macOS 26.3 hints at Apple’s alleged cheaper MacBook and two new Studio Display models. Macworldis Filipe Espósito.
Espósito found the following codenames in the macOS 26.3 source code and revealed the upcoming products they likely correspond to, based on previous reports from Bloomberg‘s Mark Gurman and more.
Code Names:
- J700: A cheaper MacBook
- J427: New Studio Display
- J527: New high-end studio display
This is far from the first time these codenames have been spotted in Apple software updates. According to MacRumors contributor Aaron Perris, the codenames were also present in updates such as macOS 26.2 and iOS 18.5 last year.
As more and more tips pile up, it’s clear that all three products are nearing release.
The prevailing assumption is that Apple will introduce a cheaper MacBook within three days of new product announcements in the first week of March. Media will then receive hands-on time with the laptop during the “Apple Experience” in New York, London and Shanghai on Wednesday, March 4 at 9 a.m. ET.
The new Studio Displays are expected to be released in the first half of 2026, but it is unclear if they will be part of the announcement in the first week of March.
The cheaper MacBook is said to be powered by the iPhone 16 Pro’s version of the A18 Pro chip, rather than the M-series chip. The notebook will apparently come in a variety of bright colors such as yellow, green, blue and/or pink. Other specs include a 12.9-inch display and 8GB of RAM. The starting price remains to be seen, with estimates ranging from $599 to $799 in the United States.
The cheaper MacBook would be an all-new model sitting below the MacBook Air, and would mark a revival of the “MacBook” brand (without the “Air” or “Pro” designation). Apple sold a 12-inch “MacBook” with an Intel processor from 2015 to 2019.
At least one of the new Studio Display models is said to have a 27-inch screen with mini-LED backlighting, a refresh rate of up to 90Hz or 120Hz, HDR support, and an A19 or A19 Pro chip. No major design changes are expected.
If the next Studio Display gets a mini-LED backlight and HDR support, its maximum brightness and contrast ratio would be higher than the current model. And the newer A19 or A19 Pro chip – over the current A13 Bionic – should bring performance improvements, camera-related improvements and more.
There are no details about the second Studio Display. Apparently, it would be a higher class model and we can only dream of a larger diagonal of 32 inches.
The current Studio Display launched in March 2022 alongside the first Mac Studio. It has a 27-inch screen without mini-LED backlight, 5K resolution, 60Hz refresh rate, brightness up to 600 nits, built-in camera and speakers, one Thunderbolt 3 port and three USB-C ports. In the US, the price starts at $1,599.