Apple is expected to roll out a lineup of Mac products equipped with the M6 chip starting this autumn.

On Sept. 30 (local time), IT outlet 9to5Mac reported that the MacBook Pro and iMac will switch to M6 first this autumn, while the MacBook Air and iPad Pro are likely to launch in early 2027.

The first products are expected to be the M6 MacBook Pro and M6 iMac. The launch timing being discussed is October or early November. Still, it is seen as likely that only the 14-inch base MacBook Pro will use M6. Observers say that as Apple skips the M6 Pro and M6 Max chips, only the lower-end model could change first, and the next high-end chips could move to the M7 Pro and M7 Max in 2027.

The iMac is expected to focus on a chip swap rather than major hardware changes. The only additional change mentioned so far is new color options. Even if the exterior or core design does not change significantly, switching from M4 to M6 could lead to a "major leap in performance and power efficiency," as quoted by the outlet.

Some products are not included in this schedule. A model known as a touchscreen MacBook Pro or MacBook Pro Ultra is mentioned as possibly coming soon, but it is expected to use the M5 Pro and M5 Max chips rather than M6.

The next phase is expected in early 2027. The MacBook Air and iPad Pro are cited as the next targets for an M6 upgrade. The MacBook Air is discussed as possibly launching between February and April 2027, with March presented as a relatively likely window. The new MacBook Air is not expected to show many clear changes beyond a chip swap. Its design is likely to keep the same framework as the M5 model, and a shift to an organic light-emitting diode (OLED) display is expected only after 2028, making screen changes less likely.

The iPad Pro was updated once with the M5 chip in autumn 2025 and could be replaced again in spring 2027. That would follow a typical 18-month cycle. The new iPad Pro could add a vapor chamber cooling structure in addition to M6. This would be aimed at improving sustained performance in an ultra-thin device.

Battery life is also a point to watch. M6 is based on a 2-nanometer process, and improvements are expected not only in performance but also in power efficiency. Apple says M6 brings a "major leap in performance and power efficiency." That has also prompted talk that battery life could increase on the MacBook Air and iPad Pro.

In summary, Apple’s shift to M6 is seen as more likely to roll out by product line rather than spreading across all products at once. This autumn, the base MacBook Pro and iMac are expected to change first, followed by the MacBook Air and iPad Pro in early 2027. With different strategies for lower-end and high-end chips even within the same M6 generation, the actual launch timing and product-by-product differentiation are expected to be key points to watch.