Apple’s New Mac mini Could Launch Within Days, and It Might Be Tim Cook’s Last Product as CEO

By Mehtab Ansari • Updated On 25 Aug 2026

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TL; DR

Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman says a new Mac mini could launch “within days,” with Apple testing both M5 and M6 versions.
It could be the final new Apple product launched before Tim Cook steps down as CEO on September 1.
Apple is also expected to hold its iPhone 18 Pro and first foldable iPhone event on September 9, alongside new Apple Watch models and potentially AirPods 5.

Apple could launch a new Mac mini within days. According to Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman, Apple has tested Mac mini models with both M5 and M6 chips, although it’s still unclear which version will launch.

Gurman also says the new Mac mini could be the final new Apple product before Tim Cook steps down as CEO on September 1. If Apple launches it before then, it would be Cook’s final product launch after more than 15 years as Apple’s CEO.

M5 or M6?

Earlier reports pointed to an M5 and M5 Pro upgrade for the Mac mini. Apple testing an M6 version suggests the company has considered jumping ahead to its next chip generation for the base model.

Apple currently sells the Mac mini with M4 and M4 Pro chips, with up to 64GB of unified memory and 8TB of storage. An M5 Pro model could still arrive, although there’s no confirmation that it will launch alongside the next Mac mini.

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The timing also comes as memory prices continue to rise. Mac minis have become popular with developers and businesses that deploy several machines together because of their small size, low power consumption, and relatively low cost. Higher memory costs could put additional pressure on the Mac mini’s pricing.

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Mac mini Prices in India Have Already Gone Up

The Mac mini has already become much more expensive in India. Apple launched the M4 Mac mini at ₹59,900, while the base 16GB/256GB model now sells for around ₹94,900 or more at some retailers.

That makes the storage configuration of the new model particularly important. The current Mac mini still starts with 256GB, and Apple could carry that over to the M5 or M6 model.

I’d like to see Apple make 512GB the standard storage this time, especially at this price. Several newer Macs already start with 512GB, giving Apple a clear opportunity to make the entry-level Mac mini more practical.

There’s no indication that Apple plans to make that change, though. We could once again get 256GB as the base configuration, with 512GB available at a higher price (sadly).

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Tim Cook’s Final Product?

If Apple launches the new Mac mini before September 1, it could become Tim Cook’s final new product as CEO. Cook has led Apple since 2011 and has overseen major product launches, including the company’s transition to Apple silicon. A Mac mini would be an interesting final product for his tenure, especially given the device’s role in Apple’s desktop lineup.

iPhone 18 Pro and Apple’s Foldable iPhone to Launch on September 9

Gurman also says Apple will hold its next major event on September 9. The iPhone 18 Pro series is expected to headline the event alongside Apple’s first foldable iPhone. New Apple Watch models are also expected, while AirPods 5 could potentially make an appearance.

For the Mac mini, we should know very soon whether Apple goes with M5 or M6. The bigger question for buyers in India will be the price and whether Apple finally makes 512GB the base storage option.

Details here are based on reporting from Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman and remain unofficial until Apple confirms them.

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Mehtab Ansari

Mehtab Ansari is the Assistant Editor – Features & Reviews at Smartprix, where he writes about smartphones, laptops, audio gear, and everything in between. A computer science student by degree but a tech nerd by heart, he’s been into consumer tech for years and started reviewing products professionally in February 2024. He’s especially into photography and audio, often spending more time testing a smartphone’s camera than he probably should. For him, tech isn’t just work, it’s what he’s always thinking about.

Expertise

Smartphones, laptops, tablets, monitors, smartwatches, photography, and audio gear. I’ve reviewed over 60 products across these categories on Smartprix in the past year and a half.

Education - Bachelor of Computer Applications – Nizam College, Hyderabad (2022–2025) | Joined Smartprix -February 2024 | Published Reviews & Stories - 723

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