Apple is expected to launch its next-generation M6 chip this fall, but rumors indicate the new chip could skip a number of new products.

Apple still has some M5 products rumored to launch in the months ahead, but we’re also expecting the start of the M6 chip generation.

Recently, Mark Gurman at Bloomberg has offered some surprising details on Apple’s plans for the M6 and beyond.

He reported that Apple plans to ship only a base M6 chip, with no M6 Pro or M6 Max in the works. Instead, the company is reportedly accelerating its M7 timelines because M7 “is designed primarily around major advancements to on-device AI processing.”

The main product Gurman specifically highlights as getting an M6 chip is a new base model MacBook Pro with the current industrial design.

Does that mean Apple will only have one M6 product before moving on to M7? Probably not.

Gurman says Apple could launch the M7 chip “as early as the first half of next year.” But there are a couple new products arriving early next year that could debut before then with an M6.

1. A new iPad Pro is expected in spring 2027. While it might be the first M7 product, the more likely outcome is that it will include the M6 chip.
2. A new MacBook Air is rumored for early 2027 too, and it’s another strong candidate for an M6 update.

Beyond those two possibilities though, and the base MacBook Pro it sounds like the M6 chip generation will entirely skip many other Apple products. These include the Mac mini, iMac, Mac Studio, and Apple’s high-end MacBook Pros.

Are you planning to upgrade to a new Mac or iPad soon? How much does the chip matter to your purchase? Let us know in the comments.

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