Apple has updated the 24-inch iMac to use the M6 chip. Here's what's new in the desktop Mac versus the M4 model from two years ago.
Apple's last update to the 24-inch iMac was in 2024, when it shifted from the original M1 to the M4 chip. Two years later, Apple has now bumped the chip up yet again, this time to the M6.
However, as usual for a spec-bump update, a lot of the iMac has remained the same instead of changing with the times. While OLED is a future prospect, it's an update to the line that's far from launch.
As it stands, consumers now have a new model of all-in-one Mac desktop to consider purchasing.
What follows is what new elements Apple has brought to the M6 24-inch iMac, and how it fares compared to the M4 model it is replacing.
M6 24-inch iMac vs M4 24-inch iMac: Specifications
| Specifications | 24-inch iMac (2026, M6) | 24-inch iMac (2024, M4) |
|---|---|---|
| Starting launch price | $1,499 (10-core), $1,699 (12-core) | $1,299 (8-core), $1,499 (10-core) Best M4 iMac prices |
| Processor | 10-core M6, 12-core M6 Dual 16-core Neural Engine | 8-core M4, 10-core M4, 16-core Neural Engine |
| Graphics | 10-core M6 GPU (2-port), 12-core M6 GPU (4-port) | 8-core M4 GPU (2-port), 10-core M4 GPU (4-port) |
| RAM | 16GB unified memory, Configurable up to 24GB (10-core), Configurable up to 32GB (12-core), | 16GB unified memory, Configurable up to 24GB (8-core), Configurable up to 32GB (10-core), |
| Internal storage | 256GB SSD Configurable up to 1TB SSD (10-core) Configurable up to 2TB (12-core) | 256GB SSD Configurable up to 1TB SSD (8-core) Configurable up to 2TB (10-core) |
| Display | 4,480 x 2,520 Retina 4.5K LED display, Wide color (P3), True Tone, 500 nits, Nano-texture glass (Optional) | 4,480 x 2,520 Retina 4.5K LED display, Wide color (P3), True Tone, 500 nits, Nano-texture glass (Optional) |
| Connectivity | 802.11ax Wi-Fi 7 Bluetooth 6 Thread 2.5 Gigabit Ethernet (Optional on 10-core) 2x USB 4/Thunderbolt 4 (10-core) 4x USB 4/Thunderbolt 4 (12-core) 3.5mm headphone jack with high-impedance headphone support | 802.11ax Wi-Fi 6E Bluetooth 5.3 Gigabit Ethernet (Optional on 8-core) 2x USB 4/Thunderbolt 4 (8-core) 4x USB 4/Thunderbolt 4 (10-core) 3.5mm headphone jack with high-impedance headphone support |
| Camera and Audio | 12MP Center Stage camera with M4 ISP Studio Quality, three-mic array with directional beamforming Six-speaker system with force-canelling woofers | 12MP Center Stage camera with M4 ISP Studio Quality, three-mic array with directional beamforming Six-speaker system with force-canelling woofers |
| Video output | One 6K display at 60Hz (10-core) Two 6K displays at 60Hz or one 8K display at 60Hz (12-core) | One 6K display at 60Hz (8-core) Two 6K displays at 60Hz or one 8K display at 60Hz (10-core) |
| Special features | Hey Siri support Magic Keyboard with Touch ID (Optional on 10-core) | Hey Siri support Magic Keyboard with Touch ID (Optional on 8-core) |
M6 24-inch iMac vs M4 24-inch iMac: Design, weight, size
The M4 24-inch iMac retained the same design as the M1 that preceded it. A second-generation device, it had the same dimensions at 18.1 inches tall and 21.5 inches wide, and 5.8 inches deep at the base.
This trend of not breaking what isn't broken continues for the M6 model, with the same style and dimensions.
For weight, the -core M4 model was 9.79 pounds, and the 8-core was lighter at 9.74 pounds. The M6 model is practically the same at 9.7 pounds for the 10-core version and 9.8 pounds for the 12-core version.
M6 24-inch iMac vs M4 24-inch iMac: The design remains unchanged. - Image Credit: Apple
That said, we are talking about a computer that sits on a desk and won't move. Weight doesn't really matter that much.
The design is, too, unchanged between the generations. There's a thin bezel and a chunky chin on all models, with a camera hole at the top of the display.
To the rear, the M4 model had two or four visible USB Type-C connections, depending on the configuration, and a headphone jack. Once again, this is unchanged for the M6.
M6 24-inch iMac vs M4 24-inch iMac: Display
Much like the physical design, there's no real change for the display either. Both versions have a 23.5-inch 4.5K Retina display, with a resolution of 4,480 by 2,520 pixels and a pixel density of 218 pixels per inch.
Brightness is also unchanged at 500 nits, with there also being Wide Color (P3) support and True Tone too.
M6 24-inch iMac vs M4 24-inch iMac: The M6 iMac color range - Image Credit: Apple
The M4 model's four-port variant did introduce a Nano-texture glass option, referring to the etching feature to minimize glare and reflections.
Naturally, the M6 model has this too, again reserved for the four-port version.
It's doubtful that any spec bump update of the iMac will include a new display unless there's a major redesign, a new size option, or OLED eventually makes its way to the model.
M6 24-inch iMac vs M4 24-inch iMac: Performance
The real change for this model is the chip, with the move from M4 to M6.
The M4 model was sold in two varieties. One was M4 with the 8-core CPU, with four performance and four efficiency cores, as well as the 8-core GPU.
The other was a 10-core CPU with four performance cores and six efficiency cores, and a 10-core GPU. Both versions also have a Media Engine, 16-core Neural Engine, and 120GB/s of memory bandwidth.
The M6 is also available in two variants.
The lower-tier version of the M6 has a ten-core CPU with two super cores, three performance cores, and five efficiency cores. The upper-tier version brings the total to 12, with two super cores, four performance cores, and six efficiency cores.
There is also a difference with the GPU, as the 10-core version has a ten-core GPU while the 12-core has a 12-core GPU. The M6 also benefits from Neural Accelerators in each GPU core, which significantly improves AI workloads.
The memory on the M4 starts at 16GB, with 24GB available as a maximum for the 8-core model and 32GB for the 10-core version. This doesn't change for the M6, with the same options available.
Geekbench single-core results
While we don't have benchmarks from the M6 iMac to work with immediately, we can use the M6 Mac mini as a proxy, due to using the same M6 chips, at least for the 12-core version.
In single-core performance, the M4 iMac scores 3,175 in its eight-core CPU variant, and 3,245 in the ten-core version. The M6 Mac mini scores 4,002.
Geekbench multi-core results
For multi-core, the iMac achieves 13,405 for the eight-core variant, 15,424 in its ten-core. The M6 Mac mini again pulls ahead with 21,881.
On GPU performance using Metal, the M4 iMac gets to 47,302 and 52,961, for the eight-core and ten-core GPU, respectively. On M6, its 89,375.
Geekbench Metal results
Overall, that's a bit of a jump up in terms of processing performance, and users will certainly welcome it.
M6 24-inch iMac vs M4 24-inch iMac: Camera and audio
On the M4, the 12MP Center Stage camera is used for FaceTime. Capable of 1080p video, it also benefits from the advanced image signal processor for a better overall image.
Apple hasn't changed this for the M6 model, as you get exactly the same camera and capabilities.
M6 24-inch iMac vs M4 24-inch iMac: Ports around the back. - Image Credit: Apple
Audio on both models stems from a high-fidelity six-speaker system, complete with force-cancelling woofers. There's wide stereo sound and support for Spatial Audio when playing Dolby Atmos content.
To capture audio, there's the usual "studio-quality" three-mic array in place. Complete with a high signal-to-noise ratio and directional beamforming.
Apple did introduce high-impedance headphone support with the headphone jack in the M4 model, which the M6 version retains.
M6 24-inch iMac vs M4 24-inch iMac: Storage, connectivity, peripherals
The M4 iMac offered a 256GB starting capacity, which goes up to 1TB for the 8-core model. The four-port version started at 256GB and goes up to 2TB.
This remains unchanged on the M6 model.
Depending on the chip tier you chose, there was a difference in how many things you could connect up. The lower-tier chip included two Thunderbolt 4 ports, while the upper had four of them.
The versions also differed by the use of Ethernet. The 8-core M4 model didn't have one unless you paid a $30 upgrade fee, which added it to the power brick, but this was standard for the 10-core version.
M6 24-inch iMac vs M4 24-inch iMac: Color-matched peripherals - Image Credit: Apple
This practice continues with the M6. However, the M6 model does this with a faster 2.5Gbps Ethernet port.
On to wireless connectivity, the M4 model ships with Wi-Fi 6E, along with Bluetooth 5.3. The M6, with Apple's new N1 chip, goes up to Wi-Fi 7 and Bluetooth 6.
There's also a color-matched Magic Keyboard and Magic Mouse or Trackpad with each model, though here too there's a difference on the M4 depending on the chip. The keyboard has Touch ID for the 10-core model, but it's an optional extra on the 8-core model.
While we would've liked for Apple to use the Touch ID keyboard across all models, it's sticking to the existing script here.
M6 24-inch iMac vs M4 24-inch iMac: Pricing
At launch, the M4 versions started from $1,299. However, the memory crisis meant prices had to rise in June, making the starting price $1,499 for the 8-core version, $1,699 for the 10-core
They both had 16GB of memory, 256GB of storage, and the stand instead of the VESA mount adapter.
Increasing the memory from 16GB to 24GB was $200 on both models. The 32GB was another $200 again, but it later became unavailable from Apple.
For storage, the 256GB to 512GB upgrade was $200, with 1TB a further $300. On the upper-tier M4 chip, it cost $500 to get from 1TB to 2TB.
The Magic Mouse was included by default, but you could pay an extra $50 to get the Magic Trackpad instead.
The Magic Keyboard without Touch ID could be updated to the Touch ID and Numeric Keypad edition for $80 for the 8-core model. It was $30 to upgrade the Touch ID-equipped Magic Keyboard to include the Numpad on the 10-core version.
Going from Standard glass to Nano-texture was a $200 upgrade, but only on the 10-core M4 model. Adding Ethernet to the 8-core model was $30.
The M6 versions are practically identical when it comes to the initial pricing levels of $1,299 and $1,499. They're also the same when it comes to memory upgrades, storage increases, and things like Nano-texture and keyboard changes.
Even the faster 2.5 Gigabit Ethernet option for the 10-core model is still only $30.
If you've got an Apple Silicon iMac, should you upgrade?
The last time we discussed the upgrade from the M1 iMac to the M4 iMac, the performance upgrade wasn't really enough to warrant M1 users moving to a new model.
However, the change is more significant this time from M1. The M6 is a much bigger jump, and thanks to those Neural Accelerators, it's a much better way to work with AI and machine learning tasks.
M6 24-inch iMac vs M4 24-inch iMac: Externally the same, internally different - Image Credit: Apple
The original M1 iMac was a great design at the time, and the M4 continued using it successfully. We could say the same for the M6 iMac, though the lack of changes is a tad disappointing.
OLED would've been nice. That's coming, but it's not clear when. New sizes wouldn't be that bad to have either.
As it stands, owners of the M1 iMac will probably see enough here to make the upgrade to M6. There's not as much change here for M4 iMac owners to make the leap, but they'd probably appreciate the product line continuing to get timely updates.
Where to buy Apple's M6 iMac and M4 iMac
Apple's new M6 iMac starts at $1,499 and will be available to preorder on October 28, 2026 at B&H Photo and Amazon.
The closeout M4 iMac is currently on sale from $1,455.99 at Amazon. A full rundown of the deals can be found in our M4 iMac Price Guide.
