The first new iMac in two years is right around the corner. This fall, we can look forward to Apple’s updated all-in-one desktop getting a significant improvement in performance thanks to the M6 processor, which is good news for those wanting to use it with Apple’s new AI features. And new colors!
Here’s what to expect from the 2026 iMac.
The appeal of the iMac
The iMac is particularly well suited to families, students and anyone who wants a simple, all-in-one desktop without dealing with a separate monitor, computer and pile of cables. It’s a popular choice for kids who need a computer for schoolwork, homework and creative projects, while parents can use the same machine for browsing the web, managing finances, working from home and streaming entertainment.
It’s not a computer for people who demand loads of performance, so Apple doesn’t always keep the iMac upgraded with its latest processors. It skipped the M2, for example. And it seems Apple plans to skip the M5, too. At least, that’s what the rumors say.
Table of contents: M6 iMac rumor roundup
2026 iMac could arrive this fall with M6 chip
While previously there were rumors of an M5 version, multiple reports now point to a new iMac arriving this fall powered by Apple’s M6 chip. That would make it one of the first Macs to receive Apple’s next-generation processor, which is also expected to launch this autumn.
With the chip still months away, there are no benchmark scores, of course. The biggest change is expected to come from moving to a 2-nanometer manufacturing process, compared with the M4’s 3nm process. The M6 is also rumored to have higher memory bandwidth, an updated GPU and Neural Engine and improvements aimed at AI workloads.
All these enhancements could make the M6 iMac noticeably faster for demanding tasks such as photo and video editing while also improving Apple Intelligence performance. For everyday family computing, however, the difference may be less dramatic because the M4 is already extremely fast.
That said, those still using an older M1 iMac could see a 100% performance boost in demanding workloads from switching to the M6. But again, for basic tasks, the jump won’t be as noticeable because the M1 remains quite a capable chip.
New colors could make it look different
Photo: Apple/Cult of Mac
The processor boost is the big news, but there is at least one visible change reportedly coming to the iMac: new colors. Bloomberg‘s Mark Gurman reported in March that Apple planned a “refreshed color palette” for the next iMac.
The current iMac comes in blue, purple, pink, orange, yellow, green and silver. Apple made subtle changes to those colors with the M4 generation, but kept the same basic lineup.
The new model could bring more distinctive shades inspired by Apple’s recent approach to products such as the MacBook Neo. Exactly what those colors will be remains unknown, however.
Don’t expect a major redesign
But if you’re hoping for a dramatically different-looking iMac, the latest rumors aren’t particularly encouraging. Everything so far says the 2026 model will retain essentially the same design and display as the current iMac.
The last revamp came in 2021, when Apple replaced the old 21.5-inch model with a dramatically thinner 24-inch all-in-one powered by the M1 chip. There’ve been two processor boosts since then but the desktop retains the design and 24-inch display.
So expect the M6 iMac to sport the familiar white bezels, chin, thin profile and distinctive stand of its recent predecessors.
Another leak coming from Bloomberg revealed the two internal codenames for this product: J833 and J834. That points to Apple sticking with its strategy of offering two variants, one with two Thunderbolt ports and an 8-CPU-core processor and a second option with four Thunderbolt ports and a 10-CPU-core processor.
Look forward to the M6 iMac in fall 2026
All we have to go on are rumors and Apple’s previous habits, but the current expected M6 iMac release date is fall 2026… probably October.
As for the price, remember that Apple recently raised the current M4 iMac’s starting price from $1,299 to $1,499. So it’s likely the rumored M6 iMac will start around $1,499.
Recent reporting specifically places the new iMac among Apple’s fall Mac launches at the same time as an M6-powered entry-level 14-inch MacBook Pro.
When can we expect an iMac redesign?
The M6 iMac will be a “chip-and-ship” update, and that might have to hold buyers for several years.
True, sources in Apple’s component supply chain indicate that Cupertino is working on an OLED iMac with a display that would offer deeper blacks, higher contrast and other advantages over the current LCD panel. But that machine appears to be further down Apple’s roadmap. It might not appear before 2029. What’s likely holding it back is price: larger OLED panels, like those needed for an iMac, cost significantly more than traditional LCDs.
As for a possible larger display, Apple once made the 27-inch iMac Pro, and those who remember it fondly dream of another high-end all-in-one desktop from Apple. Rumors that Apple is considering just such a model surface periodically. But the original was discontinued in 2021, and there’s no definite word of a replacement.
