Apple M6 iMac
The next iMac is expected to retain the current 24-inch form factor while moving from the existing M4 chip to Apple’s newer M6 platform.
The current iMac was introduced in October 2024 with the M4 chip and a 24-inch 4.5K Retina display. Apple currently sells it in seven colors: blue, purple, pink, orange, yellow, green and silver.
According to Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman, Apple is preparing an M6-powered iMac with new color options. Gurman has also indicated that there are no major design changes expected for this generation.
That means the biggest upgrade could be internal rather than visual.
M6 Could Bring a Significant Performance Upgrade
Apple officially introduced the M6 chip in August 2026. It is Apple’s first Mac chip built using a 2nm process, with a 12-core CPU, 12-core GPU and dual 16-core Neural Engine. Apple also lists up to 170GB/s of unified memory bandwidth.
Compared with the current iMac’s M4, the M6 therefore represents a substantial change in Apple’s silicon architecture.
However, the exact M6 configuration Apple will use in the iMac has not been announced. It is also too early to state an exact performance improvement for the upcoming iMac.
The current M4 iMac offers up to a 10-core CPU and 10-core GPU, up to 32GB of unified memory and up to 2TB of storage.
New iMac Colors Are Also Expected
Color could be one of the more visible changes.
Apple already uses a seven-color palette for the current iMac, and reports indicate that the M6 generation will introduce some new color options. However, the specific shades have not been revealed.
So far, there is no reliable information confirming colors such as black, red or other specific finishes.
The safest expectation is simply a refreshed color lineup, rather than naming unconfirmed shades.
What About an OLED iMac?
Apple is reportedly developing an OLED iMac, but that is not expected to arrive with the M6 refresh.
Reports indicate that an OLED version of the 24-inch iMac is still several years away. Therefore, the M6 model should not be described as an OLED iMac.
For now, the expected display upgrade is mainly the processor and color refresh rather than a major screen redesign.
MacBook Pro or MacBook Ultra Could Be a Much Bigger Change
The more interesting rumor concerns Apple’s high-end MacBook lineup.
Apple is reportedly developing redesigned 14-inch and 16-inch MacBook models with OLED displays and touchscreen support. The device could potentially receive the MacBook Ultra name and sit above the existing MacBook Pro models.
Apple’s current MacBook Pro lineup uses M5, M5 Pro and M5 Max chips, with 14-inch and 16-inch models. The high-end models currently use Liquid Retina XDR displays with ProMotion up to 120Hz.
OLED Display and Touchscreen
The rumored redesigned MacBook is expected to replace the current mini-LED display technology with OLED.
The more significant change would be touchscreen support.
Reports suggest Apple is preparing the first MacBook with direct touch input on the display. The idea would reportedly be to keep macOS as a desktop operating system while allowing users to interact directly with certain interface elements using touch.
Apple has also reportedly been developing software changes in macOS that could make touch interaction more practical.
However, the touchscreen MacBook remains a rumor, and Apple has not confirmed the feature.
Could It Be Called MacBook Ultra?
Possibly, but this is one of the less certain parts of the story.
Recent reports suggest Apple could position the redesigned touchscreen OLED laptop as a new MacBook Ultra above the existing M5 Pro and M5 Max MacBook Pro models.
There have also been reports about a potential M5 Ultra configuration, but this should not be presented as confirmed.
More importantly, Bloomberg previously reported that Apple plans to skip M6 Pro and M6 Max, moving toward M7 Pro and M7 Max instead.
That is why some reports currently expect the first redesigned touchscreen MacBook to use M5 Pro and M5 Max, rather than M6 Pro or M6 Max.
Thinner Design and Possible Dynamic Island
The OLED touchscreen MacBook could also receive a significant chassis redesign.
Reported changes include a thinner body, a redesigned display structure and potentially a Dynamic Island-style camera cutout replacing the current MacBook notch.
A reinforced hinge is also reportedly being considered because a touchscreen display introduces additional physical pressure when users interact with it.
These details remain unconfirmed until Apple announces the product.
M6 iMac vs OLED MacBook: What We Know
| Feature | M6 iMac | OLED MacBook / MacBook Ultra |
| Status | Reported for 2026 | Less certain |
| Expected chip | M6 | M5 Pro / M5 Max reported |
| Display | 24-inch Retina expected | OLED rumored |
| Touchscreen | No | Reported |
| New colors | Reported | Unknown |
| Major redesign | Not expected | Reported |
| Possible new name | iMac | MacBook Ultra |
| Launch window | Before end of 2026 | Late 2026 or early 2027 |
| Price | Not announced | Not announced |
The difference in certainty is important. Reports consistently point toward an M6 iMac refresh, while the OLED touchscreen MacBook has a more complicated timeline and could slip into 2027.
When Could the New Macs Launch?
October is currently an important window for Apple’s remaining 2026 hardware announcements. Reports have pointed to the M6 iMac and base M6 MacBook Pro as possible October products.
The OLED touchscreen MacBook is harder to pin down. Current reporting puts it somewhere between late 2026 and early 2027, with supply constraints potentially affecting the schedule.
Apple has not announced a launch date for either rumored product.
What to Expect From Apple’s Next Mac Lineup
The M6 iMac appears to be a relatively straightforward evolution of Apple’s colorful all-in-one desktop: a newer 2nm M6 chip, refreshed colors and largely familiar hardware.
The rumored OLED touchscreen MacBook would be a much larger change. If Apple releases it, the combination of OLED, touch input, a thinner chassis and potentially new MacBook Ultra branding could mark a significant redesign of the MacBook Pro family.
For now, however, the iMac and MacBook rumors should be kept separate in terms of confidence: M6 iMac is a more established report, while the OLED touchscreen MacBook remains considerably more uncertain.
FAQs
1. Is Apple launching an M6 iMac in 2026?
Reports indicate Apple is preparing a refreshed 24-inch iMac with the M6 chip and new color options before the end of 2026, but Apple has not officially announced it.
2. Will the M6 iMac have a new design?
Current reports suggest the M6 iMac will retain the existing basic design rather than receiving a major redesign.
3. Will the M6 iMac have an OLED display?
No OLED upgrade is expected for the M6 generation. Reports suggest Apple’s OLED iMac project is still several years away.
4. Will the next MacBook Pro have an OLED touchscreen?
Reports indicate Apple is developing 14-inch and 16-inch MacBook models with OLED displays and touchscreen support, but the company has not confirmed them.
5. Will Apple launch a MacBook Ultra?
Reports suggest Apple could use the MacBook Ultra name for its future high-end touchscreen OLED laptop, but the branding remains unconfirmed.
6. When could the OLED MacBook launch?
Current reporting places the redesigned OLED touchscreen MacBook between late 2026 and early 2027, with possible delays.
Related Articles:
- Mac vs Windows in 2026: Which Operating System Is Better for Students, Professionals, Creators and Gamers?
- iPhone vs Android: Which One Is Actually Better for You?
- Apple iPhone Price Hike in India: Reasons, Impact and What Buyers Should Know
Source :
The new launch information has not been officially confirmed by Apple .
