Apple will ship its iMac with new color options by late 2026. The refresh pairs the updated palette with either the M5 chip, already available in MacBook and iPad Pro, or the M6 silicon expected later in the year. The case will remain identical to the 2021 design.
Driving the news: Bloomberg's Mark Gurman says production starts later this year with shipments scheduled for late 2026, matching Apple's typical two‑year upgrade cycle for the all‑in‑one desktop line.
The chassis stays put: The iMac keeps the flat‑back, thin‑profile case introduced in 2021. Buyers hoping for a redesigned form factor will need to wait for a future model, while current owners gain only a visual refresh through new color options.
Chip timing drives silicon choice: The M5 currently powers the MacBook, iPad Pro, and Vision Pro. If Apple launches before the M6 becomes widely available, the iMac will likely feature the M5 chip; a later release could include the higher‑performance M6.
Manufacturing innovation on deck: Apple's 3D‑printed aluminum process, first deployed in Apple Watch Ultra, may reach iMac production. The company has noted this method can reduce waste and enable more complex shapes, though the practical benefits for end users remain to be seen.
What to watch: Which colors will Apple choose, and will a new chassis arrive before 2027? Those answers will define the desktop Mac market through the next product cycle.
