Thinner MacBook Air in 13" and 15" Sizes Coming at WWDC 2016?

Apple may be preparing to introduce a revamped MacBook Air at next year's Worldwide Developers Conference, according to Taiwan's Economic Daily News [Google Translate]. If Apple holds true to recent history, WWDC 2016 would be held in June, and the today's report claims the new MacBook Air will launch in the third quarter, which corresponds to the July–September timeframe.

macbook_airs_2015
The new MacBook Air is said to take on a slimmer design and arrive in 13-inch and 15-inch sizes, but it is unclear whether an 11-inch model will also be included. The slimmer design will be enabled by "fully redesigned" internal components across the board, and Apple is reportedly currently working with its suppliers to develop these new components.

Apple's notebook lineup expanded earlier this year with the addition of the new MacBook, an ultrathin machine carrying a 12-inch Retina display and utilizing ultra low voltage Intel chips for a fanless design.

Many have assumed the MacBook Air will be discontinued at some point as declining costs allow the MacBook to become Apple's mainstream notebook offering, so a redesigned MacBook Air giving the line a new lease on life could be considered a bit of a surprise.

The addition of a 15-inch MacBook Air could hint at Apple's vision for its future lineup, with the 12-inch MacBook occupying the ultraportable spot, the MacBook Air serving mainstream customers at 13 and 15 inches, and the MacBook Pro offering more power at those same sizes.

Economic Daily News has a hit-or-miss track record with Apple rumors, so caution should be observed with today's claims until or unless other supporting rumors surface in the coming months.

Related Roundup: MacBook Air
Related Forum: MacBook Air

Popular Stories

iPhone 17 Pro Dark Blue and Orange

iPhone 17 Release Date, Pre-Orders, and What to Expect

Thursday August 28, 2025 4:08 am PDT by
An iPhone 17 announcement is a dead cert for September 2025 – Apple has already sent out invites for an "Awe dropping" event on Tuesday, September 9 at the Apple Park campus in Cupertino, California. The timing follows Apple's trend of introducing new iPhone models annually in the fall. At the event, Apple is expected to unveil its new-generation iPhone 17, an all-new ultra-thin iPhone 17...
iPhone 17 Pro Iridescent Feature 2

iPhone 17 Pro Clear Case Leak Reveals Three Key Changes

Sunday August 31, 2025 1:26 pm PDT by
Apple is expected to unveil the iPhone 17 series on Tuesday, September 9, and last-minute rumors about the devices continue to surface. The latest info comes from a leaker known as Majin Bu, who has shared alleged images of Apple's Clear Case for the iPhone 17 Pro and Pro Max, or at least replicas. Image Credit: @MajinBuOfficial The images show three alleged changes compared to Apple's iP...
xiaomi apple ad india

Apple and Samsung Push Back Against Xiaomi's Bold India Ads

Friday August 29, 2025 4:54 am PDT by
Apple and Samsung have reportedly issued cease-and-desist notices to Xiaomi in India for an ad campaign that directly compares the rivals' devices to Xiaomi's products. The two companies have threatened the Chinese vendor with legal action, calling the ads "disparaging." Ads have appeared in local print media and on social media that take pot shots at the competitors' premium offerings. One...
iphone 16 pro ghost hand

iPhone 17 Pro: 5 Reasons Not to Upgrade This Year

Monday September 1, 2025 4:35 am PDT by
Apple will launch its new iPhone 17 series this month, and the iPhone 17 Pro models are expected to get a new design for the rear casing and the camera area. But more significant changes to the lineup are not expected until next year, when the iPhone 18 models arrive. If you're thinking of trading in your iPhone for this year's latest, consider the following features rumored to be coming to...
iOS 18 on iPhone Arrow Down

Apple Preparing iOS 18.7 for iPhones as iOS 26 Release Date Nears

Sunday August 31, 2025 4:35 pm PDT by
Apple is preparing to release iOS 18.7 for compatible iPhone models, according to evidence of the update in the MacRumors visitor logs. We expect iOS 18.7 to be released in September, alongside iOS 26. The update will likely include fixes for security vulnerabilities, but little else. iOS 18.7 will be one of the final updates ever released for the iPhone XS, iPhone XS Max, and iPhone XR,...

Top Rated Comments

sniffies Avatar
127 months ago
What a buncha malarky!

Here's what will actually happen:

- Apple will simplify their lineup by killing the "Air" moniker
- Apple will switch to even screen sizes (12, 14, 16, etc.)
- Apple will introduce 14" MacBook in addition to the 12"
- Apple will replace 13" and 15" MacBook Pro with thinner 14" and 16" MacBook Pro, respectively
- 14" and 16" MacBook Pro will be the same size as the current 13" and 15" MacBook Pro, respectively, but with larger screen thanks to much thinner bezel
- Apple will rename iPad Air as simply iPad
- Air is overrated
Score: 51 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Menopause Avatar
127 months ago
If they're making *everything* one size bigger: I'd like to request that 17" MacBook Pros be resurrected with a Retina Display with the present MBP form factor (thinness, weight etc.). It'll be a dream for creative professionals.
Score: 29 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Asarien Avatar
127 months ago
Apple has jumbled up these brands so much, not even they know what to do.

How can the MacBook model be the ultra-portable line, while the Air becomes the standard consumer line? The Air was created exclusively to compete with netbooks and ultra-portables in the first place!
Score: 27 Votes (Like | Disagree)
sniffies Avatar
127 months ago
Then they'd better have Retina displays or else.
Score: 19 Votes (Like | Disagree)
thairish Avatar
127 months ago
Thinner pros and no new airs.
Score: 15 Votes (Like | Disagree)
JesterJJZ Avatar
127 months ago
I wish the "Air" thing would go away. Just call them MacBooks and MacBookPros…

And make a real MacPro while you're at it...
Score: 13 Votes (Like | Disagree)