Apple’s colorful 24-inch iMac is getting a significant performance upgrade with the arrival of the M6 chip. Announced on October 27, 2026, the new iMac brings faster processing, improved graphics, upgraded wireless connectivity, and expanded support for external displays while retaining the all-in-one design that defines Apple’s desktop computer.

The new model arrives two years after the M4 iMac debuted in 2024, skipping an M5-powered generation entirely. Although both computers share the same 24-inch 4.5K Retina display, 12MP Center Stage camera, and six-speaker sound system, the M6 iMac introduces several meaningful improvements that could make a difference for creative professionals, multitaskers, and users interested in Apple’s latest AI capabilities.

However, the newer model is not automatically the better purchase for everyone. The M4 iMac remains a capable desktop, and buyers who primarily browse the web, work with documents, attend video calls, and stream content may not need the additional performance.

Here’s how Apple’s M6 iMac compares with the M4 iMac, including their performance, display, connectivity, features, and pricing.

Apple M6 iMac vs. M4 iMac: Specifications compared

Feature	iMac with M6 (2026)	iMac with M4 (2024)
Chip	Apple M6	Apple M4
CPU	Up to 12 cores	Up to 10 cores
GPU	Up to 12 cores	Up to 10 cores
Unified memory	16GB, configurable to 24GB or 32GB	16GB, configurable to 24GB or 32GB
Memory bandwidth	Up to 170GB/s	Up to 120GB/s
Display	24-inch 4.5K Retina	24-inch 4.5K Retina
Resolution	4,480 × 2,520	4,480 × 2,520
Brightness	500 nits	500 nits
Camera	12MP Center Stage	12MP Center Stage
Audio	Six-speaker system	Six-speaker system
Wireless connectivity	Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 6	Wi-Fi 6E, Bluetooth 5.3
External displays	Up to two, depending on configuration	One
Thunderbolt ports	Two or four, depending on configuration	Two or four, depending on configuration
Starting US price	$1,499	Original launch price of $1,299
Availability	Preorders begin October 28; available November 6	Previous-generation model

Specifications and prices depend on the configuration. The M4 iMac’s starting price is its original US launch price, not a claim about its current retail price.

Design and display: Familiar hardware, with one important addition

Apple has retained the iMac’s recognizable design for the M6 generation. Both models feature a slim aluminum enclosure, a color-matched stand, and a 24-inch 4.5K Retina display with a resolution of 4,480 × 2,520 pixels, 500 nits of brightness, P3 wide color, and True Tone.

That means the M6 model does not deliver a higher-resolution or brighter standard display. If you already own an M4 iMac, you should not expect a dramatic visual improvement when looking at photos, editing documents, or watching videos.

The more interesting addition is an optional nano-texture display on the higher-end M6 configuration. This finish is designed to reduce reflections and glare, which can be useful if your desk faces a window or sits in a brightly lit room. It is not a completely new reason to upgrade for everyone, but it gives buyers an additional display option that may improve comfort in challenging lighting conditions.

Both generations also retain the 12MP Center Stage camera, which keeps users in the frame during video calls, and the high-fidelity six-speaker system with Spatial Audio support.

The verdict: The M6 iMac has an advantage for buyers who want the optional nano-texture finish, but the standard display and overall design remain largely familiar.

Performance: The M6 brings more headroom for demanding work

The biggest difference between these iMacs is their silicon. The M4 iMac offers up to a 10-core CPU and 10-core GPU, while the M6 model raises those maximum configurations to a 12-core CPU and 12-core GPU.

The M6 also increases maximum memory bandwidth from 120GB/s to 170GB/s. That improvement gives the chip more bandwidth when moving data between memory and its processing components, which can benefit demanding creative workloads and other tasks that process large amounts of data.

For everyday activities such as browsing, email, office applications, and video calls, the M4 remains more than capable. The M6’s additional performance is more likely to matter when working with complex spreadsheets, editing photos, handling graphics-intensive applications, or running multiple demanding applications simultaneously.

Apple also highlights improvements in graphics processing and ray tracing. These changes could make the M6 iMac more appealing to users working with 3D graphics or supported games, although the real-world advantage will depend on the application and its optimization.

Apple’s launch materials include performance comparisons, but those figures should be treated as manufacturer claims rather than independent benchmark results.

The verdict: The M6 is the stronger choice for performance-intensive work and longer-term headroom. For basic home and office use, the M4 is still a sensible option if its price is sufficiently lower.

Apple Intelligence and AI: The M6 is better equipped for what’s next

Artificial intelligence is another major part of Apple’s M6 iMac pitch. The newer chip incorporates Neural Accelerators in its GPU cores and a dual 16-core Neural Engine, giving it dedicated hardware for supported AI workloads.

Both generations support Apple Intelligence, so the M4 iMac is not excluded from Apple’s AI ecosystem simply because it uses an older chip. The difference is in processing capability and the potential to handle more demanding AI tasks efficiently.

The M6 iMac is also being introduced alongside Apple’s newer Siri AI experiences in macOS 27. These features are part of Apple’s evolving software platform, rather than capabilities that should be assumed to work exclusively on M6 hardware. Availability and compatibility can depend on the specific feature, software version, language, and region.

For users who regularly experiment with AI-assisted creative tools or run supported local AI models, the M6’s stronger graphics hardware and increased memory bandwidth could be meaningful. However, buyers should not assume every AI feature will run faster by the same amount or that every new software capability requires an M6 chip.

The verdict: The M6 offers more AI processing headroom, but the M4 remains relevant for users who want to use currently supported Apple Intelligence features without paying for the newest hardware.

Connectivity: Wi-Fi 7 and Bluetooth 6 arrive

The M6 iMac upgrades wireless connectivity to Wi-Fi 7 and Bluetooth 6, replacing Wi-Fi 6E and Bluetooth 5.3 on the M4 generation.

Wi-Fi 7 can offer higher throughput and lower latency with a compatible router and suitable network conditions. Bluetooth 6 brings a newer wireless standard, although the practical benefits depend on the accessories and features being used.

These upgrades will not automatically make an internet connection faster. Your broadband plan, router, network congestion, and connected devices still matter. Likewise, Bluetooth 6 does not mean every existing accessory will suddenly perform better.

The M6 iMac’s port configuration also deserves attention. The base model has two Thunderbolt 4 ports, while the higher-end model offers four. The four-port version also includes 2.5Gb Ethernet as standard and supports up to two external displays, making it more suitable for users with multiple high-speed peripherals or a multi-monitor desk.

The M4 iMac’s external-display support is more limited, so the M6 model can be a more flexible workstation upgrade.

The verdict: Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 6, and support for additional external displays make the M6 more versatile, especially for users with compatible networking equipment and demanding desk setups.

Price and value: The M6 starts at $1,499

Apple’s M6 iMac starts at $1,499 in the US for the 10-core CPU and 10-core GPU configuration. The 12-core CPU and 12-core GPU version starts at $1,699.

That places the new entry-level model $200 above the M4 iMac’s original $1,299 starting price. However, original launch pricing does not tell the whole story: the M4 is an older generation, and its current street price may be lower depending on the retailer, stock, and promotions.

The configuration matters, too. The base M6 includes 16GB of unified memory and a 256GB SSD. Buyers who need more storage, additional memory, four Thunderbolt ports, or nano-texture glass should compare the total cost of the configuration they actually intend to purchase.

The higher-end M6 model is particularly worth examining if you plan to connect multiple displays, fast external storage, and other peripherals. Paying $200 more for the upgraded configuration buys more than a modest CPU and GPU increase: it also changes the connectivity options and available display finish.

For buyers considering the M4, a substantial discount could make the older model the better value. Just make sure the configuration meets your memory, storage, and external-display requirements before choosing it over the M6.

Should you upgrade from the M4 iMac to the M6?

If you already own an M4 iMac, the M6 is not an automatic upgrade. The familiar display, camera, speakers, and overall design mean that much of the everyday experience will remain recognizable.

The upgrade makes the most sense if your current workload regularly pushes the M4’s limits, you need support for more external displays, you want the newer wireless standards, or you specifically want the nano-texture display option.

If your M4 iMac handles your work comfortably, keeping it is likely the more economical decision. The M6’s improvements are real on paper, but their value depends on whether you will use the additional capability.

For first-time buyers, the choice is more straightforward: compare the M6’s current configuration prices against any discounted M4 models that remain available. The newer computer is the more capable option, but the older model can still deliver excellent everyday performance for less.

Apple M6 iMac vs. M4 iMac: Which should you buy?

Choose the M6 iMac if you want the latest Apple silicon, stronger graphics performance, improved AI processing potential, Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 6, or support for up to two external displays. It is also the better fit if you are buying a desktop intended to handle more demanding workloads over the coming years.

Choose the M4 iMac if you primarily need a computer for browsing, writing, spreadsheets, video calls, streaming, and everyday creative tasks—and you can find it at a meaningful discount. Its display, camera, speakers, and overall design remain competitive.

For existing M4 owners, the M6 is a targeted upgrade rather than a must-have replacement. For new buyers, it is the more future-facing choice, especially in the four-port configuration, but the final decision should come down to the price of comparable memory and storage configurations.

Apple has made the iMac faster and more versatile without reinventing it. Whether that is worth the extra money depends less on the chip generation printed on the box and more on what you need your desktop to do.