Apple’s M6 iMac Could Launch Later This Year With New Colors

Apple could be preparing a new 24-inch iMac for launch later this year, with a faster M6 chip and refreshed color options reportedly planned for the company’s all-in-one desktop.

According to Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman, writing in his latest Power On newsletter, Apple’s next iMac update is nearing release and could arrive before the end of 2026. The report suggests the new model will largely retain the design of the current 24-inch iMac while introducing a new generation of Apple silicon and additional color choices.

M6 chip expected to headline the update

The biggest change is expected to be the move from the current M4 processor to Apple’s upcoming M6 chip. The existing 24-inch iMac was introduced in October 2024 and remains powered by the M4.

Apple’s current iMac uses an M4 chip with up to a 10-core CPU and 10-core GPU, along with a 16-core Neural Engine and 120GB/s memory bandwidth. The machine supports up to 32GB of unified memory and up to 2TB of storage.

Details about the M6 configuration for the iMac have not yet been officially confirmed. However, recent reports indicate that Apple’s next-generation M6 platform is expected to focus heavily on performance and AI capabilities. AppleInsider has also reported that the M6 generation could have a relatively short product cycle before the company moves toward its M7 generation.

For the iMac, that means the processor upgrade may be the most meaningful internal change in the upcoming model.

New iMac colors reportedly coming

Apple is also said to be preparing new color options for the M6 iMac, although the exact shades have not been revealed.

The current iMac is available in seven colors: blue, purple, pink, orange, yellow, green and silver. Apple introduced those colors alongside the M4 iMac in 2024, giving the desktop a distinctive look compared with other Macs.

The company could either add new shades to the existing lineup or replace some of the current options. For now, there is no reliable information identifying the specific colors Apple has in development.

The color refresh would also fit Apple’s approach to the iMac, where exterior design and color have remained an important part of the product’s identity.

No major design overhaul expected

Despite the new chip and colors, the upcoming iMac is not expected to receive a major redesign.

The current 24-inch model uses the ultra-thin all-in-one design Apple introduced with the M1 iMac in 2021. Reports indicate that Apple plans to retain the familiar chassis for the M6 generation rather than introducing a dramatically different form factor.

The current machine features a 24-inch 4.5K Retina display with a 4480-by-2520 resolution, 500 nits of brightness, P3 wide color and True Tone. It also includes a 12MP Center Stage camera and supports up to two external 6K displays, depending on configuration.

Those specifications are not expected to change significantly with the M6 refresh based on the current reports.

OLED iMac remains further away

Apple is reportedly working on a more substantial iMac upgrade that would eventually bring OLED display technology to the 24-inch desktop. However, that model is not expected to arrive with the upcoming M6 refresh.

Instead, reports suggest that an OLED iMac remains several years away. That means consumers waiting for an iMac with a major display upgrade may have a considerably longer wait than those simply looking for a faster Apple silicon-based desktop.

When could the M6 iMac launch?

Apple has not announced a launch date for the new iMac, but Gurman says the M6 models appear to be close to release and should become available before the end of 2026.

Other reports have similarly pointed to a late-2026 launch, potentially putting the new iMac among Apple’s fall hardware releases. 9to5Mac describes the upcoming machine as the first iMac refresh in roughly two years, while other reports also expect the overall design to remain largely unchanged.

For buyers considering the current M4 iMac, the reported timing could make waiting worthwhile if they are not in a hurry to upgrade. Apple has not yet confirmed the M6 iMac, its pricing, exact specifications or launch date.

Until the company makes an official announcement, the M6 iMac should therefore be treated as a reported upcoming product rather than a confirmed release.