A new report backs up multiple previous claims of the Mac models Apple is developing, and amplifies that updates are being delayed by the global chip shortage.
Recent rumors have predicted that the iPad Air will get the higher-quality OLED display in 2027. They’ve also predicted that the iMac will get an OLED screen too, but not until 2029 or 2030.
Now Bloomberg is substantially repeating these reports, but in some cases giving a little more detail. With the Mac mini and the Mac Studio, for instance, the report says that Apple is now testing versions with upgrade processors.
The Mac mini is said to be being tested with both the M5 Pro and the M6 processor. The Mac Studio is to have the M5 Max and M5 Ultra chips.
Then the company is reportedly working on bringing out an iMac with an OLED screen. Apple added an OLED screen to the iPad Pro back in 2024, and the technology provides brighter images, more accurate colors, and higher contrast.
Apple is clearly working to add OLED to all of its devices, although it seemingly didn’t prove to be the hit the company expected with the iPad Pro. Nonetheless, the higher quality and lower power consumption would make OLED idea, but for the cost and the complexity of developing the panels.
Consequently no Macs have OLED displays yet, but the MacBook Pro is predicted to get one by late 2026 or perhaps early 2027. It’s surely certain that the MacBook Pro will get this technology before the consumer iMac.
The report doesn’t back up the 2029/2030 rumored timescale, but does say that this iMac is further in the future than the other Macs.
It won’t give more any more specific schedule for any of the Macs, though, as it says that shipping dates are dependent on the chip shortage. Both the launching of the Macs and precisely what memory configurations they will have is also unsure because of the shortage.
Beyond the iMac
As part of that, the report notes that supplies of the current Mac mini and the Mac Studio are constrained. AppleInsider has been tracking long shipping lead times, and has been doing so all year.
The base model of the Mac Studio, for example, is currently listed as shipping in 10 to 12 weeks. The highest configuration Mac Studio is 13 to 14 weeks from order to delivery.
These delivery dates have been steadily lengthening since at least March 2026, though.
In the short term, it’s not likely that the situation will improve, as AI firms buy up most available processors and RAM. Costs are going up for Apple, so they rose for buyers too, and may well continue until the AI boom recedes or manufacturing matches demand.
What the new report really says is that Apple is continuing to press ahead with new Mac designs, even if they can’t know yet whether they will be economical. As such, announcement dates and release timetables aren’t clear.
At the same time, though, Apple is clearly working on ways to make buying expensive devices easier.
