Apple to Skip M6 Chips for Mac Studio, Moving to M7 Series Next: Report
Apple reportedly plans to launch a new Mac Studio featuring an M5 Ultra chip, skipping high-end M6 options to focus on the M7 series. Development has faced delays due to memory supply constraints and rising costs, with potential high-end configurations expected to command premium prices exceeding $10,000.
Apple is preparing to refresh its Mac Studio desktop range with a new M5 Ultra chip, according to internal planning details. This move marks the final entry in the M5 generation before the company pivots its hardware strategy to focus on the M7 family, which will include M7 Pro, M7 Max, and M7 Ultra configurations, effectively bypassing a dedicated high-end M6 chip line for the Mac Studio.
As per a report by Bloomberg, the Mac Studio refresh has faced significant delays throughout 2026 due to ongoing memory chip supply constraints and rising component costs. While earlier projections suggested an update might arrive in the autumn, current delivery estimates for existing M3 Ultra models extending into October have cast doubt on whether the launch will proceed within the original timeframe. ‘Biggest Price Jump in Anything I’ve Ever Seen Too’: Elon Musk Criticises Apple Price Hike.
Technical Specifications and Supply Constraints
The forthcoming M5 Ultra chip is anticipated to feature a 36-core CPU and an 80-core GPU, representing a modest performance iteration over the current M3 Ultra architecture. Despite Apple testing support for up to 768GB of unified memory, existing supply chain limitations may ultimately force the company to cap memory options at lower thresholds to ensure availability.
Apple previously offered the Mac Studio with up to 512GB of RAM, though this high-tier option was removed from sale in March. Current M3 Ultra models are limited to 96GB of RAM, reflecting the company’s efforts to navigate the broader memory market instability. MacBook Air M5 Price Hiked as Apple Raises Prices Amid Memory Chip Shortage.
Market Impact and Pricing
The pricing strategy for the upcoming Mac Studio remains a point of concern for potential buyers. Following a series of price hikes across the Mac range, the base price for the 96GB M3 Ultra configuration has already climbed from $3,999 to $5,299. Analysts suggest that if the refreshed Mac Studio launches with significantly expanded memory capabilities, pricing could comfortably exceed $10,000 for top-tier specifications.
(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Jun 26, 2026 03:29 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).
