Apple is gearing up to launch a new Mac mini, potentially ahead of its September iPhone event, according to Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman, citing people familiar with Apple’s plans. The new model would be the first Mac mini update in nearly two years and is expected to use a newer-generation Apple silicon chip.
New Mac mini
Apple has reportedly tested the new Mac mini with both M5 and M6-generation processors, although it is unclear which chip will power the final model. Demand for the current Mac mini has increased, particularly among users running AI applications locally. Memory-chip shortages have also affected supply, with deliveries reportedly taking weeks or months.
The Mac mini is also part of Apple’s plans to expand manufacturing in the US. Apple has said it plans to produce the Mac mini at its Houston facility. The company previously assembled the Mac Pro in the US, but that model was discontinued earlier this year.
New iPad mini
Apple is also preparing a revamped iPad mini with an OLED display. The new tablet is expected to feature an iPhone-like OLED screen, replacing the current display technology and bringing the iPad mini closer to Apple’s higher-end iPad models. Gurman has said the updated model remains on track for a fall release.
Other products in development
Apple is working on several other Mac, wearable and smart-home products, including:
- iMac: A refreshed model with new color options and an M6 chip.
- MacBook Pro: A new entry-level model with an M6 chip, alongside redesigned 14-inch and 16-inch models with OLED displays and touchscreens.
- Apple Watch: New models with fitness-tracking updates and a ceramic-case option for Series 12.
- AirPods: AirPods 5 as an update to the entry-level lineup, with camera-equipped AirPods planned separately.
- Smart home: A screen-equipped device with facial recognition, along with updated Apple TV and HomePod mini models.
Apple is also developing AI-focused wearables, including smart glasses and a camera-equipped pendant that could send visual information to an iPhone for AI processing.
Launch timeline
The new Mac mini could launch within the coming weeks or even days, potentially before Apple’s September iPhone event, while the new iPad mini is expected to arrive before the end of October.
The Mac mini could also be the last new product launched under Tim Cook’s leadership, as John Ternus is scheduled to become Apple CEO on September 1.