Apple Planning iMac Refresh With New Colors Later This Year

Apple is continuing to roll out updates across its Mac lineup, and the next wave of changes appears to be focused on its desktop computers. After recently introducing the $599 MacBook Neo and refreshing the MacBook Pro with the M5 chip, attention is now shifting to the remaining Mac models.

According to Mark Gurman’s latest Power On newsletter, Apple is preparing a series of desktop updates that will arrive throughout the rest of 2026. Among those updates is a refreshed iMac that will feature a new color palette.

Mac Studio Expected to Arrive First

The next major hardware release is expected to center on the Mac Studio. Apple is reportedly planning to launch updated versions of its professional desktop sometime around the middle of the year.

While the exact chip configurations have not been confirmed, the new Mac Studio models are widely expected to transition to the next generation of Apple silicon. Recent code discovered in iOS 26.3 betas revealed identifiers tied to the unreleased M5 Max and M5 Ultra processors, which are likely candidates for the new machines.

If those chips arrive as expected, the Mac Studio refresh could deliver substantial performance gains for professionals working with video editing, 3D rendering, software development, and other demanding workloads.

Mac Mini Also Due for an Update

After the Mac Studio launch, Apple is expected to refresh the Mac mini as well. Unlike the iMac update, however, the Mac mini is not expected to receive any major visual redesign.

The refresh will likely focus on internal upgrades, most notably newer Apple silicon processors that improve performance and efficiency while keeping the compact desktop form factor intact.

iMac Refresh Will Focus on New Colors

The upcoming iMac update will reportedly stand out for a different reason. Instead of focusing primarily on design changes or new hardware features, Apple is preparing a refreshed lineup of colors.

The current iMac design debuted in 2021 when Apple introduced the M1-powered version of the computer. That redesign brought a thinner profile and a range of vibrant colors that helped redefine the identity of the modern iMac.

Since then, Apple has largely maintained the same palette. The upcoming refresh will mark the first meaningful aesthetic change to the lineup in several years, giving the iMac a visual update while keeping the familiar all-in-one design.

A Transition Year for the Mac Lineup

These desktop updates appear to be part of a broader transition period for Apple’s Mac portfolio.

Later in the year, Apple is expected to unveil one of its most dramatic Mac upgrades yet: a high-end MacBook Pro featuring a touch-enabled OLED display. That device could represent the biggest shift in the MacBook Pro design in many years.

In the meantime, the Mac Studio, Mac mini, and iMac updates will help keep the desktop lineup current with the latest generation of Apple silicon.

Final Thoughts

Apple’s desktop roadmap for the rest of 2026 appears to balance performance upgrades with subtle visual changes. The Mac Studio and Mac mini are expected to benefit from new processors, while the iMac will receive a refreshed look with updated colors.

For users waiting to upgrade their desktop Macs, the coming months could bring a steady stream of new options as Apple continues expanding and refining its Mac lineup.