Approaching 2026, rumors about the Mac have recently become increasingly popular, along with Apple’s release schedule for next year. However, there is still no news coming from Apple’s iconic all-in-one desktop computer, iMac.
The last series of this device, the iMac M4, was released a year ago. Meanwhile, the company released the MacBook Pro M5 a month ago. Through this situation, it would seem appropriate for the company to issue an M5 update for the iMac next year, possibly in the spring, along with the MacBook Air M5.
Or perhaps not. Given that there haven’t been any rumors of an upcoming iMac, the company might be approaching its product cycle differently. We might observe lengthier intervals between iMac updates, given Apple’s prior chip history, the iMac’s construction, and its intended market. Here are the details:
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Apple’s Longer Update Cycle On iMac With Nothing To Change
The Apple iMac’s longer update periods are nothing new. This occurred in the last years of the Intel iMac and, more recently, when Apple upgraded the 2021 M1 iMac with an M3 model in 2023 instead of using the M2 processor.
A year later, the company introduced the M4 iMac, which might have increased expectations that the iMac would be updated with every new chip generation. However, a number of rumors have indicated that Apple intended to abandon the M3 chip due to its low yields and high production costs as a first-generation 3nm processor. The business intended to replace the M3 with the M4, which was produced using the more affordable, sophisticated 3nm technology.
In regard to this, the M4 iMac might be an unpredictable exception. That precedent is valid because Apple created a longer cycle with the M1-to-M3 changeover. Although the only M6 Macs we’ve heard of so far are MacBook Pros, the next iMac may be introduced as early as late 2026, when the M6 is anticipated to make its debut. Apple may continue to use even-numbered M processors going forward.
The thing is, iMac doesn’t need to be updated every time Apple releases a new M-series chip, as the base chip is already plenty fast enough for most users. The 15–25 percent performance boost in the latest chips isn’t noticeable to iMac owners, and the M4 iMac itself is already a significant leap forward compared to Intel models. Upgrading every two years or so makes more sense, especially since the current iMac design is still modern and its 24-inch LCD display will remain relevant until OLED technology becomes more affordable.
Users could see significant but incremental benefits from anticipated improvements to the upcoming Apple iMac, particularly if Apple focuses on faster chips, better display technology, or more advanced AI-powered capabilities. A higher-quality panel could improve color accuracy and the overall viewing experience, while a more powerful processor would deliver smoother performance for creative activities. Deeper AI integration into the device could also enable better photo editing, personalization, and real-time productivity tools. Professionals and power users could see noticeable improvements in speed, visual quality, and workflow efficiency, though these improvements may not significantly impact day-to-day use for casual users.
However, the M4 iMac already brings many important improvements, such as 16GB of base RAM, a 12MP Center Stage camera, and a Nano glass option, so the room for major innovation in the M5 iMac is quite limited. Furthermore, the iMac market isn’t large enough for annual updates, so an M5 iMac is unlikely to arrive anytime soon. Significant updates will likely come in the M6 ​​chip era, and likely only a chip refresh, not a major design change.
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The Disappearance Of The Big iMac: Indicating A Slow Death?
Analyst Ming-Chi Kuo declared in 2023 that Apple would launch a “high-end 32-inch LED iMac mini in 2025.” Such an iMac will “come in late 2024 or 2025,” according to a 2023 report. However, he also stated that the company had “cost concerns” about the product. Thus, it’s very obvious that a huge iMac won’t be released because this year is just a few weeks away.
After four years of use, the iMac Pro was retired in 2021. The Mac mini M4 Pro and the Mac Studio are the two desktops that Apple now offers to satisfy consumers looking for more potent CPUs. A new M-series iMac Pro doesn’t appear to have a place. Although the Mac mini and Mac Studio aren’t all-in-one devices, there will be less need for professional devices if there isn’t much of a market for iMacs. Additionally, a huge OLED display might still be too expensive. Prototypes of the iMac Pro are reportedly already in Apple Park’s covert labs, but the market may decide that the device will never be released.
It’s unbelievable that the company would abruptly stop producing the iMac, one of the most recognizable products from the Steve Jobs era. However, the iMac is gradually becoming less relevant due to slower updates, fewer design changes, and dwindling sales. The iMac is less of a vital member of the Mac family and more of a relic from a bygone period, as the world has moved on to MacBooks and iPads.
The present model isn’t very good, but it’s also not horrible. And there’s no sign that this will alter anytime soon. The once-iconic iMac may be gradually disappearing as the iPad platform grows more potent and the MacBook becomes more adaptable, with speculations of touchscreen compatibility in 2027.
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