LaptopMastery is reader-supported. If you buy through a link on this page we may earn a commission, at no extra cost to you. As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases. Prices and configurations change often, so always check the listing before you buy. Last checked: October 12, 2026.
Short answer: if you’re buying new, get the M5. It costs about $100 more at list price but doubles the base storage to 512GB, adds Wi-Fi 7, and is meaningfully faster for AI and graphics. If you already own an M4 MacBook Air, don’t upgrade: day-to-day, they feel almost identical. A discounted or refurbished M4 is still a great buy if the price gap is big.
In this article
M5 vs M4 MacBook Air: what changed
| MacBook Air M5 (2026) | MacBook Air M4 (2025) | |
|---|---|---|
| CPU | 10-core (faster performance cores) | 10-core |
| Multithreaded CPU | Up to ~15% faster (Apple) | — |
| Graphics | Up to ~30% faster; Neural Accelerators in every GPU core | — |
| AI tasks | Up to 4× faster (Apple) | — |
| Memory bandwidth | 153GB/s | 120GB/s |
| Base memory / storage | 16GB / 512GB | 16GB / 256GB |
| SSD speed | Up to 2× faster (Apple) | — |
| Wireless | Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 6 | Wi-Fi 6E, Bluetooth 5.3 |
| Display, ports, design | Unchanged | Unchanged |
| Launch price (13″ / 15″) | $1,099 / $1,299 | $999 / $1,199 |
Performance figures are Apple’s claims and independent reviews broadly agree: roughly 12–15% faster on the CPU, with bigger gains in graphics and AI workloads.
What stayed the same
The design, weight (about 2.7 lb for the 13-inch), 13.6-inch and 15.3-inch Liquid Retina displays, keyboard, trackpad, two Thunderbolt ports and MagSafe are identical. Battery life is rated the same (up to 18 hours of video). If you put them side by side, you can’t tell them apart.
Who should buy the M5
- Anyone buying new. The jump from 256GB to 512GB of storage alone is worth more than the $100 difference. Upgrading storage on the M4 cost $200.
- People using AI features, local AI models or creative apps that use the GPU.
- Anyone keeping the laptop 5+ years, since Wi-Fi 7 and the newer chip will age better.
Our pick
MacBook Air 13-inch (M5)
The best laptop for most people, now with 512GB of storage as standard. Also available as a 15-inch model.
Good: 512GB base storage, faster chip, Wi-Fi 7, same great design and battery life.
Not so good: $100 more than the M4 at launch; only two ports.
Who should buy the M4
- Bargain hunters: the new 13-inch M4 has largely sold out on Amazon, but renewed units and retailer clearance stock can be significantly cheaper. At $150+ less than the M5, the M4 is excellent value.
- Light users who only browse, write and stream won’t notice the speed difference.
Best value
MacBook Air 13-inch (M4), Renewed
Amazon Renewed units are inspected and come with a warranty. Make sure the listing says 16GB of memory. Apple Certified Refurbished is another good source with a full one-year Apple warranty.
Good: Much cheaper, practically the same daily experience.
Not so good: 256GB base storage, older Wi-Fi, refurbished condition varies by seller.
Should M4 owners upgrade?
No. The M5 is a solid step forward, but not a reason to replace a one-year-old laptop. M1 and M2 owners, on the other hand, will notice a real difference in speed, especially if their current Mac has 8GB of memory.
Related
Which MacBook should you buy? (Neo vs Air vs Pro) · Best monitors for MacBook Air · USB-C hubs for MacBooks
