The MacBook Neo features a redesigned aluminium enclosure with soft, rounded edges and weighs a mere 1.2kg, positioning it as a lightweight and portable option for students and everyday users. It will be available in four colours — blush, indigo, silver, and citrus — making it the most colourful MacBook lineup Apple has released to date. The colour themes extend to the Magic Keyboard and wallpapers for a cohesive design.

At the front of the device is a 13‑inch Liquid Retina display with a 2408-by-1506 resolution, up to 500 nits of brightness, and support for one billion colours. An anti-reflective coating is included to enhance viewing comfort in different lighting conditions. Apple says the display offers higher brightness and resolution than most Windows laptops in the same price category.

Given its price tag, don’t expect the M5 chip. Powering the MacBook Neo is Apple’s mobile A18 Pro chip, which includes a 6‑core CPU, 5‑core GPU, and a 16‑core Neural Engine. Apple claims the laptop delivers up to 50 percent faster performance in everyday tasks such as web browsing compared to bestselling PCs with Intel Core Ultra 5 processors. The laptop also offers up to three times faster performance in on-device AI workloads and up to twice the speed in tasks like photo editing. The system operates without a fan, allowing for silent performance.

Battery life is rated at up to 16 hours on a single charge, which Apple says is enough for all-day use in classrooms, offices, and on the go.

The MacBook Neo comes equipped with a 1080p FaceTime HD camera with dual microphones with directional beamforming to reduce background noise, and dual side-firing speakers that support Spatial Audio and Dolby Atmos. It also features Apple’s Magic Keyboard, a large Multi‑Touch trackpad, and optional Touch ID for secure login and Apple Pay authentication.

Connectivity options include two USB‑C ports — with the left port supporting USB 3 and external display connectivity, and the right supporting USB 2 — along with a 3.5mm headphone jack. The laptop also supports Wi‑Fi 6E and Bluetooth 6. And it comes only with 8GB of RAM, or unified memory.

Pre-orders open on March 6, 2026, through Apple’s online store and Apple Store app, with general availability beginning March 11, 2026, at Apple Store locations and authorised resellers across Singapore. The 256GB MacBook Neo costs S$849, while the 512GB MacBook Neo is priced at S$999. Still less than S$1,000!

This is Apple doubling down on AI performance, faster storage, better wireless, and longer battery life, while quietly increasing base storage across the board. The new laptops are Apple MacBook Air with M5 chip and MacBook Pro with M5 Pro or M5 Max chip.

MacBook Air with M5: The Everyday Beast Gets Smarter

The MacBook Air has always been Apple’s volume king. Now with M5 chip, it becomes surprisingly powerful — especially for AI workflows. The M5 chip features a 10‑core CPU (with Apple’s “world’s fastest CPU core”), up to 10‑core GPU, a Neural Accelerator in each GPU core, and 153GB/s unified memory bandwidth (28% increase over M4)

Apple claims that the new MacBook Air – available now in two sizes of 13 and 15 inches – is up to 4x faster AI performance and 9.5x faster genera performance compared to M4 Air. For students running on-device LLMs or creatives using AI-enhanced tools, this is a serious jump.

For most users, 512GB should now be the minimum standard, and Apple finally agrees. The M5 MacBook Air now starts with a base flash storage of 512GB (double from previous generation), configurable up to 4TB. Battery life is said to be up to 24 hours, ideal for those always on the go.

Other highlights include the upgrade to Wi-Fi 7 and Bluetooth 6, and a 40W Dynamic Power Adapter with 60W Max instead of the old 30W USB-C Power Adapter. Otherwise, the MacBook Air’s design remains the same and is available in four colours of Sky Blue, Midnight, Starlight and Silver. Prices start from S$1,599 for the 13-inch model and S$1,899 for the 15-inch model. Pre-order starts on 4 March with availability on 11 March.

MacBook Pro with M5 Pro and M5 Max: AI Workstation Mode

Now things get serious. Apple’s new M5 Pro and M5 Max chips are designed from the ground up for AI-heavy pro workflows. They use a new Fusion Architecture, combining two dies into a single system-on-chip.

Compared to previous generations, the M5 Pro/Max MacBook Pros offer up to 4x AI performance vs M4 generation, up to 8x AI performance vs M1 models and up to 50% GPU performance increase vs M4 Pro/Max. In other words, this isn’t just “export your Final Cut project faster” but about running LLMs locally, training AI models on-device, real-time 3D and VFX workflows, and heavy 8K video production.

But the biggest shift? The base storage is finally at least 1TB for M5 Pro models, and 2TB for M5 Max models, with up to 2x faster SSD speeds.

In addition, the new M5 Pro/Max MacBook Pros now come with three Thunderbolt 5 ports, a HDMI port support up to 8K, and Wi-Fi 7 and Bluetooth 6 (thanks to Apple N1 chip). It still has an SDXC card slot and uses MagSafe 3 charging port.

Available in two sizes of 14 inches and 16 inches with two colour options of either Space Black or Silver, the new MacBook Pros will be available on 11 March with pre-order starting 4 March. Prices of the M5 Pro models start from S$2,999 for 14-inch variant and S$3,649 for 16-inch variant, while the M5 Max 14-inch model starts from S$5,099 and the M5 Max 16-inch models starts from S$5,449.

With this worldwide expansion, users in 49 countries and regions around the world can access the service’s 12 different workout types – including Strength, Yoga, HIIT, Pilates, Dance, Cycling, Kickboxing, and Meditation – with episodes ranging from five to 45 minutes on iPhone, iPad, and Apple TV.

Users can supercharge their Fitness+ workouts with Apple Watch, or use AirPods Pro 3 and view personal metrics directly onscreen, such as heart rate, calories burned, progress on their Activity rings, and the Burn Bar, which lets users compare their effort to others who have done the same workout. With Custom Plans, Fitness+ automatically creates a personalised schedule based on users’ workout and meditation preferences, including their top activities, durations, trainers, music, and etc.

Music is key to the Fitness+ experience, thanks to a deep integration with Apple Music and inspiring music genres such as Upbeat Anthems, Latest Hits, Hip-Hop/R&B, and Latin Grooves. Now, Fitness+ is turning up the volume with a new K-Pop music genre that will be available across all workout types with global hits from top artists.

There are also many ways that Fitness+ seeks to keep you motivated for your workouts. For instance, the Artist Spotlight series dedicates entire workout playlists to a single artist, featuring music from some of the world’s biggest artists, including Taylor Swift, Beyoncé, BTS, Selena Gomez, and Coldplay.

In addition, Collections, a curated series of workouts and meditations from the Fitness+ library, are organised to help users reach their goals or find workouts that fit their interests, including Run Your First 5K, Pilates for More Than Your Core, No Shoes Workouts, So Fresh! 90s Dance, and more.

Finally, users can explore 12 unique meditation themes, including Calm, Sleep, and Sound, featuring easy-to-follow techniques that can help them recharge, better connect with themselves and others, and have more mindful moments throughout their day.

In some countries, Fitness+ and News+ are bundled together with Apple One higher-tier subscription known as Premier. As of press time, there is no indication that Fitness+ will come bundled with the current Apple One subscription in Singapore.

At 5.6mm thing and 165g light, Apple said it is a breakthrough design being the thinnest iPhone ever but more durable than any previous iPhone. While the device itself might be a marvel on its own, it feels more like a stepping stone toward something bigger: a foldable iPhone (P/S: above feature photo of foldable iPhone is generated using AI).

By focusing on creating the lightest and thinnest iPhone yet, Apple is likely preparing itself to tackle the added complexity of foldable designs. The balance between durability and portability will be key in any foldable iPhone, and the Air might be the testing ground for those advancements. Flexible displays require robust yet pliable materials, and the iPhone Air’s advancements suggest Apple might be inching closer to displays that can withstand folding without sacrificing quality.

Moreover, Apple has historically been cautious about adopting new technologies – preferring to wait until they are perfected before rolling out to the market. The iPhone Air’s display could be a precursor to Apple’s first flexible screens that meet its exacting standards.

Another key aspect of the iPhone Air is its use of new composite materials to achieve durability while reducing weight. Foldable devices are notorious for wear-and-tear issues, particularly at the hinge and along the fold line. And Apple’s work on the iPhone Air could be seen as a precursor to developing materials and structures robust enough to handle the stresses of hundred of thousands of folds without failure.

Indeed, Apple has filed patents in recent years for self-healing materials and advanced hinge mechanisms, further indicating its interest in foldable designs. The lightweight materials, such as titanium frame (which exceeds stringent bend strength requirements according to Apple) and Ceramic Shield, used in the iPhone Air could be the foundation for future foldables.

A foldable iPhone wouldn’t just require hardware changes—it would need software to match. For instance, foldables often offer split-screen functionality and seamless transitions between folded and unfolded states. Apple’s work on dynamic software experiences, such as Liquid Glass design with smooth transitions, in the upcoming iOS 26 (and probably future iOS) could be another sign that the company is laying the groundwork for a foldable future.

Historically, Apple has taken a deliberate and incremental approach to new product categories. Before launching the Apple Watch, Apple first focused on health and fitness features in the iPhone and the Health app. Similarly, before the iPad Pro, Apple introduced multitasking features to iOS. The iPhone Air might follow this pattern—an intermediate step that allows Apple to perfect the technologies that will eventually power a foldable iPhone.

Foldable smartphones have gained much traction in recent years, with Samsung leading the charge through its Galaxy Z Fold and Z Flip series. Chinese smartphone makers, like Honor and Oppo, have caught up with South Korean electronic giant, and in some respects outdone the chaebol. Apple has been seen lagging behind. But Apple doesn’t follow trends; it usually reshapes them.

Historically, Apple has often avoided rushing into new product categories or genres. In fact, it has a history of entering markets only when it feels it can deliver a superior experience (just think about the original iPhone). The iPhone Air might be Apple’s way of signalling that it’s getting closer to entering the foldable race.

While the iPhone Air may not fold, it’s not difficult to imagine it as a stepping stone toward that future. If and when Apple does enter the foldable market, it’s likely to do so with a device that redefines what foldables can be. For now, the iPhone Air feels like a tantalising prelude to that eventual fold.

AirPods Pro 3: Best Noise Cancellation Yet

• Top Features: 2x better noise cancellation (4x better than the original), heart rate sensing during workouts, improved fit with five ear-tip sizes, and up to 8 hours of playback.
• New Capabilities: Live Translation for real-time multilingual conversations and tracking for 50+ workout types via the Fitness app.
• Price: S$349. Pre-orders start September 11 (9am SGT), with availability on September 19.

Apple Watch Updates: Series 11, SE 3, and Ultra 3

• Apple Watch Series 11: Sleep score insights, 24-hour battery life, scratch-resistant Ion-X glass, and 5G connectivity. Starts at S$599.
• Apple Watch SE 3: Adds Always-On display, wrist temperature sensing, and a more durable design. Starts at S$349.
• Apple Watch Ultra 3: The ultimate adventure watch with a larger display, 42-hour battery life, and advanced GPS for sports and outdoor enthusiasts. Starts at S$1,199.
• All new Apple Watch models feature Workout Buddy, powered by Apple Intelligence, for personalised fitness tracking. Pre-orders start today (for Singapore and some markets), with availability on September 19.

iPhone 17 Lineup: New Designs, Better Cameras, and Faster Chips

1. iPhone 17:
   • Key Highlights: 6.3-inch ProMotion display, 48MP Dual Fusion cameras, and Centre Stage front camera for next-level selfies (auto detect to shoot in portrait or landscape mode based on number of subjects).
   • Price: Starts at S$1,299 (256GB).
2. iPhone Air:
   • Ultra-Thin Design: Just 5.6mm thick, with a titanium frame, 6.5-inch Super Retina XDR display and eSIM only (no physical SIM card!).
   • Battery Life: All-day battery life powered by the A19 Pro chip.
   • Price: Starts at S$1,599 (256GB).
3. iPhone 17 Pro & Pro Max:
   • Pro-Level Features: A19 Pro chip, 6.3-inch (Pro) or 6.9-inch (Pro Max) ProMotion display, and industry-first ProRes RAW video recording.
   • Cameras: All three rear cameras at 48MP with up to 4x optical zoom (P/S: “8x optical” is actually centre crop of the new bigger image sensor), and new Centre Stage front camera.
   • Price: iPhone 17 Pro starts at S$1,749, while iPhone 17 Pro Max starts at S$1,899 (256GB) and will be available in 2TB option (great for videographers).

• All new iPhone models feature Ceramic Shield 2, and Apple Intelligence for on-device AI capabilities. Pre-orders begin September 12, with availability starting September 19.