The M4 MacBook Air is not still on the way: Apple announced it on March 5, 2025, and it went on sale March 12, 2025. Apple’s confirmed update brought the M4 chip, 16GB of starting unified memory, a 12MP Center Stage camera, and support for two external displays. Apple has not established what a later MacBook Air will bring, so “what’s next” here means what arrived with the M4 generation—not an unconfirmed future model.
What did Apple announce?
Apple announced 13-inch and 15-inch M4 MacBook Air models in four finishes: sky blue, midnight, starlight, and silver. The chip has a 10-core CPU and up to a 10-core GPU. Apple listed 16GB of unified memory as the starting configuration, with options up to 32GB. The announcement also highlighted a 12MP Center Stage camera, the ability to connect two external displays while using the built-in screen, and battery life of up to 18 hours.
Apple promoted Apple Intelligence features including Image Playground, Genmoji, and Writing Tools. Its launch announcement said Apple Intelligence was available on Macs with M1 or later, subject to language and regional rollout, and cautioned that features and services may not be available everywhere. Check Apple’s current availability information for your language and region before relying on a specific feature.
What changed with the M4 generation?
M4 chip and memory
The M4 replaced the previous generation’s chip in this Air lineup. Apple’s 2025 announcement listed a 10-core CPU, up to a 10-core GPU, and 16GB of starting unified memory, configurable up to 32GB. Apple’s performance comparisons are manufacturer claims, not independent benchmark results.
#1 Best Overall
- BUILT FOR COLLEGE. AND BEYOND — MacBook Air with the M5 chip packs blazing speed and powerful AI capabilities into an incredibly portable design. And with up to 18 hours of battery life,* this thin and light powerhouse is ready to take on almost any major, just about anywhere.
- TEAR THROUGH TOUGH ASSIGNMENTS — With its faster CPU and unified memory, the M5 chip delivers even more performance and fluidity across apps, making multitasking and creative workflows smooth and responsive. A powerful Neural Engine and next-generation GPU with Neural Accelerators give you a powerful platform for AI.
- MAKE QUICK WORK OF YOUR TO-DO LIST — Apple Intelligence helps you write, express yourself, and get things done effortlessly — whether it’s for school or everyday life. With groundbreaking privacy protections, it gives you peace of mind that no one else can access your data — not even Apple.*
- UP TO 18 HOURS OF BATTERY LIFE — MacBook Air delivers incredible battery life with amazing performance, so you can power through a full day of classes without worrying about plugging in.
- A BRILLIANT 13.6-INCH DISPLAY* — The gorgeous Liquid Retina display on MacBook Air supports 1 billion colors, making photos and videos pop with rich contrast and sharp detail, and text appears supercrisp. So everything — from class presentations to movies to games — looks truly stunning.
Center Stage camera
The built-in camera is a 12MP Center Stage camera. Center Stage can keep a person framed during video calls, and the camera supports Desk View, which can show a view of the desk below the display.
Two external displays
Both models support two external displays in addition to the built-in screen. Apple’s specifications say each external display can be up to 6K resolution at 60Hz. The Air has two Thunderbolt 4/USB-C ports, a MagSafe 3 charging port, and a 3.5 mm headphone jack.
Rank #2
- BUILT FOR COLLEGE. AND BEYOND — MacBook Air with the M5 chip packs blazing speed and powerful AI capabilities into an incredibly portable design. And with up to 18 hours of battery life,* this thin and light powerhouse is ready to take on almost any major, just about anywhere.
- TEAR THROUGH TOUGH ASSIGNMENTS — With its faster CPU and unified memory, the M5 chip delivers even more performance and fluidity across apps, making multitasking and creative workflows smooth and responsive. A powerful Neural Engine and next-generation GPU with Neural Accelerators give you a powerful platform for AI.
- MAKE QUICK WORK OF YOUR TO-DO LIST — Apple Intelligence helps you write, express yourself, and get things done effortlessly — whether it’s for school or everyday life. With groundbreaking privacy protections, it gives you peace of mind that no one else can access your data — not even Apple.*
- UP TO 18 HOURS OF BATTERY LIFE — MacBook Air delivers incredible battery life with amazing performance, so you can power through a full day of classes without worrying about plugging in.
- A BRILLIANT 13.6-INCH DISPLAY* — The gorgeous Liquid Retina display on MacBook Air supports 1 billion colors, making photos and videos pop with rich contrast and sharp detail, and text appears supercrisp. So everything — from class presentations to movies to games — looks truly stunning.
Battery estimates and materials
Apple advertises up to 18 hours of battery life. Its 13-inch specification breaks that estimate out as up to 18 hours of video streaming or up to 15 hours of wireless web use. Apple says its battery figures come from tests on pre-production systems under specified conditions; they are estimates, not independent test results or a guarantee of runtime for every workload.
Apple said the M4 Air contains more than 55 percent recycled content overall, including 100 percent recycled aluminum in the enclosure and more than 95 percent recycled lithium in the battery. These are Apple-reported figures.
Rank #3
- BUILT FOR COLLEGE. AND BEYOND — MacBook Air with the M5 chip packs blazing speed and powerful AI capabilities into an incredibly portable design. And with up to 18 hours of battery life,* this thin and light powerhouse is ready to take on almost any major, just about anywhere.
- TEAR THROUGH TOUGH ASSIGNMENTS — With its faster CPU and unified memory, the M5 chip delivers even more performance and fluidity across apps, making multitasking and creative workflows smooth and responsive. A powerful Neural Engine and next-generation GPU with Neural Accelerators give you a powerful platform for AI.
- MAKE QUICK WORK OF YOUR TO-DO LIST — Apple Intelligence helps you write, express yourself, and get things done effortlessly — whether it’s for school or everyday life. With groundbreaking privacy protections, it gives you peace of mind that no one else can access your data — not even Apple.*
- UP TO 18 HOURS OF BATTERY LIFE — MacBook Air delivers incredible battery life with amazing performance, so you can power through a full day of classes without worrying about plugging in.
- A BRILLIANT 13.6-INCH DISPLAY* — The gorgeous Liquid Retina display on MacBook Air supports 1 billion colors, making photos and videos pop with rich contrast and sharp detail, and text appears supercrisp. So everything — from class presentations to movies to games — looks truly stunning.
How do the 13-inch and 15-inch models compare?
The main clear distinction is display area and starting price. Apple’s technical specifications list a 13.6-inch screen for the 13-inch Air and a 15.3-inch screen for the 15-inch Air. The larger model gives you more screen space; choose between them based on how much portability or workspace matters to you, rather than assuming the 15-inch version is faster.
| Model | Display | U.S. launch starting price (2025) | Configuration details in Apple’s specifications | Battery estimate stated by Apple |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 13-inch M4 MacBook Air | 13.6 inches | $999; $899 education starting price | 16GB starting unified memory; storage options listed at 256GB, configurable to 512GB, 1TB, or 2TB | Up to 18 hours video streaming; up to 15 hours wireless web |
| 15-inch M4 MacBook Air | 15.3 inches | $1,199; $1,099 education starting price | 16GB unified memory, configurable to 24GB or 32GB; SSD options up to 2TB | Up to 18 hours, as stated in Apple’s announcement; see the applicable model specification for test details |
The prices above are Apple’s U.S. launch prices from 2025, not verified October 2026 prices. Configuration choices can vary by size and chip/GPU configuration, so confirm the exact specification and price for the model you are considering.
Rank #4
- BUILT FOR COLLEGE. AND BEYOND — MacBook Air with the M5 chip packs blazing speed and powerful AI capabilities into an incredibly portable design. And with up to 18 hours of battery life,* this thin and light powerhouse is ready to take on almost any major, just about anywhere.
- TEAR THROUGH TOUGH ASSIGNMENTS — With its faster CPU and unified memory, the M5 chip delivers even more performance and fluidity across apps, making multitasking and creative workflows smooth and responsive. A powerful Neural Engine and next-generation GPU with Neural Accelerators give you a powerful platform for AI.
- MAKE QUICK WORK OF YOUR TO-DO LIST — Apple Intelligence helps you write, express yourself, and get things done effortlessly — whether it’s for school or everyday life. With groundbreaking privacy protections, it gives you peace of mind that no one else can access your data — not even Apple.*
- UP TO 18 HOURS OF BATTERY LIFE — MacBook Air delivers incredible battery life with amazing performance, so you can power through a full day of classes without worrying about plugging in.
- A BRILLIANT 13.6-INCH DISPLAY* — The gorgeous Liquid Retina display on MacBook Air supports 1 billion colors, making photos and videos pop with rich contrast and sharp detail, and text appears supercrisp. So everything — from class presentations to movies to games — looks truly stunning.
What does “coming next” mean now?
The phrase made sense before the launch, when the M4 Air was still a rumored upcoming product. A January 13, 2025, 9to5Mac video title framed the laptop around “4 New Features Coming to the M4 MacBook Air,” but the available information does not verify the video’s individual predictions. Apple’s March announcement is the basis for what actually arrived. It does not establish a release date, features, or specifications for a later MacBook Air. Treat claims about a successor as unconfirmed unless Apple announces them.
Which size should you consider?
- Consider the 13-inch model if a smaller display and a lower launch starting price are more important to you.
- Consider the 15-inch model if you prefer a larger built-in display for working with multiple windows or viewing content.
- Compare current configurations and prices before buying: the figures above describe the U.S. launch in 2025, not today’s retail offers.
For charging, Apple lists MagSafe 3 and says the MacBook Air supports fast charging with a 70W USB-C power adapter. For peripherals and external displays, account for the two Thunderbolt 4/USB-C ports when planning your setup.
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Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
