– Apple has scrapped faster versions of the M6 chip to focus on the M7 series for better AI performance.
– The standard Apple M6 remains on track for late 2026 with improved AI accelerator and memory bandwidth.
– The M7 series launches in 2027: standard M7 in H1, M7 Pro/Max in H2, and M7 Ultra in 2028.
– The MacBook Ultra is delayed or may launch with existing M5 Pro/Max chips due to the M6 Pro/Max cancellation.
– Apple’s chip roadmap shift is driven by the need to stay competitive in the AI race.
Apple Alters Chip Plans for Future Macs
According to the latest information from Bloomberg, Apple has made significent changes to its hardware plans. Since the launch of the Apple M1 in 2020, Apple has offered both a “Pro” and a “Max” chip in every chip generation. However, the faster versions of the Apple M6 are now reportedly scrapped.
Focus Shifts to M7 For AI Performance
Instead, Apple is reportedly already focusing on the Apple M7, which is set to hit the market in the first half of 2027, as well as the Apple M7 Pro and M7 Max, which are expected to follow in the second half of next year; the Apple M7 Ultra for the Mac Studio is reportedly not even planned until 2028. The reason for this change in plans is reportedly that Apple doesn’t want to fall behind in the AI race, as the Apple M7 series is expected to bring significant improvements in AI performance.
M6 Specs and Releases Still on Track
The standard Apple M6 is still scheduled for the second half of 2026, however, and is expected to be used in the most affordable 14-inch MacBook Pro ($1,549 on Amazon), among other models. This chip is expected to deliver all-around better performance than the Apple M5 , but above all, it is expected to feature a faster AI accelerator and higher memory bandwidth of around 200 GB/s, up from 153 GB/s. The memory bandwidth is expected to benefit AI workflows. In addition, the fastest Apple M6 is expected to offer twelve GPU cores, two more than the Apple M5.
Implications for the MacBook Ultra
It remains unclear what this change in the chip roadmap means for the MacBook Ultra. The thinner, more expensive MacBook Pro with an OLED touchscreen and punch-hole camera was originally scheduled to launch in late 2026 or early 2027. Since the Apple M6 Pro and M6 Max are reportedly being scrapped, the MacBook Ultra will either have to launch with the already available Apple M5 Pro and M5 Max, or be postponed until the second half of 2027.
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