The smallest desktop Mac sat unchanged on store shelves for almost two years. Now, the new version is expected to arrive so soon that it will appear before the September keynote. Following this, a whole wave of products will be released, stretching into October – with one question remaining regarding the chip and an important distinction among the new AirPods.
The Mac mini made its last major appearance in October 2024, when Apple shrunk the enclosure to 12.7 × 12.7 × 5.0 centimeters and introduced the M4 and M4 Pro processors. Since then, things have been quiet, while notebooks have long since moved on to the M5 generation. A Bloomberg report, citing sources familiar with the plans, now places the successor in the coming days – and places several other devices in the timeline. Our overview of rumors surrounding the next Mac mini contains everything that has been gathered so far about the small desktop.
Key Facts at a Glance
- The new Mac mini is expected to be unveiled in the coming days, possibly before the September keynote.
- Apple has tested variants with M5 and M6 chips; which one will be released to the market is still unknown.
- AirPods 5 are expected to be released in September, in a standard and an ANC version.
- The AirPods with cameras are a different product and, according to the latest information, are still scheduled for release in 2027.
- The OLED-equipped iPad mini and other Macs are still scheduled for October.
An appointment scheduled next to the keynote address
Mark Gurman, writing for Bloomberg, describes a timeframe of a few days. This would place the unveiling before the September event, when Apple is expected to present the iPhone 18 Pro, iPhone Ultra, and the new watches. For the Mac mini, this wouldn't be a break with tradition: The device is traditionally introduced via announcement and not on stage, as it wouldn't fit into the program of an iPhone keynote anyway.
The information comes from individuals who wished to remain anonymous because the plans are not public. Gurman is generally accurate when it comes to short-term release dates. However, he has described the chip configuration of this specific device differently several times in recent months – this doesn't invalidate the release date itself, but it does weaken the level of detail.
M5 or M6 – the configuration remains open
This is precisely where the most interesting part lies. Apple is said to have tested versions with both chip generations. In July, there was talk of a base model with the M6 and a more powerful variant with the M5 Pro – a cross-generational mix, similar to what Apple already used in the Mac Studio with the M4 Max and M3 Ultra. The current report doesn't commit to either.
For buyers, this makes a difference that goes beyond a single number. An M6 in the entry-level model would mean the Mac mini skips the M5 generation entirely – the same move expected for the iMac's market launch by the end of the year. An M5 would be the conventional step and would bring the device back to its regular production cycle sooner.
The desktop series now lags significantly behind the notebooks:
| Model | Current chip | Last update |
|---|---|---|
| Mac mini | M4 and M4 Pro | October 2024 |
| iMac | M4 | October 2024 |
| Mac Studio | M4 Max and M3 Ultra | March 2025 |
AirPods 5 in two versions, available in September
The report also mentions the fifth generation of AirPods for the September launch, in the same two-part format as the current model: a standard version and a variant with active noise cancellation. Both would be released alongside the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone Ultra.
This division aligns with what appeared in the code last week. The macOS Tahoe 26.7 release candidate contained the identifiers B868M and B868E – two models whose numbering scheme exactly matches that of the AirPods 4, which are designated B768M and B768E and were released in September 2024. The codenames for the AirPods 5 in the macOS update were therefore already assigned before this date was announced; the new aspect is the timing.
Why the camera AirPods are not meant here
A clear distinction is warranted here, because two completely different products have been confused in recent weeks. The AirPods 5 are the regular entry-level generation. The AirPods with cameras are a separate project, operating under the codenames B790 and B798.
Regarding these camera models, it was recently stated that the B790 device – a version of the AirPods Pro 3 with cameras – was planned for 2026 until recently, but will now no longer be released. What remains is the new AirPods Pro generation slated for 2027, featuring low-resolution cameras that will transmit image information to visual intelligence and will not take photos or videos. The current status is summarized in our overview of the AirPods Ultra. Those hoping for cameras in their earbuds in September will likely be disappointed – the AirPods 5 are a conventional update.
October remains reserved for iPad mini and Macs
Behind the September release block lies the second wave. The iPad mini with an OLED display remains planned for October; Apple's decision to launch it this month has been known since mid-July and is confirmed by the current report rather than postponed. In addition to the OLED panel, a significant processor upgrade, a vibration-based speaker system, and improved water resistance are expected.
In parallel, more Macs are expected to follow, including a new iMac and a redesigned MacBook Pro. Also on the list for this year are the Apple Home Hub, an updated Apple TV 4K, and a new HomePod mini – devices that already appeared in the same order in July.
What the supply situation in Germany can be expected to reveal
The backlog in desktop orders has a concrete reason. In April, Apple stopped taking orders for certain Mac mini and Mac Studio configurations, and shortly afterward, Tim Cook confirmed shortages of precisely these two devices in the quarterly interview. The cause was memory prices and the limited availability of components – an issue that continues to plague Apple to this day.
A market launch in this situation signals that production is profitable again. The report provides no information on pricing. It is only documented that Apple raised prices for Macs, iPads, and Vision Pro in June; the previous entry-level price for the Mac mini is no longer valid. Whether the new generation will be more expensive beyond that is currently unknown.
Why this particular device deserves the timing
Over the past two years, the Mac mini has quietly become the workhorse for local AI models – we've described why its compact form factor has made it the preferred machine for this purpose. This is precisely why the chip choice is more critical than in previous generations: the Neural Accelerators in the GPU cores determine the computing power for such tasks, and a generational leap here has a greater impact than in pure CPU performance.
Then there's the date. John Ternus takes over as CEO on September 1st. A Mac mini launch in the coming days would therefore be the last product presentation under Tim Cook, whose path to the top of the company led through the supply chain – fitting in retrospect, but in reality nothing more than a coincidence of the calendar. If you're waiting for a desktop Mac anyway, it's worth taking a look at the configurations: Our buying guide for the Mac mini, Mac Studio, and iMac shows where the differences lie between the three devices.
Two waves by the end of the year
If the timeframe holds true, the long hiatus for the Mac mini would be over in just a few days, and September would bring the next device, the AirPods 5. The unresolved chip question remains the crucial detail until the announcement, as it determines whether the small desktop will be up-to-date for the next two years or immediately fall behind a generation.
Would you buy an M5 immediately – or wait until it's clear whether Apple will upgrade the entry-level model to the M6? Let us know in the comments which option you prefer.
- iPhone 20: The glass is produced on converted Air systems
- iPhone 18 Pro: Competition sets the price premium
- iMac M6: New colors and market launch by the end of the year
