We got the new iPad mini with the A20 Pro chip yesterday, and today Apple announced refreshed versions of the 14-inch MacBook Pro and iMac desktop, both with the M6 chip and a price bump over their predecessors.
We’ll compare the new and old 14-inch MacBook Pro models here. Aside from a few cores, a performance bump in specific tasks, and networking features, there isn’t much difference between the two.
2026 MacBook Pro (M6) vs. 2025 MacBook Pro (M5)
The first difference is obvious from the name. The new model has an M6 chip with a 12-core CPU and 12-core GPU, compared to the M5 model’s 10-core CPU and 10-core GPU.
The M6 chip also offers faster memory bandwidth of up to 170GB/s, compared to 153GB/s on the 2025 model.
As for wireless connectivity, the new 2026 model has Wi-Fi 7 and Bluetooth 6.3, up from Wi-Fi 6E and Bluetooth 5.3 on its predecessor.
Beyond that, the specs sheet doesn’t mention any other changes, though Apple’s Newsroom post says the GPU on the newer model delivers up to 30 percent faster graphics and up to 25 percent faster AI workloads than last year’s M5.
Everything else, from base memory (16 GB) and base storage (1 TB) to the max memory limit (32 GB), max storage option (4 TB), display, size, weight, battery backup, webcam, speakers, microphone, Siri & AI, ports, etc., is the same.
So, unless you desperately need that Apple-claimed 30% faster graphics, there is no sense in upgrading from your M5, or even another recent model, to the new one.
Remember that 2025’s MacBook Pro with the M5 chip started at $1,599. But this year’s M6 version starts at $1,999, which is a $400 price increase, with few new upgrades to offer.
Pre-orders for the new M6 14-inch MacBook Pro start at 10:10 a.m. PT on 28th October, with deliveries beginning on 6th November. You can view pricing for different builds and place your order on Apple’s website.
Also, check out: New iPad mini 2026 vs. old iPad mini 2024