New iMac with M6: what's new, which model to buy, and is it worth upgrading?

Apple announced a new iMac with the M6 chip on 27 October 2026. It looks exactly like the last one, but the inside is a solid step up: more CPU and GPU cores, Wi-Fi 7, faster storage and a much bigger jump in on-device AI. Prices start at $1,499 (₹1,74,900), the same as the M4 model it replaces after Apple’s June price rise. Pre-orders open on 28 October and it arrives on Friday, 6 November.

We haven’t used the M6 iMac yet. This guide is based on Apple’s announcement and spec sheets, and the performance figures are Apple’s own claims, so treat them as a best case until independent reviews land.

iMac with M6 at a glance

	10-core model	12-core model
US price	$1,499 ($1,449 education)	$1,699 ($1,599 education)
India price	₹1,74,900 (₹1,68,900 education)	₹1,99,900 (₹1,87,900 education)
Chip	M6, 10-core CPU, 10-core GPU	M6, 12-core CPU, 12-core GPU
Memory	16GB (up to 24GB)	16GB (up to 32GB)
Storage	256GB (up to 1TB)	256GB (up to 2TB)
Ports	2 × Thunderbolt / USB 4	4 × Thunderbolt 4
External displays	One	Up to two
Ethernet	Optional 2.5Gb	2.5Gb included
Touch ID keyboard	Optional	Included
Nano-texture glass	Not available	Optional

Both have the same 24-inch 4.5K Retina display (500 nits), 12MP Center Stage camera, six speakers, Wi-Fi 7 and Bluetooth 6. They come in seven colours: blue, green, pink, yellow, purple, orange and silver.

What’s new compared with the M4 iMac

• More cores for the same money. The $1,499 model now has a 10-core CPU and 10-core GPU, where the M4 base model had 8 of each. The top model goes from 10 to 12 cores of each.
• Faster, in Apple’s tests. Apple says the M6 iMac is up to 1.5x faster than M4 in apps like Excel, up to 2x faster at graphics work like photo editing, and up to 2x faster in games with ray tracing.
• A big jump for AI. Each GPU core now has its own Neural Accelerator, and the Neural Engine is doubled up. Apple claims up to 5x faster on-device AI than M4 when processing prompts for a local model in LM Studio. If you’ve been curious about running AI models on your own computer, this is the headline upgrade.
• Wi-Fi 7 and Bluetooth 6, plus 2.5Gb Ethernet, which is included on the 12-core model and optional on the 10-core one.
• Storage up to 2x faster, so big photo libraries and video projects open quicker.
• macOS 27 and Siri AI. It ships with macOS 27, and Apple’s new, more conversational Siri arrives in beta with macOS 27.2.

What hasn’t changed

• The design. Same thin body, same colourful stand, same colour-matched keyboard and mouse.
• The screen. Still 24 inches (23.5 inches measured diagonally), 4.5K and 500 nits. There’s still no bigger iMac.
• The starting memory and storage. 16GB and 256GB, which is fine for memory but tight for storage (more on that below).
• Two ports on the cheaper model. The $1,499 iMac still has just two USB-C ports. You need the $1,699 model for four.

Which iMac should you buy?

The 10-core model ($1,499 / ₹1,74,900) is right for a family computer, a student’s desk, or anyone doing browsing, email, documents, video calls and light photo editing. Its limits are practical rather than about speed: two ports, one external display, and Touch ID costs extra.

The 12-core model ($1,699 / ₹1,99,900) is the better buy for most people who’ll keep it for years. For $200 more you get two extra Thunderbolt ports, 2.5Gb Ethernet, a Touch ID keyboard, support for a second external monitor, and a faster chip. If you’d add Touch ID and Ethernet to the cheaper model anyway, the gap shrinks further.

Memory and storage:

• 16GB is plenty for everyday use. Go for 24GB if you edit photos or video, keep lots of apps open, or want to run local AI models. Memory can’t be upgraded later.
• 256GB fills up fast, especially with a photo library. Get 512GB, or plan on an external drive plugged into a Thunderbolt port.

Should you upgrade?

• From an Intel iMac: yes. Apple claims up to 18x faster performance than the most popular Intel iMac, and you gain Apple Intelligence, which Intel Macs can’t run.
• From an M1 iMac: it’s a worthwhile jump. Apple claims up to 2.5x faster everyday performance and 3.3x faster graphics than M1, plus Wi-Fi 7 and a better camera.
• From an M3 or M4 iMac: probably not. Unless you need the AI speed-up, yours will feel nearly as quick for everyday work.
• Tempted by a discounted M4 iMac? Only if the saving is big. At the same price, the M6 gives you two extra cores, Wi-Fi 7 and a much faster AI engine.

The alternatives

• Mac mini (M6), from $899. It has the same 12-core M6 chip as the $1,699 iMac. If you already own a monitor, keyboard and mouse, it’s the far cheaper way to get this performance.
• MacBook Air (M5), from $1,299. If you’d like to carry your computer around, plug it into a monitor at home and you get most of an iMac’s comfort plus portability.
• See our full Which Mac should you buy? guide for every model.

Buying in India

The iMac with M6 starts at ₹1,74,900 for the 10-core model and ₹1,99,900 for the 12-core model, with education pricing from ₹1,68,900. Pre-orders open on Apple India’s online store on 28 October, with deliveries and store availability from 6 November. Apple India is also running no-cost EMI and instant bank cashback offers on Macs; check the current terms before you order.

The bottom line

The M6 iMac is a sensible, no-surprises upgrade: the same lovely all-in-one, now with more cores at every price, Wi-Fi 7, faster storage and a big boost for on-device AI. For most buyers, the 12-core model with 512GB of storage is the one to get. Choose the 10-core model for a simple family machine, skip it entirely if you already own an M3 or M4 iMac, and look at the Mac mini if you already have a screen you like.