Apple is preparing to launch a new Mac mini desktop computer within days, marking the first update to the product in nearly two years, according to people familiar with the matter.
The company has tested versions of the new Mac mini powered by both M5 and M6 processors, the people said, asking not to be identified because the plans have not been made public.
The launch could come before Apple’s expected iPhone event in September, where the company is set to unveil its first foldable iPhone alongside the iPhone 18 Pro lineup.
Demand for the current Mac mini has surged as the compact desktop has become a popular device for running artificial intelligence applications locally. At the same time, shortages of memory chips have made it increasingly difficult for Apple to keep the computer in stock.
Apple declined to comment.
The Mac mini is one of several new products Apple is preparing for the second half of the year. The company is expected to send invitations for its iPhone launch event later this week, with the presentation likely to take place on Sept. 9.
New AirPods and Apple Watch models
Apple is also preparing several updated Apple Watch models featuring incremental improvements, including enhanced fitness tracking and a ceramic case option for Series 12.
The company could introduce new AirPods at the September event as well. The lineup will include AirPods 5, an update to Apple’s entry-level wireless earbuds, according to the people. The model was last refreshed in 2024.
A camera-equipped version of the AirPods is not expected until next year.
Apple is also preparing its first smart home device with a screen, which could arrive before the end of the year. The device will use facial recognition to identify users and display personalized content. A new Apple TV set-top box and HomePod mini speaker are also in development.
Another planned launch is a redesigned iPad mini featuring an OLED display. The technology, which uses organic light-emitting diodes, should provide a sharper image and bring the smaller tablet closer to Apple’s higher-end iPad models. The new iPad mini is expected by the end of October.
Touch-screen Macs are on the way
Apple has more Mac updates in development, although they are likely to arrive later. These include an iMac with new color options and an updated entry-level MacBook Pro, both expected to use the upcoming M6 processors.
The company’s most significant Mac launch in the pipeline is its first touch-screen computer. Apple plans to bring touch functionality to new 14-inch and 16-inch MacBook Pro models, which will also feature redesigned enclosures and OLED displays.
The new Mac mini could be the final major product launch under Chief Executive Officer Tim Cook, who is scheduled to hand over the reins to John Ternus on Sept. 1. Ternus will oversee the launch of the foldable iPhone and other major products in development.
Apple looks further ahead to 2027
Apple is already planning a broad range of products for 2027, including updates to the entry-level iPad and iPad Air, new MacBook Air and MacBook Neo models, and second-generation touch-screen MacBooks powered by chips from the upcoming M7 series.
The company is also working on a second-generation foldable iPhone and an iPhone featuring curved glass, which would mark the smartphone’s 20th anniversary.
Apple is planning a broader push into AI-powered wearables as well, beginning with camera-equipped AirPods. The company is developing smart glasses that would compete with Meta Platforms Inc.’s products and has also been testing a camera-equipped pendant capable of sending visual information to iPhones for AI processing.
Mac mini supply remains a challenge
The Mac mini has become a significant supply-chain problem for Apple in recent months, with some customers waiting weeks or even months for deliveries.
Cook previously said the supply constraints would take time to resolve, and it remains unclear whether the introduction of a new model will ease or worsen delivery times.
The Mac mini also plays an important role in Apple’s efforts to expand manufacturing in the US. Earlier this year, the company pledged to begin producing the computer in Houston later in 2026.
Cook visited the factory this month alongside Trump administration officials as the US government continues to promote domestic manufacturing.
Apple previously assembled the Mac Pro in the US, but that model was discontinued earlier this year.
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