The Apple M6 chip made its debut this week inside the new Mac mini, but that launch is only the start. Several additional Macs and iPads are expected to receive M6 upgrades over the coming months. Here is the rumored release schedule for every M6 device on the way.
Fall 2026: MacBook Pro and iMac
Apple is rumored to introduce two more M6 Macs this fall, most likely in October: an updated MacBook Pro and a refreshed iMac.
The MacBook Pro update will be limited to the 14-inch base model. According to Mark Gurman, Apple is skipping Pro and Max variants of the M6 chip entirely. That means only the entry-level MacBook Pro gets M6 this cycle, while the next Pro-tier silicon will arrive as the M7 Pro and M7 Max in 2027.
The new iMac is not expected to change much beyond the chip. The primary additional upgrade reported so far is a new range of colors. Even so, the jump from M4 to M6 should make the refreshed model a meaningful improvement.
One product missing from the fall lineup is the rumored MacBook Ultra. It is still expected to launch this fall, but it will reportedly use M5 Pro and M5 Max chips rather than the M6.
Spring 2027: iPad Pro and MacBook Air
The first 2027 devices tipped for M6 are the iPad Pro and the MacBook Air. Apple last updated the iPad Pro in fall 2025 with the M5 chip, so a spring 2027 refresh would keep the product on its usual 18-month upgrade cadence.
Beyond the M6, the next iPad Pro is expected to add a vapor chamber for cooling, which should improve sustained performance in the ultra-thin tablet.
The M6 MacBook Air is expected to launch around the same time. A window between February and April is possible, though Apple’s history points to March as the likely target. Reporting suggests the design will match the current M5 model, and an OLED display upgrade is not expected before 2028, so the screen should remain unchanged.
What M6 Brings to Battery and Performance
Both the iPad Pro and MacBook Air could see improved battery life thanks to the new silicon. Apple describes the M6’s 2-nanometer process as delivering “a major leap in performance and power efficiency.”
With the M6 already shipping in the Mac mini, the next wave of upgrades is set to begin this fall with the 14-inch MacBook Pro and the iMac.
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Image: 9to5mac.com
