Apple launched its next-generation M6 chip this week in the new Mac mini. But several more products will get M6 upgrades soon. Here’s the rumored release schedule for M6 Macs and iPads.
Fall 2026: MacBook Pro and iMac
This fall, likely in October, Apple is rumored to launch two more M6 Macs:
The MacBook Pro will be only the 14-inch base model. Per Mark Gurman, Apple is skipping Pro and Max versions of the M6 chip. As a result, only the entry MacBook Pro will get M6 while the next Pro-level chips coming will be M7 Pro and M7 Max in 2027.
Apple’s new iMac isn’t expected to change much beyond the M6 chip. The only other rumored upgrade is a fresh slate of colors. But the jump from M4 to M6 should make the new model a worthy update nonetheless.
Notably absent from this list is the rumored MacBook Ultra. It’s expected to launch in the fall, but will use M5 Pro and M5 Max chips instead of the M6.
Spring 2027: iPad Pro and MacBook Air
The first 2027 products rumored to get M6 upgrades are:
Apple last updated the iPad Pro in fall 2025, when it got the M5 chip. With rumors of a spring 2027 update coming, the product will follow its typical 18-month upgrade cycle.
Beyond getting the M6 chip, Apple’s new iPad Pro is expected to add a vapor chamber for cooling. That should boost sustained performance in the ultra-thin device.
The M6 MacBook Air is expected to arrive around the same time as the iPad Pro. Anywhere in the February-April window is possible, but based on Apple’s history, March is a safe bet.
Other than a chip upgrade, there are minimal rumors about the new MacBook Air. It should retain the same design as the M5 model. And reporting dates an OLED upgrade as coming no sooner than 2028, so the display will likely be unchanged too.
One potential benefit of M6 for both the iPad Pro and MacBook Air is that it could boost battery life. Apple says the M6’s 2-nanometer process brings “a major leap in performance and power efficiency.”
Are you planning to upgrade to any of these new M6 products? Why or why not? Let us know in the comments.
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