Skip to main content

Leaked code all but confirms that new M-series iMacs could launch soon

An unreleased Apple iMac with an M-series processor could already be in the wild somewhere on the desk of a developer. Screenshots circulating crash code from Apple’s Xcode integrated development environment were recently obtained by 9to5Mac and point to the existence of an ARM-based iMac.

This is best to be taken lightly, but a new iMac has been long-rumored for a launch sometime in 2021. Some reports have also been pointing to a redesigned model with a flat back, new colors, and thinner bezels. The fact that a developer is already in possession of the updated model could be evidence of an upcoming product launch.

The XCode crash log

The screenshot of the code in question can be seen above, and 9to5Mac says it has looked at the crash report file and confirmed that it did in fact happen on an ARM 64 device. As you can see, it mentions iMac under the device name and also has the operating system version, as well as the thread and binary information. No other information about the design or specs of the alleged iMac is available.

Recommended Videos

Xcode is typically used by developers to code new apps for Apple’s Macs. This screenshot was originally shared on Twitter by the developer Dennis Oberhoff, but 9to5Mac took a deeper dive at the code and reports that the tool is able to pick up device models before they are released, especially whenever Apple’s own engineering team tests third-party apps internally on the device. It could be that Apple was testing Dennis Oberhoff’s app on a new iMac somewhere in the world, but was not careful to mask its tracks.

Apple already stopped selling versions of the 1080p 21.5-inch iMac with 512GB and 1TB SSDs on its website and has also discontinued the iMac Pro. It is not uncommon for Apple to stop selling older products right before a refresh, and with this latest leak in Xcode, there’s definitely a chances that there is a new iMac out there.

An Apple Spring event is also reportedly on the way soon, timed for the end of March or in April. It would not be too surprising if Apple releases a new iMac at this event, though it usually holds separate events for iPad, iPhone, and Mac launches. We’ll just have to wait and see, but for now, there’s a lot of hope on the horizon.

Arif Bacchus
Arif Bacchus is a native New Yorker and a fan of all things technology. Arif works as a freelance writer at Digital Trends…
Forget the iPhone 17, new leak says wait for the iPhone 18
iOS 18 logo on the iPhone 16 Pro

The iPhone 17 isn't even out yet and already we're getting word about the following model and signs suggest the iPhone 18 is worth waiting for.

Apple has been reported as working on the manufacturing process for its A20 chip. This, according to GF Securities' Apple analyst Jeff Pu, is a chip that is going to be built on the mind-melting 2nm scale known as N2.

Read more
The M5 iPad Pro launch may have less focus on feature upgrades
Watching video on M4 iPad Pro.

If you were looking to save money on an iPad Pro with an OLED display, you can go ahead and invest in the M4 iPad Pro because the M5 iPad Pro might not have any new features to set it apart from its predecessor.

Details from the research firm, Meritz Securities suggest that upgrades for the upcoming professional-tier iPad may primarily come down to the M5 chip, with Apple expected to save bigger feature overhauls for subsequent generations of the tablet series.

Read more
I went hands-on with Apple’s M4 MacBook Air and the app performance blew me away
M4 MacBook Air

Apple is marching in with new products for the spring, including a new MacBook Air featuring the M4 chip, a new iPad Air, uniquely featuring the M3 chip, and a new Mac Studio desktop, with M4 Max and M3 Ultra chip options. While enthusiasts await the launch of the coveted M5 chip series devices, including the MacBook Pro and iPad Pro later this year– the tech brand has brought in the expected refresh of its early-year devices. Notably, the MacBook Air and iPad Air see yearly upgrades, while the Mac Studio is getting its first revamp since 2023.

While largely maintaining their external designs, most changes to the devices can be found by way of hardware and AI support upgrades. Apple is looking to showcase Apple Intelligence app integration as functional and accessible to users. The brand is competing on the market with many on-device AI experiences, such as Microsoft’s Copilot+ PCs and Chromebooks inundated with Google Gemini. 

Read more