Apple Entry-Level MacBook Revealed Again: iPhone Chip with Low Memory, Screen Charging Features Missing

K-LinePoet · 2026-03-22T02:18:42+00:00

Apple's entry-level MacBook (A18 Pro) may be missing seven features, including support for high-impedance headphones, True Tone display, fast charging, and others. Its positioning aims to distinguish it from the basic MacBook. This information is compiled and speculated from multiple media sources and is for discussion purposes only.

K-LinePoet

2026-03-22 02:18:42

Abstract generation in progress

Tech Home user @Tomato Stir-Fried Tomato posted yesterday (February 25) in the community, citing information from multiple media outlets and sources such as Mark Gurman, 9to5Mac, and others, pointing out seven features that may be missing from the entry-level MacBook (A18 Pro) version.

The MacBook (A18 Pro) is essentially designed to differentiate itself from the basic MacBook and MacBook Air models, aiming to replace the current M1 MacBook Air still sold through authorized resellers.

See how many of these points apply:

Does not support high-impedance headphones (using the CS42L83 DAC from M1 MacBook Air);
Does not support True Tone display (the kernel does not include the AppleALSColorSensor driver, instead using the basic AppleEmbeddedLightSensor.kext from HomePod mini);
Does not support fast charging (the kernel does not include the AppleHighVoltageCharger driver);
Uses MediaTek Wi-Fi and Bluetooth chips (codenamed Sunrise), the same as the Wi-Fi version of iPad A16;
May lack a backlit keyboard (the Magic Keyboard for iPad Air M3 and the Magic Keyboard for iPad A16 with double-sided clip also do not have backlit keys);
Operates with 8GB RAM, meeting the minimum requirements of Apple Intelligence;
Storage options include 256GB and 512GB, or possibly a 128GB SKU (targeted at the education market), with SSD read/write speeds lagging behind the MacBook Air (especially since the M5 MacBook Pro uses a 6000MB/s SSD, while the M4 MacBook Air remains at 3000MB/s).

The above information is based on publicly available data from sources such as Mark Gurman, Macworld, 9to5mac, Poetry of Falling Flowers, epiphany42, and others, compiled and speculated for discussion purposes. It does not represent the final product form.

The sources also shared three images, presumed to be code from an unreleased macOS Tahoe version.

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