At WWDC 2025, Apple previewed macOS Tahoe 26, its upcoming working system replace for Macs, and the final software program to help Intel fashions. Among the many new options customers will get this fall are a revamped design, an all-new Safari, and a long-awaited Cellphone app.
Right here’s how Apple describes the Cellphone app on macOS Tahoe: “Make and take calls with a click on. Conveniently entry your synced content material like Recents, Contacts, and Voicemail — and benefit from the acquainted options from iPhone.” Customers may also be capable to handle undesirable calls and have Maintain Help assist out whereas ready for a stay agent to choose up the decision.
Whereas it has been potential to choose up calls and use FaceTime on the Mac for ages, having Apple introduce a correct Cellphone app on macOS Tahoe makes me assume the corporate is contemplating the discharge of mobile Macs, and this isn’t as loopy of an thought because it sounds.
Is Apple planning mobile Macs?
The primary purpose to consider a mobile Mac is within the works is the upcoming Cellphone app. Whereas Apple additionally added the app to the iPad, it’s necessary to spotlight that it’s nonetheless not possible to make use of the iPad’s eSIM to make calls by itself as of iPadOS 26 beta 1.
Another excuse that would point out this long-requested characteristic is coming to Macs is the truth that Apple now makes its personal 5G modems. Whereas the firm’s C1 chip underperforms Qualcomm’s processors in principally each job, it has confirmed that it handles battery life and total efficiency significantly better, and the principle instance right here is the brand new iPhone 16e.
Whereas a brand new 5G modem isn’t anticipated to reach earlier than 2026, Apple has an bold purpose to make use of its proprietary chip within the iPhone 18 lineup. As well as, the iPhone 17 Air is anticipated to characteristic Apple’s C1, which reveals how a lot the corporate believes in its homegrown modem. That stated, mobile Macs may benefit from this know-how as effectively.
The ultimate purpose to consider that is coming will be present in a Bloomberg report from a couple of years again. On the time, Mark Gurman stated that Apple’s 5G and Wi-Fi modem technique can be key to delivering a mobile chip to the Mac: “The actual check can be whether or not Apple can efficiently apply its do-it-yourself strategy to new areas. That features constructing its personal mobile modem, a part that’s now anticipated to be prepared round 2026. The corporate will then in all probability want two or three further years to get that chip inside mobile variations of the Apple Watch and iPad — and the Mac, as soon as the half is built-in into the corporate’s system-on-a-chip.”
Right here’s why a mobile Mac is sensible
If that proof isn’t sufficient, it’s necessary to spotlight that Apple has been capable of significantly enhance the MacBook’s battery life over the previous few years. The most recent M4 MacBook fashions can match the battery lifetime of earlier 16-inch fashions, which is spectacular.
It’s additionally price noting that with the corporate positioning the MacBook Professional as a robust system it is best to all the time have with you, plus the latest nano-texture show enhancing usability outside, it might be solely pure if Apple’s laptop computer had a 5G connection, permitting customers to work wherever with no need an iPhone as a private hotspot.
In my expertise, turning on Private Hotspot is an effective way to look at each your Mac and iPhone battery drain quickly on the identical time. That stated, Apple’s proprietary 5G modem may very well be the right answer to resolve this concern on future MacBook fashions.
Lastly, it’s potential that this mobile model comes quite earlier than later. In spite of everything, a redesign of the MacBook Professional is anticipated by 2026. With a brand new OLED show, one other huge leap may very well be the addition of mobile capabilities, taking the Mac to an entire new stage.
