Apple’s next Mac Mini could launch within days; OLED iPad Mini launch to follow soon

Compact computer enthusiasts will be pleased to know Apple could finally unveil a new Mac Mini within days, effectively getting the desktop refresh out of the way before its September iPhone event. According to Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman, the company has tested versions of the compact desktop with both M5 and M6-generation Apple silicon. Exactly which one will get out the door remains a mystery, but if previous launches are anything to go by, it is not irregular for the Mac Mini to skip a generation of M-series chips.

The M6 speculation is further strengthened by the fact that the launch would mark the Mac Mini’s first update in almost two years. The current generation arrived in October 2024 with M4 and M4 Pro chips, alongside a substantially smaller chassis. However, given the state of the market, it is entirely possible Apple will launch an M5-powered Mac Mini to keep costs low, leaving the M6 open for other higher-value products.

Bloomberg previously reported that Apple is preparing a 24-inch iMac with an M6 chip for launch before the end of 2026, effectively skipping the M5 generation entirely for that machine. The current iMac also dates back to October 2024 and uses the M4 chip.The upcoming M6 generation is expected to be particularly significant because it is tipped to become Apple’s first Mac silicon slated to be manufactured on TSMC’s N2 node. If Apple decides to move the base Mac Mini directly to M6, it could represent a more substantial silicon upgrade than its normal annual cadence would suggest.

Gurman also provided a more specific update on the next iPad mini, which remains on track to launch this autumn. In an X post, he said the revamped tablet should arrive before the end of October and will feature an OLED display, a first for an iPad Mini SKU. Exactly what chip will power the iPad Mini remains a mystery. The M6 remains a viable candidate, but Apple could use the M5 to cut costs. OLED panels and TSMC N2 wafers do cost a pretty penny, after all.