Apple to launch M6 iMac with new colors before the end of 2026

Apple is preparing to release a new 24-inch iMac powered by its upcoming M6 processor before the end of the year. According to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman, the refreshed all-in-one desktop will also introduce new color options to the lineup.

Writing in his latest Power On newsletter, Gurman notes that the M6 iMac will replace the current M4 model that originally launched in October 2024. This release pattern indicates that Apple is skipping the M5 generation for its consumer desktop, much like it bypassed the M2 chip previously. The upcoming M6 chip is expected to be Apple's first Mac processor built on a 2-nanometer manufacturing process, which should provide notable improvements in both performance and power efficiency.

While Gurman confirmed that new colors are planned, he did not specify the exact shades. The current iMac is available in seven colors: green, yellow, orange, pink, purple, blue, and silver. When Apple transitioned the iMac to the M4 model, the company retained the same seven options but slightly adjusted the vibrancy of the tones. It remains unclear whether this upcoming update will introduce entirely new shades or simply refine the existing palette once again.

Beyond the processor upgrade and color tweaks, no major design changes are expected for the 2026 iMac. The overall physical footprint and 24-inch display will remain identical to the current generation. While reports indicate that Apple is actively developing a 24-inch iMac with an OLED panel, that substantial display upgrade is reportedly still several years away from reaching consumers.

The M6 iMac is expected to be part of a busy hardware cycle for Apple later this year. The company is also rumored to be preparing a base 14-inch MacBook Pro equipped with the M6 chip, alongside higher-end hardware updates like the Mac Studio featuring M5 Max and M5 Ultra configurations.