Top Podcasts on Apple iPhone 17e & M5 Macs
Updated: Feb 24, 2026 – 5 episodes
Bloomberg and other outlets report that Apple is planning a multi-day launch event culminating in a 'Special Experience' on March 4, 2026. The announcements are expected to include a new entry-level iPhone 17e (replacing the 16e), updated iPad Air models with the M4 chip, and the debut of the M5 chip generation in MacBook Pro and MacBook Air models. A low-cost MacBook model is also rumored to be a headline device for the education and budget markets.
The MacRumors Show offers a balanced perspective on Apple's upcoming event, focusing on the iPhone 17e and M5 MacBook Pros. It's a great starting point if you're curious about the main highlights. For a more bullish take, 9to5Mac Overtime dives into the potential impact of the rumored low-cost MacBook, questioning its design and market fit. Meanwhile, AppleInsider Podcast is enthusiastic about the low-cost MacBook's potential success due to its affordability and design. If you're skeptical about Apple's innovation, The Vergecast provides a bearish view, suggesting the updates might be minor. Each episode offers unique insights into Apple's strategy and product lineup.
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Podcast Episodes Covering This Story
The MacRumors Show
183: What's Coming at the March 4th 'Apple Experience'?
Date posted: Feb 20, 2026
Apple's multi-day launch event is likely to focus on the iPhone 17E and M5 MacBook Pros, with less emphasis on the rumored low-cost MacBook.
“The most likely products, I mean, even more than the low-cost MacBook, the iPhone 17E and the M5 Pro and M5 Max MacBook Pros are the devices that seem to be closest to launch. Then we have the sort of next tier, which is this low-cost MacBook, because although this is heavily rumored, we haven't actually seen any, like, leaked parts, any really concrete leaks that say that this is imminent.”
The introduction of a low-cost, colorful MacBook is a strategic move by Apple to capture the education and budget markets, offering a new product category that fills a gap in their lineup.
“Let's start with the low cost MacBook because that is probably the more interesting one because it's a brand new product, basically. Something that does not exist right now... And not just a colorful MacBook, but a cheap colorful MacBook. Because the rumored price point, and we keep seeing this like between $699 and $899, I gotta think it's gotta be $699... It is going to be quite a different device ultimately, and a lot more comparable to something like an iPad Air in terms of its specifications.”
Apple's strategy of launching multiple refreshed products at once could streamline their release schedule, but the real innovation may come from a future Smart Home event focusing on Siri advancements.
“It would be kind of sick if Apple just dumped the low-cost MacBook, 17E, iPad Air, 12th generation iPad, MacBook Air, MacBook Pro, all at this event. They're like, here you go, guys. Oh, and Apple TV and HomePod mini. Here you go. Here's all of the things that needed to be refreshed and we're just dumping them all at one time. The reason why I leave a couple off the list, Mac Studio and Studio Display, those could come at a later time, to me, where it makes sense.”
9to5Mac Overtime
9to5Mac Overtime 060: The perfect testbed for cellular Macs
Date posted: Feb 20, 2026
At a glance
The low-cost MacBook is the most intriguing announcement, raising questions about its design and market positioning without cannibalizing MacBook Air sales.
Key quote from this episode
“Out of all those things, what stands out to you the most? Because we don't have time to talk about them all in depth, but is there something on there that really stands out to you more so than the others? I definitely have one. I'm not gonna say it yet. I'll let you go first. Yeah. I mean, for me, it's the low cost MacBook. Yes, absolutely. Not because I'm the target audience for it or the market for it, but I'm just so curious how, A, I'm curious to know what it looks like.”
AppleInsider Podcast
March 4's Apple Experience, color MacBooks, and iOS 26.4 on the AppleInsider Podcast
Date posted: Feb 20, 2026
At a glance
The rumored low-cost MacBook will be a huge hit due to its affordability and premium design, despite being slightly less sleek than the MacBook Air.
Key quote from this episode
“Definitely gonna be a huge hit considering the MacBook Air is the most popular product Apple sells other than the iPhone and it's 999 so this drop in price it being a 13 ish inch product. It's not we're not bringing back the magical 12-inch. I wish we were that's a beautiful product and design It would be really cool if it was somewhere in that range.”
At a glance
Apple's planned product announcements are likely to be minor updates, indicating a lack of significant innovation or interest from Apple itself.
Key quote from this episode
“You can tell a lot about how interesting an Apple product is by the way that Apple announces it. And it like, we talk about this all the time, right? When they launch something by press release, it says a lot about Apple's own interest in this product. And my guess is this is going to be a series of relatively minor updates to things.”
At a glance
Apple's upcoming launch event will feature new hardware products, including a low-cost MacBook with the A18 Pro chip and potentially two new studio display models.
Key quote from this episode
“There are new references to two new studio display models, as well as the often rumored low-cost MacBook powered by the A18 Pro chip. The low-cost MacBook referenced is powered by the A18 Pro. It's widely expected to be released next month, featuring a display under 13 inches. It will also reportedly be made from aluminum, and Apple has tested multiple colors, including light yellow, light green, blue, pink, classic silver and dark gray.”
Sentiment Overview
Bullish (3)
Bearish (1)
Neutral (3)