Macmundo
Apple’s next iMac could be just a few days away. Almost two years after the launch of the iMac M4, Apple is preparing to introduce a new model with its M6 chip, potentially in late October 2026.
The good news is that the M6 promises a substantial performance improvement, with a faster CPU and GPU, improved memory bandwidth, and significant advances in AI processing. The less exciting news is that Apple is not expected to make any major changes to the iMac’s design, although new colors could be on the way.
On October 19, Apple announced a media event, called “Pro and Tell” in October 28, 2026. This is expected to be the introduction of new Macs, including the iMac M6.
Here’s everything we know about the iMac M6, including its expected release date, design, specs, and price.
iMac M6 release date: When will it be released?
- Expected release date: October 28, 2026
On October 19, Apple announced a media event, called “Pro and Tell” in October 28, 2026. This is expected to be the introduction of new Macs, including the iMac M6.
Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman previously indicated that another Apple product launch was planned for Tuesday, October 27, so an announcement could still be made the day before the media meeting.
The iMac M6 is among the products expected to appear, along with new M6 MacBook Pro models, a touchscreen MacBook Pro, and an updated iPad mini.
The prospect of an imminent iMac launch follows previous reports from Gurman. In the question and answer section of his August 23 Power On newsletter, Gurman indicated that the iMac M6 was close to launch and that customers should be able to purchase one before the end of 2026.
An earlier report from July 2026 also identified two iMac models, codenamed J833 and J834, among a wave of new Macs that Apple was preparing.
The current iMac M4 arrived in fall 2024, making it almost two years old. Apple appears to have skipped the M5 iMac entirely, having previously skipped the M2 generation, meaning the next model should jump straight from the M4 to the M6.
iMac M6 design: Will there be new colors?
- Expected: Same 24-inch design, potentially with new color options.
Apple
Anyone expecting a completely redesigned iMac may be disappointed. According to Gurman’s August report, Apple is not preparing a major overhaul of its all-in-one desktop computer for 2026.
The iMac has essentially retained the same ultra-thin, colorful design since Apple introduced the 24-inch iMac M1 in 2021. Although the 2024 iMac M4 refresh introduced some improvements, the overall look remained largely unchanged.
Gurman expects the iMac M6 to follow a similar pattern, with the new chip representing the most significant update. However, he has suggested that new colors could be introduced.
Apple currently offers the iMac in seven colors: blue, green, pink, silver, yellow, orange and purple. These options have been available since 2021, although Apple renewed the shades with the M4 model.
A more substantial redesign of the iMac could still be coming in a future generation, but there’s currently little evidence to suggest Apple is planning one for the iMac M6.
M6 iMac display: Will it have a larger screen?
Foundry
- Expected: A 24-inch 4.5K Retina display, similar to the current model.
The current model has a 24-inch 4.5K Retina display, with a resolution of 4,480 by 2,520 pixels. It uses LED-backlit LCD technology and supports up to 500 nits of brightness. The iMac M6 is likely to retain a similar display.
There have been rumors that Apple is developing a larger iMac with more advanced display technology. In 2023, analyst Ming-Chi Kuo predicted a high-end 32-inch iMac with a mini-LED display, which could arrive in 2025. However, that product never materialized and there is no reliable indication that it will be launched alongside the iMac M6.
M6 iMac specs and performance: how much faster will it be?
- Expected: M6 chip, improved CPU and GPU performance, faster memory, and a substantial AI upgrade.
The iMac M6 may not look much different from its predecessor, but the processor could make it a considerably more powerful computer.
Apple introduced the M6 chip in August 2026 and the new M6 Mac mini will go on sale in September. That means we already have a useful indication of what technology the next iMac could include. You can read about how the Mac mini M6 chips compare to other Macs in our Best Mac guide.
The M6 is Apple’s first chip made using a 2-nanometer process, replacing the 3-nanometer technology used by the M4. The smaller manufacturing process allows Apple to improve transistor density, performance, and power efficiency.
The M6 used in the Mac mini features:
- A 12-core CPU.
- A 12-core GPU with neural accelerators on each core.
- A dual 16-core neural engine for artificial intelligence and machine learning tasks.
- 16 GB of standard unified memory, configurable up to 32 GB.
- Memory bandwidth up to 170 GB/s.
- Improved storage performance compared to the M4 generation.
The iMac M4 currently offers an 8- or 10-core CPU and an 8- or 10-core GPU, depending on configuration. So moving up to the M6 could bring a particularly noticeable performance upgrade, especially for buyers upgrading from the base M4 model.
Apple claims that the Mac mini M6 delivers up to 40 percent faster CPU performance, twice the graphics performance, and four times the AI performance of the Mac mini M4 in its specific tests.
We can’t assume that the M6 iMac will achieve identical results, but these figures demonstrate the potential benefits of moving from the M4 to the M6 generation.
Improved AI performance
One of the biggest improvements could be the M6’s new AI processing architecture.
Previous M-series chips used a single 16-core Neural Engine. The M6 features a dual 16-core neural engine, supporting neural accelerators on each GPU core.
Together, these changes should make the iMac M6 significantly better equipped for demanding AI workloads, including running models in the local language, processing images, and using AI-powered creative tools.
For everyday users, the benefits may be less immediately obvious. However, additional processing capabilities could become increasingly useful as macOS and third-party apps adopt more sophisticated on-device AI features.
More memory and faster connectivity
The M6 supports up to 32GB of unified memory and 170GB/s memory bandwidth. It remains to be seen if Apple offers the same memory configurations on the iMac.
The new Mac mini also includes Wi-Fi 7 and Bluetooth 6, so these connectivity improvements are likely coming to the iMac M6 as well.
It is unknown if Apple will update the iMac’s Thunderbolt ports, storage options, or other hardware features.
iMac M6 Price: How Much Will It Cost?
- Expected starting price: About $1,499.
When Apple introduced the iMac M4 in 2024, prices started at $1,299 for the base model with an 8-core CPU, 8-core GPU, and 256GB of storage. The top-end version, with a 10-core CPU and 10-core GPU, had a starting price of $1,499.
However, Apple increased prices for the iMac M4 in June 2026. The base model now starts at $1,499, while the quad-port version starts at $1,699.
These price increases make it difficult to predict what Apple will charge for the next generation.
Apple could maintain current starting prices, especially if the M6 update introduces relatively few changes beyond the processor. Alternatively, the higher cost of components and memory could lead to larger increases.
For now, $1,499 is a reasonable starting point for expectations.
Should you buy an M4 iMac or wait for the M6?
- Our recommendation: Wait for the iMac M6 if you can.
Since the next iMac could arrive before the end of October, we recommend holding off on purchasing the full-price M4 model.
The current iMac is still a great all-in-one desktop for everyday computing, working from home, students, and families. Its 24-inch Retina display, compact design, and M4 processor make it more than capable of meeting most people’s needs.
However, it seems that the M6 will bring a significant increase in performance. The move from M4 to M6 should provide improvements in CPU and GPU performance, while the updated Neural Engine could make a difference as AI features become more demanding.
Waiting will also allow you to compare the prices and specifications of the new iMac with those of the outgoing model. Even if you end up choosing an iMac M4, its replacement could make discounted older models more attractive.
There are reasons to buy now. If you need a new Mac right away and find a substantial discount on an iMac M4, it could still be a sensible purchase. But for anyone buying a new iMac at full price, waiting for Apple’s next announcement is the best option.
