Home
Laptops
Laptops News
Apple’s Rumoured Low Cost MacBook Tipped to Miss Out on True Tone Display, Fast Charging Support

Apple’s Rumoured Low-Cost MacBook Tipped to Miss Out on True Tone Display, Fast Charging Support

With a reported 12.9-inch screen, it could position itself as the MacBook with the smallest display in Apple's lineup.

Written by Shaurya Tomer, Edited by Ketan Pratap | Updated: 26 February 2026 12:47 IST

Apple’s Rumoured Low-Cost MacBook Tipped to Miss Out on True Tone Display, Fast Charging Support

The MacBook Air is currently the most affordable laptop in Apple's lineup

Click Here to Add Gadgets360 As A Trusted Source

Highlights

The purported MacBook is tipped to miss P3 wide colour support
A backlit keyboard could be omitted as well
The device is expected to cost under $1,000

Apple has been rumoured to be working on a low-cost MacBook for quite some time now. Although no official announcement has been made so far, a recent leak suggests that the Cupertino-based tech giant could make some compromises in terms of hardware to offset costs. It is tipped to miss out on a True Tone display, high peak brightness, and a backlit keyboard. The low-cost MacBook may also omit fast charging support.

Lack of Key Features on Low-Cost MacBook

According to a tipster's post on the Chinese microblogging platform Weibo, Apple's purported low-cost MacBook could miss out on a True Tone display, with a separate source claiming the laptop may not support the P3 wide colour gamut either. It is also rumoured to lack support for high-impedance headphones, a feature available on higher-end MacBook models.

In addition, the display's maximum brightness is expected to be lower than the 500-nit panel offered on the MacBook Air. Charging capabilities may be limited, too. The tipster claims the low-cost MacBook will not support fast charging of any kind, potentially resulting in longer charging times compared to Apple's lineup.

Here’s When Apple Might Launch Its First Touchscreen OLED MacBook Pro

Connectivity hardware could also differ from higher-end models. Instead of using Apple's proprietary wireless solution, the laptop is said to feature a MediaTek Wi-Fi and Bluetooth chip, which is reportedly the same component used in the base iPad model.

Other potential compromises include the absence of a backlit keyboard, potentially affecting work in low-light environments. Storage configurations are expected to include 256GB and 512GB options, though there may be a special 128GB tier reserved for education buyers. Lastly, the tipster mentioned that the low-cost MacBook could use slower SSD storage compared to the MacBook Air and MacBook Pro models.

With a reported 12.9-inch screen, the purported laptop may position itself as the MacBook with the smallest display in Apple's lineup. The rumoured MacBook is expected to be placed in the sub-$1,000 (roughly Rs. 90,700) price band, making it the most affordable MacBook in the market.

While the launch timeline remains under wraps, the tech giant is reportedly hosting a “special Apple experience” on March 4 in London, New York, and Shanghai. The low-cost MacBook is rumoured to be one of the anticipated introductions, alongside the iPhone 17e.

Affiliate links may be automatically generated - see our ethics statement for details.

Comments

Get your daily dose of tech news, reviews, and insights, in under 80 characters on Gadgets 360 Turbo. Connect with fellow tech lovers on our Forum. Follow us on X, Facebook, WhatsApp, Threads and Google News for instant updates. Catch all the action on our YouTube channel.

Further reading: Apple, MacBook, low cost MacBook, apple event

Shaurya Tomer

Email Shaurya Tomer

Shaurya Tomer is a Sub Editor at Gadgets 360 with 2 years of experience across a diverse spectrum of topics. With a particular focus on smartphones, gadgets and the ever-evolving landscape of artificial intelligence (AI), he often likes to explore the industry's intricacies and innovations – whether dissecting the latest smartphone release or exploring the ethical implications of AI advancements. In his free time, he often embarks on impromptu road trips to unwind, recharge, and ...More