Apple M6 and M5 Ultra Chips Announced with Huge AI and Performance Upgrades and 80-Core GPU: Here's What's New

Apple has officially unveiled its latest desktop silicon, introducing the M6 and M5 Ultra chips for its updated Mac lineup. The new processors are designed to deliver faster performance while improving on-device AI capabilities for professional users.

The M6 chip brings Apple's move to a 2-nanometer fabrication process, while the more powerful M5 Ultra uses a new quad-die architecture enabled by UltraFusion technology. Together, the chips target users ranging from everyday professionals to creators, developers and researchers.

Apple M6 Gets 2nm Process

The Apple M6 marks the company's transition to a 2-nanometer fabrication process. It features a 12-core CPU with what Apple describes as the world's fastest CPU core, alongside a 12-core GPU with dedicated Neural Accelerators.

The chip also includes a Dual 16-core Neural Engine and up to 170GB/s of unified memory bandwidth. Apple says the combination of updated compute blocks and improved energy efficiency allows the compact Mac mini to handle demanding workloads.

M5 Ultra Gets Quad-Die Architecture

The more powerful M5 Ultra is designed for demanding professional workloads. It uses next-generation UltraFusion technology to create a quad-die architecture, described as the first quad-die configuration in an M-series system-on-chip.

The processor packs a 36-core CPU and 80-core GPU, while offering up to 1.2TB/s of unified memory bandwidth. Apple says this represents a 50 per cent improvement over the M3 Ultra.

The company also says the M5 Ultra allows professionals to run complex machine learning models directly on desktop computers, making it particularly suited to creators, developers and researchers.

Apple M6 vs M5 Ultra: Specifications

New Apple Silicon Focuses on AI

The new chips are designed to support Apple's growing focus on on-device artificial intelligence. They are scheduled to run macOS 27, which is expected to launch this autumn with deeper Apple Intelligence integration.

Apple says the updated software will support languages including English, French, Spanish, German, Italian, Portuguese, Turkish, Simplified Chinese and Korean. However, feature availability will vary depending on region and language.

M6 and M5 Ultra Target Different Users

The M6 focuses on bringing Apple's latest 2nm silicon technology and improved efficiency to compact desktop systems, while the M5 Ultra targets professionals who need significantly higher processing and graphics performance.

With up to 80 GPU cores, 1.2TB/s memory bandwidth and stronger machine learning capabilities, the M5 Ultra is positioned as Apple's high-end solution for demanding professional workloads.