iMac 2016 Release Date And Specs: Kaby Lake Processor And No Non-Retina Models?

It's been only a few months since the arrival of the last update in Apple's iMac lineup, but rumors are already swirling around about a possible iMac 2016 release looming on the horizon.

Nothing is concrete yet, but it's highly possible that the release date of the iMac 2016 has been impacted with Intel's chip delays. 

Also, based on the fact that the last update in the lineup came in October 2015, it is possible that new models will hit store shelves, not before the final quarter.

As pointed out by MacRumors, it is hard to predict what chip Apple plans to go with in the upcoming iMacs. 

Intel is not going to release desktop class socketed Skylake chips with integrated Iris or Iris Pro graphics that would ideally match all lower-end iMacs with integrated graphics.

With that into consideration, it becomes apparent that currently Apple has no suitable option at its disposal, which in turn, makes it incredibly difficult to predict any possible processor upgrade in the next-generation iMacs.

However, Intel is reportedly planning to release Kaby Lake processor, a 14-nanometer successor to the Skylake, in the second half of 2016. 

It made some analysts to suggest that the next iMac models could carry the Kaby Lake.

Having stated that, Intel has so far refrained from disclosing anything concrete about the Kaby Lake apart from that it will come in several variants. 

And that makes it virtually impossible to predict whether or not it will be an apt choice for the iMac. Also, odds are high Kaby Lake could see a delay in production.

Reports on other features are equally sketchy at present. 

However, it is possible that with hardware prices coming down, the iPhone maker may discontinue all non-Retina 21.5-inch models when iMac 2016 release date arrives.