the company's growing reliance on its Services segment, which has become a primary growth catalyst. Apple is aiming to deliver sustained double-digit growth, peak margins, and resilience against macroeconomic pressures. The company's strategy is to prioritize its most profitable and high-margin products, which are often the iPhone and iPad lines.

The absence of new Macs in the fall lineup suggests that Apple is prioritizing its other product lines. The company is expected to release new MacBook Pro models with the M5 chip in late 2025 [2]. The new MacBook Pro will feature a chip refresh offering 15–25% performance gains over the M4 3. Additionally, the Mac Studio with Thunderbolt 5 adoption is also expected in 2025 [2].

Apple is also reportedly testing both a variant with the M5 and one with the M5 Pro for the Mac mini [3]. The Mac mini with M5 is expected to be called J873g, while the Pro version will be J873s. The new Mac mini models are expected to offer improvements in performance and energy consumption, with the M5 Pro models potentially featuring TSMC's "System on Integrated Chips" (SoIC) kit.

In conclusion, Apple's strategic product launch schedule for the fall focuses on iPhones, Apple Watches, AirPods, and iPads. The MacBook Pro and Mac Pro with new hardware are expected in early 2026, suggesting that Apple is prioritizing its most profitable and high-margin product lines.

References:
[1] https://finance.yahoo.com/news/no-iphone-2026-apple-bets-052224507.html
[2] https://www.accio.com/business/trending-pc-mac-pro-2025
[3] https://www.heise.de/en/news/Mac-mini-with-M5-Apple-allegedly-already-busy-testing-10549900.html