Apple (AAPL) Plans Mac Chip Roadmap Shift Toward AI-Focused M7

Published on June 27, 2026 at 3:32 pm by Jeff Lewis in News

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On June 26, 2026, Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman reported that Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL) is planning a major change to its Mac chip roadmap, citing people with knowledge of the matter. Apple is expected to launch a base M6 chip for entry-level Macs as early as this year while skipping M6 Pro and Max variants. Higher-end performance upgrades are instead expected to be reserved for an AI-focused M7 generation in 2027, with more significant computing and graphics advances. Gurman wrote that the shift should help meet demand for on-device AI capabilities and more graphics-intensive software.

On June 25, Evercore ISI noted that Apple made the “rare move” of raising prices intra-cycle across select Macs, iPads, and home devices. The firm called the hikes “a surprise,” saying increases of 17% to 25% across the core Mac and iPad lineup should help protect gross margins but could create demand friction. Evercore ISI maintained an Outperform rating and $365 price target on Apple shares, which were down about 5% to $277.65 in morning trading.

Earlier, Apple confirmed price hikes on several MacBook and iPad products, saying the consumer electronics industry is facing an “unprecedented challenge” as AI data center growth drives higher memory and storage demand. Apple said it had “reached a point” where it needed to raise prices on some products, while noting it is working to find solutions.