Apple made headlines in 2020 with the introduction of Apple Silicon, marking a shift from Intel processors to its proprietary chips over the course of two years, completed in mid-2023. Anticipation builds for the release of new Mac computers featuring the forthcoming M5 chip by the end of 2023. Meanwhile, fresh insights into future processors slated for 2026 and 2027 have emerged, alongside developments related to artificial intelligence server chips designed to handle cloud-based AI tasks.
Leaked Codenames Reveal Apple’s M5, M6, and AI Server Chips
A recent report from Bloomberg highlights Apple’s ongoing project involving the M6 chip, set to energize Mac computers expected in 2026. This next-generation processor is internally codenamed Komodo and is planned for release one year after the anticipated M5 chip appears in the latest MacBook Pro and iPad Pro models.
Additionally, Apple is said to be working on the M7 chip, codenamed Borneo. Based on Apple’s historical timeline for chip launches, the M7 is likely to be introduced in 2027, continuing the company’s evolution of its silicon lineup.
The report also uncovers plans for another advanced chip known as ‘Sotra.’ While details remain scarce regarding how it differs from existing Apple Silicon processors, it is identified as a high-performance chip intended for Mac models. Further information on its specifications or release date is yet to be announced.
In a separate but related development, Apple is focusing on the creation of specialized chips for its AI servers. While many of the company’s AI functionalities operate directly on devices, some capabilities are expected to be processed through remote servers. This transitions certain AI requests from local devices to more powerful, dedicated server chips, rather than utilizing the company’s Mac chips.
One of the key advantages of these new AI server chips is expected to be their architecture, featuring up to eight times the CPU and GPU cores compared to the leading M3 Ultra chip. Known internally as ‘Baltra,’ this initiative could be finalized within the next few years.
