On October 27, 2026, Apple announced a new 24-inch iMac on the Mac desktop lineup. The iMac M6 pairs the new M6 chip with Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 6, and up to 2x faster SSD performance (Apple Newsroom). Pre-orders open October 28, it ships November 6, and it starts at $1,499 in the U.S.
The short answer to “is it worth it?” is this. The new iMac keeps the same design but gets the M6 chip and new connectivity hardware, which are confirmed specs. The big performance numbers are Apple’s own claims, and no one has independently tested them yet. If you’re on an Intel iMac, this deserves a serious look once reviews land. If you bought an M3 or M4 iMac, there’s little reason to rush.
What Happened
Apple’s press release and coverage from MacRumors and The Verge lay out the details below.
Key dates
- Announced: October 27, 2026
- Pre-orders open: October 28, 2026. MacRumors reports a 10:10 a.m. Pacific start. Apple’s release lists only the date.
- Available: November 6, 2026
The M6 chip comes in two configurations
- 10-core CPU / 10-core GPU (the base model)
- 12-core CPU / 12-core GPU (the higher tier)
Apple says the CPU and GPU both have Neural Accelerators in each core. The chip also has a Dual 16-core Neural Engine, the part of the chip that handles AI tasks. Apple says the 12-core versions have two more CPU cores and two more GPU cores than before.
Apple says the new iMac delivers up to 5x faster on-device AI performance than the M4, and up to 18x faster performance than the most popular Intel-based iMac. Both are Apple’s own figures from its September 2026 testing (Apple Newsroom).
Connectivity gets the biggest confirmed upgrade
- Wi-Fi 7 and Bluetooth 6: Apple confirms both. MacRumors reports they come from Apple’s own N1 wireless chip, up from Wi-Fi 6E and Bluetooth 5.3 on the M4 model.
- 2.5 Gigabit Ethernet: Apple says it delivers up to 2.5x faster wired connectivity than the previous generation, and its footnotes say the option is available on 12-core models. MacRumors reports it comes standard on the 12-core model and is a $30 option on the base model, which has two Thunderbolt 4 ports. Check Apple’s configurator for your model.
- Thunderbolt 4: Apple says the iMac has up to four Thunderbolt 4 ports and supports up to two 6K external displays. Its footnotes say all four USB-C ports support Thunderbolt 4 on 12-core models; MacRumors reports the base model has two. If a monitor won’t connect, see our external monitor troubleshooting guide.
Storage, display, and design
- SSD: Apple says SSD read and write performance is up to 2x faster than the previous generation.
- Display: The 24-inch 4.5K Retina display carries over, with 500 nits of brightness. Apple notes the actual diagonal is 23.5 inches, and a nano-texture option is available on 12-core models.
- Design: The design is the same thin, colorful enclosure. MacRumors notes the design is unchanged from the previous model.
- Colors: The same seven colors return: blue, green, pink, yellow, purple, orange, and silver.
- Software: The new iMac ships with macOS 27. Apple’s footnotes say Siri AI arrives in beta in macOS 27.2, and Apple Intelligence features depend on supported languages and regions.
Pricing (U.S.)
| Configuration | Standard price | Education price |
|---|---|---|
| 10-core CPU / 10-core GPU | $1,499 | $1,449 |
| 12-core CPU / 12-core GPU | $1,699 | $1,599 |
Source: Apple Newsroom, October 27, 2026. Pre-orders open in 35 countries and regions; this table lists U.S. pricing only.
Notice that the education discount is bigger on the 12-core model: $100 off, versus $50 off the base model. If you qualify for education pricing and were already leaning toward the higher tier, that narrows the gap between the two to $150.
What Apple claims vs. what’s verified
This is the part that matters most if you’re deciding whether to buy. Apple made several eye-catching performance claims:
- Up to 18x faster than the most popular Intel-based iMac, according to Apple’s own press release
- Up to 5x faster on-device AI performance compared to the M4, according to Apple’s own press release
As of October 27, 2026, neither claim has been independently tested. No independent benchmarks or hands-on reviews exist yet, and Apple’s footnotes say the figures come from its own September 2026 testing. They may well hold up once reviewers get hardware in hand.
The hardware specs are a different story. Apple confirms the core counts, Wi-Fi 7 and Bluetooth 6, 2.5 Gigabit Ethernet, up to four Thunderbolt 4 ports, support for up to two 6K displays, the 24-inch 4.5K Retina display, macOS 27, the prices, and the dates. Apple’s speed multipliers for Ethernet (up to 2.5x) and the SSD (up to 2x) are also official, though they’re Apple’s own measurements.
How It Stacks Up
Against the previous iMac (M4)
This is the comparison most readers care about. Here’s what changed, according to Apple and MacRumors:
| Feature | Previous iMac (M4) | New iMac (M6) |
|---|---|---|
| Design | Thin, colorful 24-inch enclosure | Unchanged |
| Display | 24-inch 4.5K Retina | Same 24-inch 4.5K Retina, 500 nits |
| Colors | Seven options | Same seven options |
| CPU / GPU | Up to 10-core / 10-core | Up to 12-core / 12-core |
| Wi-Fi / Bluetooth | Wi-Fi 6E / Bluetooth 5.3 | Wi-Fi 7 / Bluetooth 6 (Apple N1 chip, per MacRumors) |
| Ethernet | Gigabit Ethernet | 2.5 Gigabit Ethernet, up to 2.5x faster per Apple |
| Thunderbolt 4 and displays | Not compared by Apple | Up to four ports; up to two 6K external displays |
| SSD speed | Baseline | Up to 2x faster read and write, per Apple |
| On-device AI | Baseline | Up to 5x faster than M4, per Apple; not independently tested |
Sources: Apple Newsroom; MacRumors. If you want a deeper look at how the two chip generations differ, our M6 vs M4 chip comparison breaks it down.
The pattern is clear. This is an inside-only refresh. If you already like how your iMac looks, nothing about the new one will look different on your desk.
Against Windows all-in-ones
No one has published a head-to-head benchmark between the iMac M6 and a specific Windows all-in-one yet, so any performance verdict would be guesswork.
The wireless picture is clearer. With Wi-Fi 7 and Bluetooth 6, the iMac now supports the newest generation of each wireless standard rather than trailing it. Whether it’s faster than a similarly priced Windows machine is a question independent testing will have to answer.
Against Google Pixel and Samsung Galaxy
There’s no fair comparison here. Pixel and Galaxy are phone and tablet lines, not 24-inch all-in-one desktops. Neither Google nor Samsung sells a direct Android-based equivalent to the iMac. If you’re coming from an Android phone, the more relevant question is how well the iMac fits with the phone you already have, not how it compares to a device that doesn’t exist.
The Reaction
Reaction is still forming. On announcement day, coverage consisted of news reports from outlets like MacRumors and The Verge rather than hands-on impressions, since no one outside Apple has tested the hardware yet. That quiet fits a refresh that keeps the design and focuses on internals. Expect the real conversation to start when independent reviews arrive.
Our Take
Did Apple do it better, later, or worse?
On the evidence available today, Apple did it later on wireless and unproven on performance.
Wi-Fi 7 and Bluetooth 6 are the clearest wins, and they’re confirmed specs rather than marketing claims. They bring the iMac up to the newest Wi-Fi and Bluetooth generations. That’s catching up, not leaping ahead.
The performance story could be the bigger deal, but right now it rests entirely on Apple’s own marketing claims. Apple says the new iMac is up to 18x faster than the most popular Intel-based model, a comparison that’s flattering by design since Intel iMacs predate Apple silicon.
Apple’s separate claim of up to 5x faster on-device AI versus the M4 is more useful for current owners deciding whether to upgrade. Both figures come straight from Apple’s press materials, and neither has been tested independently as of announcement day.
How Wi-Fi 7 and the N1 chip actually help you
Wi-Fi 7 is the newest Wi-Fi standard. On paper it offers faster, more reliable wireless connections. But there’s a catch: you only get those benefits with a Wi-Fi 7 router. If your router is a few years old, your new iMac will still connect, but it will be limited by your router’s older standard, and real-world speed also depends on your network and environment.
If you’re unsure what your router supports, read our explainer on what Wi-Fi 7 is and whether you need a new router for it before you factor that into your budget.
Bluetooth 6 is backward compatible, so your current mouse, keyboard, and headphones will still pair. Its newer features only apply when an accessory supports them too.
2.5 Gigabit Ethernet, which Apple says is up to 2.5x faster than the previous generation’s wired connection, is aimed at people who move large files over a home or office network, like photographers backing up to a network drive. MacRumors reports it’s standard on the 12-core model and a $30 option on the base model, so check the configurator before you order. You’ll only see the gain if your switch or router supports 2.5Gb speeds.
Should you upgrade?
If you have an Intel iMac: This is where the upgrade case is strongest. Apple’s performance claims, including the up to 18x figure, are unverified, but moving from Intel to Apple silicon is a big jump either way.
You’ll also get macOS 27 and Apple Intelligence, with Siri AI arriving in beta in macOS 27.2, according to Apple. Our guide on whether to upgrade from an Intel iMac in 2026 goes into more detail. Our advice is to pre-order only if you need a new machine now. Otherwise, wait a couple of weeks for independent reviews.
If you have an M1 iMac: Apple claims up to 2.5x faster app performance and up to 12x faster on-device AI than the M1 iMac, but no independent data yet shows how much you’ll notice. If your M1 iMac still feels fast for what you do, wait for benchmarks. Upgrade if you specifically want Wi-Fi 7 and already own (or plan to buy) a Wi-Fi 7 router.
If you have an M3 or M4 iMac: We’d skip this one for now. You get the same design, the same 24-inch 4.5K display, and the same colors. The main changes are faster wireless, faster wired networking, and Apple’s claimed speed gains, which no one has tested independently yet. That’s not enough to justify spending $1,499 or more on a computer that looks and works much like the one you have.
If you’re switching from Windows: The iMac M6 is a sensible entry point if you want a simple all-in-one with a great screen. Just know you’re buying on Apple’s word for performance until reviews come out.
What to do next
Pick one step that fits your situation. If you’re on an Intel iMac and ready to buy, check Apple’s iMac page on October 28 to compare the 10-core and 12-core configurations side by side. Consider the 12-core model if you want 2.5 Gigabit Ethernet and four Thunderbolt 4 ports, both of which Apple lists on that configuration.
If you plan to expand your setup, the iMac’s Thunderbolt 4 ports work with a Thunderbolt dock or an external SSD for extra storage. Apple says the iMac supports up to two 6K external displays, too. Many people pair a new iMac with a fresh Wi-Fi 7 router, too. Before buying one, check whether your current router is actually limiting your speeds, since range, interference and your internet plan matter too.
Wrapping Up
The iMac M6 is a familiar-looking machine with confirmed connectivity upgrades and promising but unverified speed claims. Pre-orders start October 28, 2026, and it arrives November 6, starting at $1,499 ($1,449 with education pricing). Intel iMac owners finally have a strong reason to look. M3 and M4 owners can comfortably sit this one out.
Our honest take: this is the right iMac to buy if you need one, but it’s not one to rush. Give independent reviewers a couple of weeks to test Apple’s claims of up to 18x faster performance over Intel iMacs and up to 5x faster on-device AI than the M4, then decide.
| Your current iMac | Our recommendation | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Intel | Strong candidate; ideally wait for reviews | Biggest potential jump, plus modern AI features |
| M1 | Wait for benchmarks | Gains likely, but unverified |
| M3 / M4 | Skip for now | Same design and display; main changes are wireless and Ethernet |
| Coming from Windows | Reasonable pick | Simple all-in-one; performance not yet independently tested |