Apple MacBook Air 13 (M5) vs Apple MacBook Air 15 (M4)

Updated Aug 2026 · Scored by the Let’s Compare Data Engine · How we score

For most buyers the Apple MacBook Air 13 (M5) is the better pick — it scores 51/100 to the Apple MacBook Air 15 (M4)'s 48, leading on Processor and Integrated Graphics. Choose the Apple MacBook Air 15 (M4) instead if display and sound matter most to you, where it comes out ahead.

Performance is scored from the laptop's CPU and GPU; few laptops have a published whole-system benchmark.

Verdict

Our overall take, at a glance

Apple MacBook Air 13 (M5) and Apple MacBook Air 15 (M4) are closely matched

Apple MacBook Air 13 (M5)

Apple MacBook Air 15 (M4)

Where Apple MacBook Air 13 (M5) stands out

Storage capacity: 512 GB (100% more)
Processor model: Apple M5
Connectivity Wi-Fi technology: Wi-Fi 7

Where Apple MacBook Air 15 (M4) stands out

Memory Technology: Unified
Display resolution: 2880 × 1864 px
Sound Number of speakers: 6

Watch-outs

Compromises to know before you buy

Apple MacBook Air 13 (M5)

RAM is soldered — you can't upgrade it later, so buy enough now.
Storage isn't user-upgradeable.
60 Hz panel — less smooth than 120 Hz+ rivals.
No HDMI — you'll need a dongle for projectors/TVs.

Apple MacBook Air 15 (M4)

RAM is soldered — you can't upgrade it later, so buy enough now.
Storage isn't user-upgradeable.
60 Hz panel — less smooth than 120 Hz+ rivals.
No HDMI — you'll need a dongle for projectors/TVs.

Winner by category for Apple MacBook Air 13 (M5) vs Apple MacBook Air 15 (M4)
Category	Apple MacBook Air 13 (M5)	Apple MacBook Air 15 (M4)	Winner
Processor	60	55	Apple MacBook Air 13 (M5)
Integrated Graphics	40	37	Apple MacBook Air 13 (M5)
Discrete Graphics	0	0	Tie
Memory	49	51	Tie
Storage	56	27	Apple MacBook Air 13 (M5)
Display	46	52	Apple MacBook Air 15 (M4)
Sound	56	67	Apple MacBook Air 15 (M4)
Webcam	50	50	Tie
Battery	42	58	Apple MacBook Air 15 (M4)
Connectivity	87	72	Apple MacBook Air 13 (M5)
Input	85	85	Tie
Ports	49	49	Tie
Design & Weight	59	41	Apple MacBook Air 13 (M5)
Security	50	50	Tie
Performance	41	33	Apple MacBook Air 13 (M5)

In-depth analysisAI

AI-generated from the cited sources — may be incomplete or inaccurate; verify important details before deciding · generated Aug 2026.

Apple MacBook Air 13 (M5)

The Apple MacBook Air M5 is a mid-tier subnotebook designed for everyday consumer and lightweight use, sitting between the entry-level MacBook Neo and the premium MacBook Pro. Powered by the Apple M5 system-on-a-chip, this model is offered in 13-inch and 15-inch screen sizes and features integrated Apple graphics.

Best for Everyday productivity and lightweight portable computingBest for Users prioritizing high-speed Wi-Fi 7 connectivity

Pros

Updated wireless capabilities featuring a Wi-Fi 7 and Bluetooth 6.0 card
Available in both 13.6-inch and 15.3-inch Liquid Retina display configurations
Configurable with up to 32 GB of unified memory and 2 TB of storage

Cons

Soldered storage and unified memory cannot be upgraded by the user after purchase

Source

MacBook Air (Apple silicon) - WikipediaProvides historical context, product tiering in the 2026 lineup, screen size options, and base hardware specifications.

Video — reviews used (2)

Highlights reviewer comparisons, evaluation categories, and specific hardware details such as Wi-Fi 7 and Bluetooth 6.0 support.

Generated Aug 6, 2026

Apple MacBook Air 15 (M4)

The Apple MacBook Air M4 15 is a thin-and-light subnotebook designed for users seeking a large-screen portable experience without the bulk of a professional-grade machine. Powered by the Apple M4 system-on-a-chip, it features a 15.3-inch Liquid Retina display and a completely passive, fanless cooling system.

Best for Students and professionals who prioritize a large display and silent operationBest for Light creative tasks like on-the-go photo and video editing without the weight…

Pros

Completely silent operation thanks to its fanless design
Spacious 15.3-inch Liquid Retina display offers ample screen real estate
Improved performance-to-cost ratio with a more competitive starting price
Excellent battery life and responsiveness for daily multitasking

Cons

Limited selection of built-in ports compared to the MacBook Pro line
Absence of an active cooling fan can lead to thermal throttling during sustained, heavy processing tasks

Source

MacBook Air (Apple silicon) - WikipediaProvided context on the MacBook Air product line, hardware dimensions, display sizes, and the transition to fanless Apple silicon.

Video — reviews used (2)

Offered evaluations on the M4 version's pricing drops, battery performance, port limitations, and CPU capabilities.

Generated Jun 30, 2026

Value for Money

Which is the better deal for the price

Pre-filled with launch prices where known — enter today's price for an up-to-date check. Use the same currency for both.

Apple MacBook Air 13 (M5)

Check Price on Amazon

Apple MacBook Air 15 (M4)

Check Price on Amazon

Performance

Higher benchmark score = faster

Apple MacBook Air 13 (M5)26,857

Apple MacBook Air 15 (M4)23,566

See the raw benchmark values →

Benchmark score — a measured indicator of raw performance, not a guarantee of real-world speed.

Battery capacity

Larger cell — a hardware spec, not battery life

Apple MacBook Air 13 (M5)53.8 Wh

Apple MacBook Air 15 (M4)66.5 Wh

Capacity is the raw battery size. Real-world battery life depends just as much on the processor, software and display.

Physical Comparison

Weigh them up, then compare real dimensions in 3D

Apple MacBook Air 13 (M5)Apple MacBook Air 15 (M4)

Apple MacBook Air 15 (M4) is 0.28 kg (23%) heavier than Apple MacBook Air 13 (M5).

Review Videos

Hand-picked expert reviews for each product

Detailed Specifications

The full spec sheet, side by side

Processor

Feature	Apple MacBook Air 13 (M5)	Apple MacBook Air 15 (M4)
Processor model

Integrated Graphics

Feature	Apple MacBook Air 13 (M5)	Apple MacBook Air 15 (M4)
Integrated graphics model	Apple M5

Memory

Feature	Apple MacBook Air 13 (M5)	Apple MacBook Air 15 (M4)
Memory capacity	16 GB	16 GB
Technology
Memory upgradeable	No	No

Storage

Feature	Apple MacBook Air 13 (M5)	Apple MacBook Air 15 (M4)
Storage capacity	512 GB100% more	256 GB
Socket type	N/A
PCIe version	N/A	N/A
Storage upgradeable	No	No

Display

Feature	Apple MacBook Air 13 (M5)	Apple MacBook Air 15 (M4)
Size	13.6 in	15.3 in13% more
Display resolution	2560 × 1664 px	2880 × 1864 px
Aspect ratio	16:10	16:10
Refresh rate	60 Hz	60 Hz
Response time	N/A	N/A
Display type	Liquid Retina IPS
Brightness	500 nits	500 nits
Has pen support	N/A	No
Has touch support	No	No
Screen-to-body ratio	83%	85%

Sound

Feature	Apple MacBook Air 13 (M5)	Apple MacBook Air 15 (M4)
Number of speakers	4	6
Power	N/A	N/A
Has Dolby Atmos	Yes	Yes
Number of microphones	3	3

Webcam

Feature	Apple MacBook Air 13 (M5)	Apple MacBook Air 15 (M4)
Webcam resolution	1920 × 1080 px	1920 × 1080 px

Battery

Feature	Apple MacBook Air 13 (M5)	Apple MacBook Air 15 (M4)
Battery capacity	53.8 Wh	66.5 Wh24% more
Maximum charge power	70 W	70 W

Connectivity

Feature	Apple MacBook Air 13 (M5)	Apple MacBook Air 15 (M4)
Wi-Fi technology
Bluetooth technology	Bluetooth 6

Input

Feature	Apple MacBook Air 13 (M5)	Apple MacBook Air 15 (M4)
Has a backlit keyboard	Yes	Yes
Has a numpad	No	No

Ports

Feature	Apple MacBook Air 13 (M5)	Apple MacBook Air 15 (M4)
USB Type A	0	0
USB Type C	2	2
Thunderbolt technology
Has an HDMI port	No	No
Has a card reader	No	No
Has a headphone jack	Yes	Yes

Design & Weight

Feature	Apple MacBook Air 13 (M5)	Apple MacBook Air 15 (M4)
Color	N/A
Dimensions	21.5 × 30.41 × 1.13 cm	34.04 × 23.76 × 1.15 cm
Weight	1.23 kg19% less	1.51 kg

Security

Feature	Apple MacBook Air 13 (M5)	Apple MacBook Air 15 (M4)
Has a fingerprint scanner	Yes	Yes
Has infrared face recognition support	No	No

Performance

Feature	Apple MacBook Air 13 (M5)	Apple MacBook Air 15 (M4)
PassMark CPU Mark	26,85714% more	23,566
Active cooling	No	No
Release Date	March 11, 2026	March 12, 2025

Specification Note

Specifications are compiled from official manufacturer data and other reliable internet sources. Some features may vary by region or model configuration.

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Apple MacBook Air 13 (M5) vs Apple MacBook Air 15 (M4) comparison

They are closely matched: Apple MacBook Air 13 (M5) scores 45/100 and Apple MacBook Air 15 (M4) scores 43/100 in our overall comparison — within 2 points. Neither is a clear winner overall, so the decision comes down to the specific features and price that matter most to you.

Apple MacBook Air 13 (M5) and Apple MacBook Air 15 (M4) are compared side by side above across every spec in the laptops category — including performance, features and design — each scored 0–100 so you can see exactly where one leads the other. Our overall scores are 45/100 for Apple MacBook Air 13 (M5) and 43/100 for Apple MacBook Air 15 (M4).

At launch, Apple MacBook Air 13 (M5) was the more affordable option ($1099) versus Apple MacBook Air 15 (M4) ($1199). Weigh that against the overall scores (45/100 vs 43/100) and the value-for-money meter above to judge whether the higher-rated model justifies its price for your needs. Current retail prices vary — check the retailer.

It's close — Apple MacBook Air 13 (M5) (45/100) and Apple MacBook Air 15 (M4) (43/100) score almost the same. Pick based on price and the individual specs that matter most to you; the comparison above shows where each one pulls ahead.