Will the Mac mini 2026 bring another fundamental change to the tiny desktop?
Summary created by Smart Answers AI
In summary:
- Macworld reports that Apple plans to release Mac mini models with M5 and M5 Pro chips in 2026, following Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman and leaked Apple files from December 2025.
- The M5 Mac mini will feature 16GB of RAM and Thunderbolt 4, while the M5 Pro version will get 24GB of RAM and Thunderbolt 5 connectivity upgrades.
- No design changes are expected from the 2024 compact redesign, with an expected release in early spring or WWDC26 in June.
2026 Mac mini: In summary
- The current M4 and M4 Pro Mac mini were released in November 2024.
- The report states that Apple plans to update the M5 in 2026.
- No design changes are expected.
With a November 2024 release, Apple has drastically changed the Mac mini, shrinking its overall size. The smallest Mac you could buy was actually even smaller. It also features the new M4 and M4 Pro chips that make the Mac mini a powerful machine.
In October 2025, Apple released the entry-level M5 chip in the MacBook Pro, but has not yet introduced the M5 Pro chip. But now that the M5 chip is here, customers might be wondering if it’s coming to the Mac mini soon. This article follows news about the upcoming Mac mini. Information on what the update will contain and when it might be released can be found on this page.
2026 Mac mini: Release date
- Possible release in the first half of 2026
The Mac mini has an erratic release history. Apple went through periods of updating the Mac mini annually and then decided to wait up to four years. The transition from Intel to Apple Silicon did not create any consistency; The M1 Mac mini was around for three years before it got the M2 upgrade. The Mac mini skipped the M3 and got the M4 upgrade (and redesign) in November 2024.
Since laptops dominate Apple Mac sales, desktop Macs like the Mac mini won’t get regular yearly upgrades. And with recent reports of Apple doing some redesigns for its higher-end chips, it’s possible that we could see the Mac mini with a Pro chip get longer upgrade cycles in the future.
However, the M5 is out, and Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman has reported that the M5 and M5 Pro Mac mini are on Apple’s 2026 product roadmap. When in 2026 remains a question, although with the M6 expected in the second half of 2026, expect the M5 and M5 Pro Mac mini to be released in early spring or WW26 on June 26 at the latest.
2026 Mac mini: Processor
- It is expected to have M5 and M5 Pro
Apple has yet to create a consistent upgrade cycle with the Apple Silicon Mac mini. Apple released the M1 and M2 versions, but skipped the M3 and went with the M4. So Apple isn’t afraid to skip a chip cycle with the Mac mini.
But it looks like the Apple M5 won’t make the jump. Mark Gurman reported that Apple plans to release Mac minis with M5 and M5 Pro chips in 2026.
MacRumors reported in December 2025 that references to the M5 and M5 Pro Mac mini appeared in a set of leaked Apple files.
The new M5 chip might make its way into the Mac mini.
Apple
2026 Mac mini: Specifications
- 16 GB of RAM (M5); 24 GB RAM (M5 Pro)
- Thunderbolt 4 (M5); Thunderbolt 5 (M5 Pro)
- Wi-Fi 6E (802.11ax) and Bluetooth 5.3
With the M4 Mac mini, Apple has increased the base RAM from 8GB (base M chip model) and 16GB (Pro M chip model) to 16GB and 24GB, respectively. This is the standard configuration going forward with options for the user to add more memory at the time of purchase.
The M4 Mac mini has Thunderbolt 4, while the M4 Pro Mac mini has Thunderbolt 5. The recently released M5 chip has Thunderbolt 4, so that will be in the M5 Mac mini. While the specs on the M5 Pro have not been reported, it will have Thunderbolt 5.
The current Mac mini has Wi-Fi 6E (802.11ax) and Bluetooth 5.3. That hasn’t changed with the M5 MacBook Pro, so it looks like Apple won’t be upgrading to Wi-Fi 7 and Bluetooth 6 with the M5 Mac mini. It also means Apple doesn’t have to use its N1 wireless networking chip that debuted with the iPhone 17.
There have been no reports of changes to the inner workings of the Mac mini.
New Mac mini: Design
- The Mac mini redesign was introduced in 2024
Apple made a major redesign of the Mac mini in 2024, making it much smaller. This design will work for several more years. In fact, it can’t be smaller and still provide the features that users need.
No news has been released on whether Apple will offer new colors.
Expect the ports on the new Mac mini to remain the same.
Foundry
The port offering is expected to remain the same. The M4 Mac mini has:
- 2 front USB-C ports (supporting USB 3 at 10 Gbps)
- Front 3.5mm audio jack
- 3 rear Thunderbolt ports
- HDMI port
- gigabit ethernet port (10Gb ethernet option available)
New Mac mini: Price
For reference, here are the prices for the current standard Mac mini 2024 base configurations:
- $599 / £599 / CA$799 / AU$999 M4, 16GB Unified Memory, 256GB SSD
- $799 / £799 / CA$1,099 / AU$1,299 M4, 16GB Unified Memory, 512GB SSD
- $999 / £999 / CA$1,399 / AU$1,599 M4, 24GB Unified Memory, 512GB SSD
- $1,399 / £1,399 / CA$1,999 / AU$2,199 M4 Pro, 24GB Unified Memory, 512GB SSD
Pricing for the new Mac mini has not been reported, although prices could rise due to the US tariff situation – components are manufactured overseas. Prices may be adjusted for more recent exchange rates elsewhere.