Apple is reportedly changing its Apple silicon roadmap to speed up the launch of processors built for artificial intelligence workloads. According to Bloomberg, the company plans to simplify its next chip cycle by skipping the M6 Pro and M6 Max processors and moving directly to M7 Pro and M7 Max chips in 2027.
If the reported plan moves ahead, Apple will launch only the base M6 chip for the M6 generation. The change marks a major shift from Apple's long-standing strategy of introducing base, Pro, and Max versions for every M-series lineup.
Bloomberg reported that Apple could introduce the base M6 chip as early as late 2026. The processor is expected to power entry-level Macs, including the MacBook Pro, Mac mini and iMac. Future iPad Pro and iPad Air models could also receive the chip.
The M6 is expected to feature around 200GB/s memory bandwidth, an upgraded Neural Engine, improved processor cores, and a redesigned GPU with up to 12 cores. Earlier reports have also suggested that it could become Apple's first chip built using a 2-nanometer manufacturing process.
The reported roadmap shows Apple's growing focus on on-device artificial intelligence. The M7 series is said to include improvements aimed at AI processing and graphics-intensive workloads.
The base M7 processor could offer memory bandwidth of around 240GB/s, compared with 153GB/s on the current M5 chip. Faster memory bandwidth is expected to improve AI tasks, graphics performance, and video editing. Apple's decision to move Pro and Max models into the M7 family suggests the company wants to accelerate development of chips designed for future AI features.
While the M6 lineup may be limited to a single processor, Bloomberg stated that Apple still plans to launch an M5 Ultra chip for an updated Mac Studio later this year.
The processor is expected to include around 36 CPU cores and 80 GPU cores. The refreshed Mac Studio could support up to 768GB of unified memory, making it Apple's most powerful desktop for professional workloads.
The revised roadmap could also affect Apple's premium notebook plans. Reports have linked the company to a high-end MacBook Ultra featuring an OLED display and touchscreen.
The launch timeline for such a device may also shift unless Apple chooses an existing high-performance processor with M7 Pro and M7 Max chips, now reportedly scheduled for late 2027.
The reported roadmap update comes shortly after Apple increased prices across its Mac and iPad lineup, signalling broader changes across its hardware strategy as AI becomes a larger priority.
Also Read: New MacBook Pro With M5 Pro and M5 Max Expected This January