MacRumors

Apple CEO Tim Cook visited President Donald Trump at the White House over the weekend to attend the premier of "Melania," a documentary that's set to be released in the near future.

According to The Hollywood Reporter, several tech CEOs attended the screening, which also included a VIP dinner. Along with Cook, other attendees included Zoom CEO Eric Yuan, Amazon CEO Andy Jassy, Amazon chairman Jeff Bezos, and AMD CEO Lisa Su.

Films are typically screened in the East Wing of the White House, but since Trump tore it down for a 90,000 square foot ballroom, a makeshift theater was constructed for the event. Attendees were provided with framed tickets, copies of Melania Trump's memoir, and commemorative black and white popcorn boxes, provided by gloved waiters to avoid fingerprints.

Cook has been working to maintain a close relationship with Trump, and he visited the White House several times in 2025, in addition to meeting with Trump in Japan and at Davos. Apple also donated an unspecified amount toward Trump's ballroom project, and Cook presented Trump with a glass plaque that included a 24-karat gold base. Prior to when Trump took office, Cook personally donated $1 million to Trump's inauguration.

The Melania Trump documentary is set to debut in theaters on January 30, with a premiere set for January 29 at The Donald J. Trump and The John F. Kennedy Memorial Center for the Performing Arts. Amazon paid upwards of $40 million to fund the documentary, which tracks Melania from the 2025 presidential campaign to inauguration day. Director Brett Ratner reportedly spent months living at Mar-a-Lago to make the film.

"Melania" is Ratner's first directorial project since 2014 because he was accused of sexually assaulting six women back in 2017, and Warner Bros. cut ties with him.

Note: Due to the political or social nature of the discussion regarding this topic, the discussion thread is located in our Political News forum. All forum members and site visitors are welcome to read and follow the thread, but posting is limited to forum members with at least 100 posts.

Apple today provided the third beta of an upcoming macOS Tahoe 26.3 update to developers for testing purposes, with the update coming a little over a week after the launch of the second beta.

Developers can download the ‌macOS Tahoe‌ 26.3 update by opening up the System Settings app, selecting the General category, and then choosing Software Update. Beta Updates will need to be enabled, and a free developer account is required.

There's no word yet on what's included in ‌macOS Tahoe‌ 26.3, and no new features were found in the first two betas.

We'll likely see Apple release ‌macOS Tahoe‌ 26.3 at the end of January given past launch timelines.

Apple today seeded the third betas of upcoming iOS 26.3 and iPadOS 26.3 updates to developers for testing purposes, with the software coming a week after the release of the second betas.

Registered developers can download the betas from the Settings app on the iPhone or iPad by going to the General section and selecting the Software Update option.

iOS 26.3 adds a new tool for transitioning from an ‌iPhone‌ to an Android device. Transfers can be initiated during the device setup process, and moving data from one device to another can now be done without having to download a specific app.

Apple's transfer process supports moving photos, messages, notes, apps, passwords, phone number, and more.

The update also includes a Notification Forwarding setting for third-party wearables in the European Union, and there are some minor changes to the Weather wallpaper. More information on what's changed can be found in our iOS 26.3 beta 1 feature list.

Apple is expected to release the iOS 26.3 and iPadOS 26.3 to the public at the end of January.

Apple today provided developers with the third betas of upcoming watchOS 26.3, tvOS 26.3, and visionOS 26.3 betas for testing purposes. The software comes a week after Apple provided the second betas.

The software updates are available through the Settings app on each device, and because these are developer betas, a free developer account is required.

We don't know what new features might be added in watchOS 26.3, visionOS 26.3, and tvOS 26.3, and nothing new has been discovered so far. Apple doesn't typically provide release notes for betas, so we might not know what's new until the software updates see a public launch unless there are outward-facing changes.

The software updates will probably launch right around the end of January based on past release timelines.

Best Buy today kicked off a new 48-hour flash sale with sitewide discounts on a huge collection of products. This includes some notable markdowns on Apple products like the 11-inch iPad and AirPods Max, both of which are seeing their lowest prices of 2026 so far during this event.

Note: MacRumors is an affiliate partner with Best Buy. When you click a link and make a purchase, we may receive a small payment, which helps us keep the site running.

Specifically, you can get the AirPods Max for $429.99, down from $549.99, a deal that beats Amazon's current price by about $20 and is an overall solid second-best price. Even better, Best Buy has every color of the USB-C AirPods Max on sale at this price.

Best Buy also has Apple's 128GB Wi-Fi 11-inch iPad for $299.00, down from $349.00, as well as the 256GB Wi-Fi iPad for $399.00, down from $449.00. These are both second-best prices on the iPad, but some of the first markdowns on this model so far this year.

Finally for Apple deals, Best Buy has the previous generation Apple Watch Ultra 2 for $549.00 today only, a massive discount on the original price of $799.00. This includes both Natural and Black color options, and it's the best price we've ever seen on this model.

There are plenty of more deals to browse during this event, including up to 50 percent off select TVs, up to 60 percent off audio products, and more. If you're on the hunt for more discounts, be sure to visit our Apple Deals roundup where we recap the best Apple-related bargains of the past week.

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Apple offers a Share Item Location feature in the Find My app that allows you to temporarily share the location of an AirTag-equipped item with others, including employees at participating airlines. This way, if you put an AirTag inside your bags, the airline can better help you find them in the event they are lost or delayed at the airport.

Given that Apple announced the AirTag 2 today, we have resurfaced a list of airlines that support the feature, but keep in mind that it also works with the original AirTag and third-party trackers with Find My support, such as those sold by Chipolo and Pebblebee.

Below, we have listed most of the airlines that support the feature:

• AJet
• Aer Lingus
• Air Canada
• Air France
• Air India
• Air New Zealand
• American Airlines
• Austrian Airlines
• Breeze Airways
• British Airways
• Brussels Airlines
• Cathay Pacific
• Condor
• Copa Airlines
• China Airlines
• Delta
• Eurowings
• Finnair
• Flair Airlines
• Iberia
• JetBlue
• KLM
• LATAM Airlines
• Lufthansa
• Pegasus Airlines
• Porter Airlines
• Qantas
• Saudia
• Singapore Airlines
• SunExpress
• SWISS
• Turkish Airlines
• United
• Virgin Atlantic
• Vueling
• WestJet

In its AirTag 2 press release, Apple said it has partnered with more than 50 airlines, so there should be around 15 more that support the feature soon.

How to Use the Feature

iPhone, iPad, and Mac users can generate a "Share Item Location" link in the Find My app. Anyone they share the link with can then view a web page with a location of the item on a map. The page will automatically update with the item's latest known location.

The item's location stops being shared "as soon as a user is reunited with their item," or automatically expires after seven days.

On the iPhone, the feature was introduced on iOS 18.2, but Apple says the AirTag 2 requires an iPhone running iOS 26.2.1 or later. If you are still running iOS 18.2 through iOS 18.7.4, you will need to use the original AirTag or a supported third-party tracker.

AirTag 2: Hands-On Photos

From the Tray Table's Zach Griff has shared some AirTag 2 hands-on photos.

Apple today released watchOS 26.2.1, a minor update to the watchOS 26 update that came out last year. watchOS 26.2.1 comes six weeks after Apple released watchOS 26.2.

watchOS 26.2.1 can be downloaded for free on an iPhone running iOS 26.2.1 by opening up the Apple Watch app and going to General > Software Update, or initiating an update in the Settings app on the watch. To install the new software, the Apple Watch needs to have at least 50 percent battery and it needs to be placed on a charger.

Today's update enables Precision Finding for the new AirTag 2 on the Apple Watch Series 9 and later and the Apple Watch Ultra 2 and later. Prior to now, Precision Finding for the AirTag has been limited to the ‌iPhone‌.

It is not yet clear if the update enables Precision Finding on Apple Watch for the original ‌AirTag‌, or if this is a feature limited to the new ‌AirTag‌ 2.

According to Apple's release notes, watchOS 26.2.1 also includes unspecified bug fixes.

Apple today released iOS 26.2.1 and iPadOS 26.2.1, minor updates to the iOS 26 and iPadOS 26 operating systems. The new software comes a month after Apple released iOS 26.2 and iPadOS 26.2.

The new software can be downloaded on eligible iPhones and iPads over-the-air by going to Settings > General > Software Update.

iOS 26.2.1 adds support for the next-generation AirTag that Apple introduced today. The AirTag 2 features a second-generation Ultra Wideband chip, improving the Precision Finding feature.

The update also includes unspecified bug fixes, according to Apple's release notes.

Apple also released iOS 18.7.4, iOS 16.7.13, iOS 15.8.6, and iOS 12.5.8 for older iPhones unable to run ‌iOS 26‌.

Apple is developing a much thinner Face ID hardware module in an effort to reduce the space its facial authentication system takes up in the iPhone Air, a known leaker on China's Weibo social media platform today suggested.

According to Instant Digital, Apple has requested an "ultra-thin" Face ID component from suppliers that will allow the device to accommodate an ultra wide-angle lens in addition to the existing single main lens.

A redesign that includes a second camera is said to be one way that Apple thinks it can address user complaints that the iPhone Air, while an impressive design feat, has led to too many hardware compromises, especially given the $999 price tag.

Multiple technologies are housed in the plateau of the iPhone Air to maximize space for the battery, so Apple would presumably need to redesign the internals considerably to fit in another camera. Chinese leaker Digital Chat Station in November said Apple was focusing on making the device ultra-thin and lightweight in order to do just that.

The claim was soon followed by a report by The Information suggesting a second camera for the device was indeed in development.

For its rumored upcoming foldable iPhone, expected later this year, Apple has reportedly chosen to integrate Touch ID into the side button, rather than use Face ID, in order to make the device as slim as possible. Designing a smaller TrueDepth camera system could arguably see a next-generation model switch over to facial authentication.

Today's leaker speculates that an ultra-thin Face ID module could even eventually find its way into a MacBook, but there are no active rumors that indicate this is something Apple is working on.

In 2022, Bloomberg's Mark Gurman said Apple tested Face ID for the iMac, but the technology necessary to embed the authentication hardware into a thin notebook display simply wasn't available, and the biometric system has yet to be added to any Mac.

Around the same time, a marketing employee for Apple argued that Touch ID is more convenient, since the button is near your hands. Of course, that does not rule out the possibility of Apple adding Face ID to a Mac in the future.

The latest claim doesn't point to any imminent product changes – the second-generation iPhone Air is not expected until next year – but it does suggest Apple is actively reassessing how its Face ID hardware is packaged. Watch this space.

The new AirTag that Apple unveiled today features a second-generation Ultra Wideband chip, enabling the Precision Finding feature to work up to 50% farther away from an item compared to the previous AirTag, according to Apple. However, you need a compatible iPhone model in order to take advantage of this improvement.

The improved Precision Finding requires one of these iPhone models:

• iPhone 15
• iPhone 15 Plus
• iPhone 15 Pro
• iPhone 15 Pro Max
• iPhone 16
• iPhone 16 Plus
• iPhone 16 Pro
• iPhone 16 Pro Max
• iPhone 17
• iPhone 17 Pro
• iPhone 17 Pro Max
• iPhone Air

Precision Finding at longer distances is limited to the iPhone models listed above because both the AirTag and the iPhone need Apple's second-generation Ultra Wideband chip, which was introduced starting with the iPhone 15 series.

Note that the lower-end iPhone 16e does not have a second-generation Ultra Wideband chip.

Precision Finding at the previous distances is still supported on the iPhone 11 and newer.

Precision Finding can lead you to the exact location of an item with an AirTag attached to it, by showing you a directional arrow and your distance away from the item on your iPhone's screen. Starting with watchOS 26.2.1, you can also use Precision Finding on an Apple Watch Series 9 and later or Apple Watch Ultra 2 and later to find an AirTag 2.

Precision Finding on the Apple Watch does not work with the original AirTag.

The new AirTag also has an upgraded Bluetooth chip for improved overall range outside of Precision Finding mode, with an iPhone 11 or newer.

The new AirTag is available to order on Apple.com and in the Apple Store app starting today, and it will be available at Apple Store locations later this week. In the U.S., pricing remains set at $29 for one AirTag and at $99 for four.

Apple considered introducing a new Apple Intelligence feature that would dynamically re-arrange apps on the Home Screen.

The detail emerged in a report last week from The Information, which said that subordinates of software chief Craig Federighi approached him with proposals for an AI-powered iPhone ‌Home Screen‌. The feature would dynamically change the locations of apps on the ‌Home Screen‌ according to users' needs. Federighi reportedly rejected the idea, believing that it would disorient users, many of whom rely on knowing the fixed location of apps on their ‌Home Screen‌ for quick access.

With iOS 26, Apple prioritized new ‌Apple Intelligence‌ features that included Live Translation, more powerful Visual Intelligence, ChatGPT image generation in Image Playground, and actions in Shortcuts. Broader and more capable ‌Apple Intelligence‌ features are expected to arrive later this year with iOS 27, such as a Siri chatbot powered by Google Gemini.

The rest of The Information's report focused on how Apple restructured its artificial intelligence strategy under Federighi, accelerating plans to overhaul Siri by relying on external AI models after years of internal delays and organizational friction.

Apple's AirTag 4-Pack is available for $69.99 today on Amazon, down from the original price of $99.00. Free shipping options have a delivery estimate around January 31, while Prime members should be able to get it delivered a few days sooner.

Note: MacRumors is an affiliate partner with Amazon. When you click a link and make a purchase, we may receive a small payment, which helps us keep the site running.

Overall, this is a solid second-best price on the AirTag 4-pack that's within $7 of the Amazon all-time low price, which we last tracked during the holiday season. We're not tracking any notable deals on the AirTag single pack right now.

Apple just announced a new model of the AirTag, which is set to feature longer range for item tracking, a louder speaker, and the same $99 price tag for a 4-Pack. The first generation model is still a solid Bluetooth tracker, particularly at Amazon's $29 discount this week.

If you're on the hunt for more discounts, be sure to visit our Apple Deals roundup where we recap the best Apple-related bargains of the past week.

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Apple today confirmed that iOS 26.2.1 and watchOS 26.2.1 are on the way. The updates will likely be released this week, so keep an eye out as early as today.

watchOS 26.2.1 was mentioned in Apple's press release for the new AirTag today, and iOS 26.2.1 is mentioned in fine print on the new AirTag's product page.

While these will be minor software updates, they do include a few things:

• The new AirTag requires an iPhone running iOS 26.2.1 or later, according to Apple.
• With watchOS 26.2.1, you can use Precision Finding on the Apple Watch Series 9 and later and Apple Watch Ultra 2 and later to find a second-generation AirTag. Precision Finding on the Apple Watch does not work with the original AirTag.

Here is what Precision Finding looks like on the Apple Watch:

Beyond that, iOS 26.2.1 might include bug fixes and/or patch security vulnerabilities.

Update: Apple has released iOS 26.2.1 and watchOS 26.2.1.

Apple today introduced the second-generation AirTag, with key features including longer range for tracking items and a louder speaker.

For those who are not familiar, the AirTag is a small accessory that you can attach to your backpack, keys, or other items. Then, you can track the location of those items in the Find My app on the iPhone, iPad, Mac, Apple Watch, and iCloud.com.

The new AirTag is equipped with a second-generation Ultra Wideband chip, enabling the Precision Finding feature to work up to 50% farther away from an item compared to the previous-generation model, according to Apple. The new AirTag also has an upgraded Bluetooth chip for improved overall range outside of Precision Finding mode.

With an updated internal design, the new AirTag features a 50% louder speaker compared to the previous-generation model, according to Apple.

The external design of the AirTag has not changed, but its weight increased ever so slightly. The accessory continues to be powered by a CR2032 coin cell battery, and the new AirTag has the same IP67-rated water resistance as the original one. Like the previous model, Apple says the new AirTag offers "more than a year" of battery life.

Free personalized AirTag engraving remains available on Apple.com and in the Apple Store app.

The new AirTag is compatible with all existing AirTag accessories, including the FineWoven Key Ring, which still has the same design and color options.

The new AirTag requires an iPhone running iOS 26.2.1 or later, per Apple.

With the watchOS 26.2.1 update, Precision Finding on the Apple Watch Series 9 and later and Apple Watch Ultra 2 and later works with the second-generation AirTag. We have confirmed that this feature does not work with the original AirTag.

Precision Finding can lead you to the exact location of an item with an AirTag attached to it, by showing you a directional arrow and your distance away from the item on your iPhone's screen, and now it also works on the Apple Watch's screen.

The new AirTag is available to order on Apple.com and in the Apple Store app starting today, and it will be available at Apple Store locations later this week. In the U.S., pricing remains set at $29 for an individual AirTag, while a four pack continues to cost $99.

Apple unveiled the AirTag in 2021, so there was nearly a five-year wait for a new model.

"Since the launch of AirTag in 2021, users from around the world have shared stories of being reunited with lost luggage, keys, bicycles, bags, and more," said Apple, in a press release. "With the help of AirTag placed inside an instrument case, a musician was able to locate their lost instrument and perform that evening, while another user was able to find lost luggage that contained a lifesaving medication."

Apple says the AirTag is the world's best-selling item tracking accessory. It competes with trackers from Tile, Samsung, Pebblebee, Chipolo, and others.

Apple today introduced a vibrant new Black Unity Apple Watch band called the "Unity Connection Braided Solo Loop."

The band features the colors of the Pan-African flag, containing multiple shades of red, green, and black. It is made by weaving recycled polyester yarn filaments around ultrathin silicone threads using precision-braiding machinery. It is soft with a textured feel, and is sweat and water resistant.

The Unity Connection Braided Solo Loop honors Black History Month and celebrates "the power of connection," according to Apple.

Aligned with this theme, Apple is proud to support organizations that inspire connection and promote creativity through impactful programs in under-resourced communities around the world. This includes grants to Boys & Girls Clubs of America, Urban Arts in New York City, Youth Music in London, Art Gallery of New South Wales in Sydney, and Enactus México in Mexico City. These new grants build upon Apple's long-standing commitment to advancing economic, educational, and creative opportunities in communities globally.

This band, along with previously released Black Unity bands, was designed by Black creatives and allies at Apple.

The new special edition band is available in 42mm and 46mm case sizes, in band sizes from zero to 12. It is available to order now, and will arrive at Apple Stores starting later this week. Apple continues to sell two other Black Unity bands: Unity Bloom and Unity Rhythm.

Note: Due to the political or social nature of the discussion regarding this topic, the discussion thread is located in our Political News forum. All forum members and site visitors are welcome to read and follow the thread, but posting is limited to forum members with at least 100 posts.

Strava appears to be rolling out full route navigation and mapping to its watchOS app, bringing the long-awaited functionality to runners, hikers, and cyclists with Apple Watch for the first time.

The feature, which remains in beta, allows users to select a pre-loaded route, view elevation details, and follow directions directly from their wrist without having to look at their iPhone. Strava users on Reddit noted the feature began appearing over the weekend.

Since this time last year, Strava users have been able to share an Apple Fitness+ workout directly to the Strava app, but the ability to get turn-by-turn directions on an outdoor walk/run or bike ride feels like more of a game-changer for users of the fitness service.

Both paying and non-paying Strava users currently seem to have access to the beta feature, but it's unclear whether it will be reserved for paying subscribers when finalized. Strava has yet to officially comment on the rollout.

2026 promises to be yet another busy year for Apple, with the company rumored to be planning more than 20 product announcements over the coming months.

Beyond the usual updates to iPhones, iPads, Macs, and Apple Watches, Apple is expected to release its all-new smart home hub, which was reportedly delayed until the more personalized version of Siri is ready. Other unique products rumored for this year include a foldable iPhone, a lower-cost MacBook with an A18 Pro chip, and more.

Here is what to expect from Apple this year, according to rumors.

First Half of 2026

The following products are rumored to launch before the end of June.

• iPhone 17e: A spec-bumped successor to the iPhone 16e, with rumored upgrades including an A19 chip, MagSafe, and a Dynamic Island.
• iPad Air: M3 chip → M4 chip.
• iPad: A16 chip → A18 chip or A19 chip.
• MacBook Pro: M4 Pro and M4 Max chips → M5 Pro and M5 Max chips, and PCIe 5.0 support for faster SSD speeds.
• MacBook Air: M4 chip → M5 chip.
• Lower-Cost MacBook: A18 Pro chip, 12.9-inch display, and fun color options.
• Mac Studio: M4 Max and M3 Ultra chips → M5 Max and M5 Ultra chips.
• Studio Display: Mini-LED backlighting, ProMotion support for up to a 120Hz refresh rate, HDR support, and either an A19 chip or A19 Pro chip.
• Home Hub: An all-new smart home hub featuring the more personalized version of Siri, a 6-inch to 7-inch square display, an A18 chip for Apple Intelligence, FaceTime, and more. Place it on a table or mount it on a wall.
• Security Camera: Apple-designed, HomeKit-enabled security camera accessory to be sold alongside the new smart home hub.

Second Half of 2026

The following products are rumored to launch between September and December.

• iPhone 18 Pro: A20 Pro chip, a narrower Dynamic Island, a simplified Camera Control, variable aperture for at least one rear camera, web browsing via satellite, Apple-designed C2 modem for 5G, and more.
• iPhone 18 Pro Max: The same features rumored for the iPhone 18 Pro, but the Pro Max model might be slightly thicker.
• Foldable iPhone: 7.7-inch inner display with a virtually "crease-free" design, 5.3-inch outer display, two rear cameras, one front camera, a Touch ID power button instead of Face ID, and more.
• Apple Watch Series 12: A new chip, design changes, and potentially Touch ID.
• Apple Watch Ultra 4: The same changes listed above for the Apple Watch Series 12.
• MacBook Pro: A major redesign later in 2026, with M6 Pro and M6 Max chips, an OLED display, a touch screen, a Dynamic Island, a thinner design, and an Apple-designed C2 modem for built-in cellular connectivity.
• Higher-End AirPods Pro 3: Infrared camera for AI features.

Timing Less Clear

These products are rumored to be unveiled at some point in 2026:

• Apple Glasses: Augmented reality glasses with speakers for music playback, cameras for photos and video, voice control, and potentially health features.
• Face ID Doorbell: A video doorbell with Face ID and HomeKit Secure Video, wirelessly connects to a compatible deadbolt lock.
• iPad mini: A17 Pro chip → A19 Pro or A20 Pro chip, an OLED display, a vibration-based speaker system, and a water-resistant design.
• Mac mini: M4 and M4 Pro chips → M5 and M5 Pro chips.

The following products were rumored to be updated in 2025, but none of them were, so hopefully they will finally arrive at some point in 2026:

• Apple TV: A17 Pro chip with support for the more personalized Siri, and Apple's N1 chip with Wi-Fi 7 support. A built-in FaceTime camera has been rumored for a future Apple TV, but it is unclear if that will arrive with the next model.
• HomePod mini: S9 chip or newer with support for the more personalized Siri, Apple's N1 chip with Wi-Fi 7 support, improved sound quality, a second-generation Ultra Wideband chip, and potentially new color options like red.

For more details, read our Upcoming Apple Products Guide: What's Coming in 2026.

Update: A new AirTag was initially included on this list, but it has now been removed, as Apple has officially announced the next-generation AirTag.

Apple plans to release new MacBook Pro, MacBook Air, Mac Studio, and Studio Display models in the first half of this year, according to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman.

In his Power On newsletter today, Gurman added that redesigned MacBook Pro models with an OLED touch screen "should be hitting toward the end of 2026," meaning that the MacBook Pro line would be upgraded twice this year.

First up will be MacBook Pro models with M5 Pro and M5 Max chips, which should be coming soon. Then, the MacBook Pro is expected to receive a major redesign in late 2026 (but 2027 is still not fully ruled out), with rumored features including an OLED touch screen, a Dynamic Island, M6 Pro and M6 Max chips, a thinner design, and built-in cellular connectivity.

Apple updated the MacBook Pro twice in one year in the past, with the M2 Pro and M2 Max models debuting in January 2023 and the M3 Pro and M3 Max models following in October 2023, so there is precedent for such a thing.

Apple's Creator Studio bundle of apps launches on Wednesday, January 28, and it has been speculated that Apple might use the opportunity to unveil the MacBook Pro models with M5 Pro and M5 Max chips this week.

As for the MacBook Air, it is expected to get the M5 chip, while the Mac Studio should get higher-end M5 Max and M5 Ultra chips.

There have been reports about a new Studio Display being in the works, with rumored features including mini-LED backlighting, ProMotion support for up to a 120Hz refresh rate, HDR support, and either an A19 or A19 Pro chip. Last month, the next-generation Studio Display was potentially spotted in a Chinese regulatory database.

Apple also plans to release a lower-cost MacBook with an iPhone chip and an updated Mac mini at some point this year, according to Gurman. The lower-cost MacBook is expected to be powered by a version of the iPhone 16 Pro's A18 Pro chip.