Apple is reportedly shifting its focus to the M7 chip lineup, skipping higher-end M6 variants as it prioritizes technologies designed for AI workloads.
According to MacRumors, citing Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman on his podcast, Apple has introduced the base M6 chip in the Mac mini, with M6-powered iMac and entry-level MacBook Pro models also planned. However, the company reportedly intends to skip the M6 Pro, M6 Max, and M6 Ultra, moving directly from their M5 predecessors to the M7 lineup.
Gurman noted that high-end touchscreen MacBook Pro models featuring M7 Pro and M7 Max chips are expected to launch on November 6, while an entry-level MacBook Pro powered by the standard M7 is also slated the same time period. The M7 Ultra is reportedly planned for the first half of 2028, making a Mac Studio refresh in 2027 unlikely, MacRumors notes.
Meanwhile, the upcoming OLED MacBook Pro models are expected to retain the M5 Pro and M5 Max chips used in current models, with no processor upgrade planned until 2027, according to MacRumors. Separately, ZDNet reports that the new OLED models could feature a lighter design, a Dynamic Island replacing the notch, and optional 5G connectivity.
