iMac in 2026: Should You Buy the M4 Now or Wait for the M6?
By Ecosystem Analyst | October 1, 2026 | Apple News
Key Takeaway: Apple still sells the M4 iMac that launched in October 2024, and Bloomberg reporting from August 2026 says an M6 successor is weeks away. The honest answer depends on whether you need a Mac in the next 60 days.
Why This Matters: The 24-inch iMac is the only all-in-one desktop Apple makes, and it is the most colorful Mac in the lineup. If you have been waiting to buy, the timing question is sharper than usual this fall. The current M4 model is approaching two years on the market, and Apple is widely expected to refresh the lineup imminently. Anyone shopping today is essentially asking two questions at once: is the M4 still a good buy in late 2026, and is the M6 close enough to justify waiting another month or two?
What We Know
Apple Newsroom (October 2024) — M4 iMac launched with 16GB RAM standard
Apple’s official M4 iMac announcement set the starting price at $1,299, lifted base unified memory from 8GB to 16GB, and introduced an optional nano-texture glass upgrade for $200. Apple quoted up to 1.7x faster daily productivity and 2.1x faster demanding workflows compared to the M1 iMac, and called the Neural Engine in M4 the headline AI feature.
Apple Tech Specs — 16-core Neural Engine, 120GB/s memory bandwidth
The iMac specifications page confirms the M4 chip in two configurations: an 8-core CPU and 8-core GPU base, and the 10-core CPU and 10-core GPU four-port model. Both share a 16-core Neural Engine, 120GB/s unified memory bandwidth, hardware-accelerated ray tracing, and the AV1 decode engine. The display is the same 24-inch 4.5K Retina panel rated at 500 nits with P3 wide color and True Tone, configurable with nano-texture glass on the higher-tier models.
CNET review — measured 507 nits, 99% P3, Shadow of the Tomb Raider at 40 fps
CNET’s M4 iMac review measured the nano-texture display at 507 nits peak with a colorimeter, 99% of P3, and 88% of AdobeRGB. The site ran Shadow of the Tomb Raider at the highest settings at 1920×1080 and averaged 40 fps, with ray tracing turned off. The fully configured test unit cost $2,329 with 24GB of RAM, 1TB of storage, and the nano-texture upgrade.
Trusted Reviews — base model loses Touch ID and nano-texture
The Trusted Reviews verdict highlights the pricing trap in the iMac line. The $1,299 base ships with two Thunderbolt 4 ports, no Touch ID on the included Magic Keyboard, and no nano-texture option. To get all three, you need the four-port model at $1,499, which adds 100 to your bill before any nano-texture upgrade. That is worth weighing against the Mac mini at $599 with the same M4 chip.
MacRumors / Bloomberg (August 2026) — M6 iMac expected in October
Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman told readers in late August 2026 that the next iMac will ship before the end of the year, with MacRumors summarizing the reporting as an M6-powered model replacing the current M4. The new machine is not expected to bring major design changes. The 24-inch LCD stays. Gurman also said Apple is testing the upcoming macOS 27.1 on the new hardware, pointing at an October launch window.
Apple Newsroom (WWDC 2026) — next-gen Apple Intelligence runs on M1 and later
The June 2026 Apple Intelligence announcement confirmed that the next-generation Apple Intelligence, built on Apple Foundation Models with Google Gemini integration, ships in iOS 27, iPadOS 27, macOS 27, watchOS 27, and visionOS 27. The compatibility floor is M1 for Macs, which means the current M4 iMac is fully supported. On-device intelligence is processed by the Neural Engine, and the M4’s 16-core Neural Engine is the same one shipping in every MacBook Air M4 and Mac mini M4.
What Could Change
The biggest variable in the next two months is the M6 announcement. If Apple’s pattern holds, the new iMac will likely carry the M6 chip with a newer Neural Engine, possibly more memory bandwidth, and the next round of Apple Intelligence features optimized for that hardware. Apple has not officially confirmed the chip, and the rumors are not unanimous. 9to5Mac’s July 2026 reporting suggests the iMac and Mac mini may both skip M5 entirely and go straight to M6. Bloomberg’s earlier July note said Apple has finished development on the new iMac but did not name the chip. iDrop News floated the possibility that Apple skips a 2026 refresh entirely to wait for an OLED model in 2027 or later.
The OLED iMac is its own story. Supply-chain chatter points at 24-inch OLED panels from Samsung Display and LG Display with pixel densities around 220 ppi, but those panels are not expected to ship before 2027 and may slip to 2029 depending on yield and cost. If you are waiting for OLED specifically, treat that as a 2028 or 2029 purchase, not a near-term one.
There is also the question of pricing. Apple tends to keep iMac starting prices stable across generations, but the new chip and any new color options could shift the configuration matrix. The $1,299 base has held for the M3 and M4 generations, and the historical pattern says it will hold for the M6 as well.
What to Do Now
If you need a Mac in the next two months, the M4 iMac is a sensible pick. The M4 chip is two years old and will not match the M6 in benchmarks, but it comfortably handles Apple Intelligence, creative apps like Final Cut and Logic Pro, and the full macOS Tahoe feature set. The 16GB base memory is enough for general use, and the 10-core / 10-core configuration at $1,499 is the version most people should actually buy. The nano-texture glass is worth $200 if you work near a window or under bright overhead lights; skip it if your iMac lives in a dimmer space.
If you can wait until November, the smart move is to wait. The M6 iMac is widely expected to land in October. You will get the newer chip, likely better sustained performance for Apple Intelligence workloads, and the same color-matched design language. The risk of waiting is that Apple prices the M6 higher, removes the nano-texture option, or ships it in a more restricted configuration. None of those outcomes are guaranteed, and the M4iMac is not going to disappear from the lineup immediately after the M6 announcement.
If you are thinking about a Mac mini instead, the math is more interesting. The Mac mini M4 at $599 with 256GB is a worse value for a primary computer in 2026 than the iMac at $1,499 with the 10-core chip, nano-texture display, and four Thunderbolt 4 ports. But if you already own a 4K monitor or plan to use a Studio Display, the Mac mini at $799 with the M4 Pro chip is more powerful per dollar than the iMac. Apple’s current Mac desktop lineup is the most fragmented it has been in years, and the right choice depends on whether you need the display bundled in.
If you are buying for Apple Intelligence specifically, the M4 iMac is well above the floor. Apple Intelligence runs on any M1 Mac, and the M4’s 16-core Neural Engine is the same generation found in M5 MacBook Pros, M5 MacBook Airs, and M5 iPad Pros. The performance ceiling is set by macOS 27’s on-device intelligence features, not by the chip. Wait only if you want to be on the newest platform from launch day.
FAQ
Is the M4 iMac fast enough for Apple Intelligence in 2026?
Yes. Apple’s June 2026 Apple Intelligence announcement confirmed M1 and later Macs support the new features, and the M4’s 16-core Neural Engine is the same generation as the M5 MacBook Air and iPad Pro. macOS Tahoe and the upcoming macOS 27.1 both run on the M4 iMac, including Live Translation in Messages and FaceTime, Genmoji, Writing Tools, and the Gemini-backed foundation models. The M6 will be faster on paper, but the M4 is comfortably capable of every Apple Intelligence feature Apple has announced.
Should I wait for the M6 iMac if I do not need a Mac right now?
If you can wait four to eight weeks without a working desktop, yes. Bloomberg’s August 2026 reporting points at an October launch, with MacRumors summarizing that the M6 will replace the M4 without a major design change. Waiting gives you a newer chip, longer support runway, and the same color-matched accessories. The risk is a higher starting price or a more restrictive configuration matrix. There is no indication Apple plans to remove the iMac from the lineup.
What is the difference between the iMac M4 and M4 Pro configurations?
Apple sells the iMac M4 in two configurations. The $1,299 base has an 8-core CPU, 8-core GPU, two Thunderbolt 4 ports, no Touch ID on the keyboard, and no nano-texture option. The $1,499 four-port model jumps to the 10-core CPU, 10-core GPU, four Thunderbolt 4 ports, gigabit Ethernet on the power brick, and the Touch ID Magic Keyboard. The 10-core model is configurable up to 32GB of unified memory and 2TB of storage. There is no M4 Pro chip in the iMac; Pro and Max variants have never shipped in the 24-inch iMac, and the Mac Studio and Mac Pro are the desktops for higher-tier silicon.
Does the iMac M4 support macOS Tahoe and the new Apple Intelligence features?
Yes. macOS Tahoe runs on every Apple Silicon Mac from M1 forward, and the iMac M4 is on Apple’s official compatibility list. The next macOS 27.1 update, which is the version Apple is testing on the upcoming M6 refresh, also supports the M4 iMac. Apple Intelligence features including Writing Tools, Genmoji, Image Playground, and the Gemini-backed foundation models are all available on the M4 iMac. The M4 iMac is not going to be cut off from new features in 2026.
Is the nano-texture glass worth the extra $200?
It depends on your lighting. CNET’s colorimeter measurements and WIRED’s review both found that nano-texture cuts glare from overhead lights and windows to near zero. If your iMac sits next to a window, in a sunlit room, or under fluorescent overheads, nano-texture is a meaningful upgrade. If your iMac lives in a dimmer space or a home setup with controlled lighting, the glossy standard glass has slightly better contrast and color saturation. The upgrade is restricted to the four-port 10-core configuration; the $1,299 base cannot be configured with it.
Sources & References
- Apple Newsroom — Apple introduces new iMac supercharged by M4 and Apple Intelligence
- Apple — iMac Technical Specifications
- CNET — Apple iMac M4 Review: The Best All-in-One Gets a Bit Better
- Trusted Reviews — Apple iMac M4 Review
- MacRumors — M6 MacBook Pro and M6 iMacs Likely Coming in October
- 9to5Mac — Two new Macs might skip M5 chips and go straight to M6
- MacRumors — iMac Update Expected This Year, Model With OLED Display Also in Works
- iDrop News — Is Apple Skipping the M5 iMac for an OLED Refresh?
- iTechGuides — Apple’s 2026 Product Roadmap
- Apple Newsroom — Apple Intelligence brings powerful AI capabilities into everyday experiences
- Apple Support — What’s new in macOS Tahoe
- EveryMac — All iMac Benchmarks (Apple Silicon; 2021-Current)
About the Author: The Ecosystem Analyst covers Apple’s product lineup with a focus on what changes between releases and what stays the same. Reviews are based on Apple’s published specifications and independent reporting from outlets including MacRumors, 9to5Mac, WIRED, CNET, Trusted Reviews, and Bloomberg. Apple Unboxed does not accept compensation for product coverage.