This digest compiles the latest from Apple Insider.
Today’s Apple Insider Roundup
Rising memory & battery costs complicate Apple's lower-cost MacBook
Initial guess-work about Apple’s low-cost MacBook in 2023 set pricing at about $500, but surprise increases in component pricing since then are a problem in 2026.
Industry forecasts project Apple’s MacBook shipments will rise 1.4% quarter over quarter and 3.7% year over year in early 2026. Total MacBook shipments are expected to reach 21 million units in 2026, up from 20.55 million in 2025, a modest gain that stands out in a weakening market.
Global notebook shipments are expected to decline in early 2026 due to cautious enterprise spending and a slower consumer upgrade cycle. Apple’s expansion is happening against that backdrop, not in spite of it.
iPhone Fold hinge crease will be about 1/4 the depth of the Galaxy Fold 7
Apple’s focus on the iPhone Fold display will finally pay off when it is released, with the device rumored to have a tiny crease compared to other foldable smartphones.
The long-rumored iPhone Fold’s key feature is its ability to fold its larger display in half. But, as other foldables have shown, there is a risk of there being a noticeable crease in the middle.
If a new leak is correct, Apple’s work to minimize the crease has resulted in an exceptional display. If this rumor is correct, it will have a crease, but one only barely observable to its users.
Rumor Score: 🤔 Possible
How Apple will target consumers with a lower-cost MacBook — again
Apple’s expected less-expensive MacBook is one of the company’s worst-kept secrets, but if it’s priced right, it could become a huge hit — just as certain previous MacBooks did.
This anticipated new MacBook is expected to be significant because it will use an iPhone processor instead of the Mac‘s now usual M-series ones. It is that lower-cost processor that means Apple may be able to compete with Chromebooks.
That’s key now, and it was important when Apple would release a MacBook range in 2015. But back in 2006 with the follow up to the iBook, the MacBook, the budget-priced and low specification Chromebook was five years away.
Selling iPhones without chargers in Brazil cost Apple one second of global revenue in fines
Apple has been fined a tiny $20,000 by Brazil, as the country continues to disagree with Apple’s 2020 decision to stop selling power adapters with iPhones.
Government fines are usually quite sizable when dealing with a company at the scale of Apple. However, in one long-running legal disagreement with Brazil, the fine is unusually small.
State consumer protection watchdog Procon-AL has levied the fine against Apple over its continued lack of a power charger in the iPhone box that ships to consumers. Stemming from an environmental decision made in late 2020 that Apple still follows,the fine insists that it is an essential accessory that should be provided.
Sixth Apple Store in India to open on February 26
Ahead of its opening on Thursday, February 26, 2026, Apple has previewed Apple Borivali, Mumbai’s second Apple Store.
As previously predicted, Apple’s latest store in India is in the newly-opened Sky City Mall, off the Western Express Highway, and near Borivali station. Those previous leaks claimed that Apple has signed a lease for 10 years and 10 months on a site of 12,616 square feet.
“We’re thrilled to open Apple Borivali, and bring the best of Apple to life for even more customers in India,” Deirdre O’Brien, Apple’s senior vice president of Retail and People, said in a statement. “We’re so inspired by the creativity and enthusiasm of communities across India, and our dedicated team members are excited to welcome and connect with customers in this extraordinary new store, our second in Mumbai.”
Durobo Krono e-reader: small on size, short on features
The Durobo Krono strips the e-reader down to its pocketable essentials, but a lack of polish and questionable features keep it from challenging more refined rivals.
Reading on the go is always kind of a pain. Either you’re doing it on a smartphone, which isn’t great for your eyes, or you might try to lug around an iPad or a larger e-paper reader like a Kindle.
That’s why there’s a surprisingly large fanbase for pocket-sized e-eaders. I even consider myself a part of that fanbase, considering how much I’ve enjoyed using one myself.
End of today’s Apple Insider roundup.
