Apple MacBook Air 13 (M4, 2025) vs MacBook Air 13 (M5, 2026): Which Laptop Is Better? - RTINGS.com

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Tested using Methodology v0.9.1

Updated Aug 27, 2026 04:01 PM

Tested using Methodology v0.9.1

Updated Sep 14, 2026 01:50 PM

Apple MacBook Air 13 (M4, 2025) Picture

Apple MacBook Air 13 (M5, 2026) Picture

Size 13.6"

Operating System macOS

Size 13.6"

Operating System macOS

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13-14 Inch

Our Verdict

Apple MacBook Air 13 (M4, 2025)

Apple MacBook Air 13 (M5, 2026)

The Apple MacBook Air 13 (M5, 2026) is a modest upgrade over the Apple MacBook Air 13 (M4, 2025). Both use the same chassis and have nearly identical displays, keyboards, touchpads, webcams, and port selections. The M5 model has faster CPU and GPU performance, a much faster base SSD, Wi-Fi 7, and Bluetooth 6. It also starts with 512GB of storage and is configurable up to 4TB, whereas the M4 model starts at 256GB and tops out at 2TB. The M4 is still a good choice if you can find it at a significantly lower price and you don't need the extra performance or storage.

Variants

MacBook Air 13 (‎‎MW133LL/A) (Midnight - M4 (10-core CPU/10-core GPU)/16GB/512GB)
MacBook Air 13 (MC6C4LL/A) (Midnight - M4 (10-core CPU/10-core GPU)/24GB/512GB)

MacBook Air 13 (MDHF4LL/A) (Midnight - M5 (10-core CPU, 10-core GPU)/16GB/1TB)
MacBook Air 13 (‎‎‎‎MDHG4LL/A) (Midnight - M5 (10-core CPU, 10-core GPU)/24GB/1TB)

Review

See Apple MacBook Air 13 (M4, 2025) Review

See Apple MacBook Air 13 (M5, 2026) Review

Check Price

Main Differences for

General Productivity

Threshold

0.10

General Productivity

0.0

0.0

JOIN NOW to see main differences

Full Comparison

General Productivity

0.0

0.0

Multimedia

0.0

0.0

Gaming

0.0

0.0

Workstation

0.0

0.0

Design

Style

Style Photo

Apple MacBook Air 13 (M4, 2025) Style Photo Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Apple MacBook Air 13 (M5, 2026) Style Photo Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Form Factor

Locked

Locked

Build Quality

N/A

N/A

Build Quality Photo

Apple MacBook Air 13 (M4, 2025) Build Quality Photo Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Apple MacBook Air 13 (M5, 2026) Build Quality Photo Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Hinge

N/A

N/A

Hinge Photo

Apple MacBook Air 13 (M4, 2025) Hinge Photo Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Apple MacBook Air 13 (M5, 2026) Hinge Photo Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Range

Lock°

Lock°

Stability

Locked

Locked

One Finger Lift

Locked

Locked

Portability

N/A

N/A

Dimensions Photo

Apple MacBook Air 13 (M4, 2025) Dimensions Photo Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Apple MacBook Air 13 (M5, 2026) Dimensions Photo Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Size

Lock"

Lock"

Thickness

Lock" (Lock cm)

Lock" (Lock cm)

Width

Lock" (Lock cm)

N/A

Depth

Lock" (Lock cm)

Lock" (Lock cm)

Volume

Lock in³ (Lock cm³)

Lock in³ (Lock cm³)

Weight

Lock lbs (Lock kg)

Lock lbs (Lock kg)

Charger Size

Lock in³ (Lock cm³)

Lock in³ (Lock cm³)

Charger Weight

Lock lbs (Lock kg)

Lock lbs (Lock kg)

Serviceability

N/A

N/A

Internals Photo

Apple MacBook Air 13 (M4, 2025) Internals Photo Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Apple MacBook Air 13 (M5, 2026) Internals Photo Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Ease Of Access

0.0

0.0

RAM Slots

Locked

Locked

Storage Slots

Locked

Locked

Replaceable Battery

Locked

Locked

Replaceable Wireless Adapter

Locked

Locked

In The Box

In The Box Photo

Apple MacBook Air 13 (M4, 2025) In The Box Photo Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Apple MacBook Air 13 (M5, 2026) In The Box Photo Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Display

Screen Specs

Display Photo

Apple MacBook Air 13 (M4, 2025) Display Photo Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Apple MacBook Air 13 (M5, 2026) Display Photo Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Resolution

Locked

Locked

Aspect Ratio

Locked

Locked

Pixel Density

Lock PPI

Lock PPI

Panel Type

Locked

Locked

Touch Screen

Locked

Locked

Screen-To-Body Ratio

Lock%

Lock%

Refresh Rate

N/A

N/A

Motion Blur

Apple MacBook Air 13 (M4, 2025) Motion Blur Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Apple MacBook Air 13 (M5, 2026) Motion Blur Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Refresh Rate

Lock Hz

Lock Hz

Variable Refresh Rate

Locked

Locked

Contrast

N/A

N/A

Contrast Photo

Apple MacBook Air 13 (M4, 2025) Contrast Photo Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Apple MacBook Air 13 (M5, 2026) Contrast Photo Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Native Contrast

Lock : 1

Lock : 1

Brightness

N/A

N/A

Maximum Brightness

Lock cd/m²

Lock cd/m²

Minimum Brightness

Lock cd/m²

Lock cd/m²

Reflections

N/A

N/A

Reflections Photo Off

Apple MacBook Air 13 (M4, 2025) Reflections Photo Off Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Apple MacBook Air 13 (M5, 2026) Reflections Photo Off Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Reflections Photo Max

Apple MacBook Air 13 (M4, 2025) Reflections Photo Max Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Apple MacBook Air 13 (M5, 2026) Reflections Photo Max Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Screen Finish

Locked

Locked

Total Reflections

Lock%

Lock%

Indirect Reflections

Lock%

Lock%

Calculated Direct Reflections

Lock%

Lock%

Black Uniformity

N/A

N/A

Black Uniformity Photo

Apple MacBook Air 13 (M4, 2025) Black Uniformity Photo Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Apple MacBook Air 13 (M5, 2026) Black Uniformity Photo Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Uniformity (Std. Dev.)

Lock%

Lock%

Out-Of-The-Box Color Accuracy

N/A

N/A

White Balance Screencap

Apple MacBook Air 13 (M4, 2025) White Balance Screencap Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Apple MacBook Air 13 (M5, 2026) White Balance Screencap Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Gamma Curve Screencap

Apple MacBook Air 13 (M4, 2025) Gamma Curve Screencap Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Apple MacBook Air 13 (M5, 2026) Gamma Curve Screencap Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Color Screencap

Apple MacBook Air 13 (M4, 2025) Color Screencap Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Apple MacBook Air 13 (M5, 2026) Color Screencap Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Avg. White Balance dE

Lock

Lock

Avg. Gamma

Lock

Lock

Avg. Color dE

Lock

Lock

Avg. Color Temperature

Lock K

Lock K

Color Gamut

N/A

N/A

Gamut SDR

Apple MacBook Air 13 (M4, 2025) Gamut SDR Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Apple MacBook Air 13 (M5, 2026) Gamut SDR Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

sRGB xy

Lock%

Lock%

sRGB uv

Lock%

Lock%

Adobe RGB xy

Lock%

Lock%

Adobe RGB uv

Lock%

Lock%

Gamut HDR

Apple MacBook Air 13 (M4, 2025) Gamut HDR Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Apple MacBook Air 13 (M5, 2026) Gamut HDR Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

DCI-P3 xy

Lock%

Lock%

DCI-P3 uv

Lock%

Lock%

Rec. 2020 xy

Lock%

Lock%

Rec. 2020 uv

Lock%

Lock%

Flicker

N/A

N/A

Flicker Graph

Apple MacBook Air 13 (M4, 2025) Flicker Graph Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Apple MacBook Air 13 (M5, 2026) Flicker Graph Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Flicker-Free

Locked

Locked

Flicker Frequency

Locked

Locked

Flicker Active Below

Lock%

Lock%

Interface

Keyboard

N/A

N/A

Keyboard Photo

Apple MacBook Air 13 (M4, 2025) Keyboard Photo Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Apple MacBook Air 13 (M5, 2026) Keyboard Photo Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Typing Quality

0.0

0.0

Numpad

Locked

Locked

Backlighting

Locked

Locked

Key Switch Actuation Graph

Apple MacBook Air 13 (M4, 2025) Key Switch Actuation Graph Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Apple MacBook Air 13 (M5, 2026) Key Switch Actuation Graph Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Operating Force

Lock gf

Lock gf

Actuation Force

Lock gf

Lock gf

Pre-Travel

Lock mm

Lock mm

Total Travel

Lock mm

Lock mm

Touchpad

N/A

N/A

Touchpad Photo

Apple MacBook Air 13 (M4, 2025) Touchpad Photo Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Apple MacBook Air 13 (M5, 2026) Touchpad Photo Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Tracking Quality

0.0

0.0

Size

Lock in² (Lock cm²)

Lock in² (Lock cm²)

Material

Locked

Locked

Dedicated Buttons

Locked

Locked

Speakers

N/A

N/A

Frequency Response Plot

Apple MacBook Air 13 (M4, 2025) Frequency Response Plot Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Apple MacBook Air 13 (M5, 2026) Frequency Response Plot Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Max Volume

Lock dB SPL

Lock dB SPL

Standard Error @ Normal Vol. (65 dB)

Lock dB

Lock dB

Slope @ Normal Vol. (65 dB)

Lock

Lock

Bass Extension (Low-Frequency Ext.)

Lock Hz

Lock Hz

Treble Extension (High-Frequency Ext.)

Lock kHz

Lock kHz

Dynamic Range Compression @ Max Vol.

Lock dB

Lock dB

Webcam & Microphone

N/A

N/A

Webcam Video Sample

Apple MacBook Air 13 (M4, 2025) Webcam Video Sample Sample

SAMPLE

for videos & test results

Apple MacBook Air 13 (M5, 2026) Webcam Video Sample Sample

SAMPLE

for videos & test results

Video Quality

0.0

0.0

Resolution

Locked

Locked

Position

Locked

Locked

Privacy Cover

Locked

Locked

Face Unlock

Locked

Locked

Connectivity

Ports

N/A

N/A

Ports Photo

Apple MacBook Air 13 (M4, 2025) Ports Photo Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Apple MacBook Air 13 (M5, 2026) Ports Photo Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

USB-A Ports

Locked

Locked

USB-C Ports

Locked

Locked

Thunderbolt

Locked

Locked

USB-C Charging

Locked

Locked

USB-C Display Out

Locked

Locked

HDMI

Locked

Locked

DisplayPort

Locked

Locked

3.5mm Jack

Locked

Locked

Card Reader

Locked

Locked

Ethernet

Locked

Locked

Proprietary Port

Locked

Locked

Security Lock

Locked

Locked

Wireless Communication

Wi-Fi

Locked

Locked

Bluetooth

Locked

Locked

Configuration

CPU

Brand

Locked

Locked

Model

Locked

Locked

Core Count

Lock

Lock

Thread Count

Lock

Lock

GPU

Brand

Locked

Locked

Model

Locked

Locked

Dedicated/Integrated

Locked

Locked

VRAM Size

N/A

N/A

GPU Total Graphics Power (TGP)

N/A

N/A

RAM

Capacity

Lock GB

Lock GB

Modules

Locked

Locked

Type

Locked

Locked

Speed

Lock MHz

Lock MHz

Storage

Advertised Capacity

Lock GB

Lock GB

Usable Capacity

Lock GB

Lock GB

Drive 1

Locked

Locked

Drive 1 Type

Locked

Locked

Drive 2

Locked

Locked

Drive 2 Type

Locked

Locked

Performance

CPU/RAM Performance

N/A

N/A

Cinebench 2024 - Single Core

Lock points

Lock points

Cinebench 2024 - Multi Core

Lock points

Lock points

Geekbench 6 - Single Core

Lock

Lock

Geekbench 6 - Multi Core

Lock

Lock

Blender - CPU (Avg)

Lock samples/min

Lock samples/min

PassMark PT - CPU Mark

Lock

Lock

PassMark PT - Memory Mark

Lock

Lock

PassMark PT - Memory Mark (Android)

N/A

N/A

Mozilla Kraken

Lock ms

Lock ms

Low Tier Graphics

N/A

N/A

Geekbench 6 - GPU Compute

Lock

Lock

Basemark Web 3.0

Lock

Lock

PassMark PT - 2D Mark

N/A

N/A

PassMark PT - 2D Mark (Android)

N/A

N/A

PassMark PT - 3D Mark

N/A

N/A

PassMark PT - 3D Mark (Android)

N/A

N/A

Novabench 5 - GPU

Lock

Lock

mprep - Stress My GPU

Lock

Lock

High Tier Graphics

N/A

N/A

3DMark - Steel Nomad (DX12)

N/A

N/A

3DMark - Steel Nomad (Vulkan/Metal)

Lock

Lock

Basemark GPU (DX12)

N/A

N/A

Basemark GPU (Vulkan/Metal)

Lock

Lock

GFXBench - High Level Test (Vulkan/Metal)

Lock Frames

N/A

Professional 3D (GPU Accelerated)

N/A

N/A

Blender - GPU (Avg)

Lock samples/min

Lock samples/min

Cinebench 2024 - GPU

Lock points

Lock points

CPU-Intensive Game Performance

N/A

N/A

Civilization VII - AI

Lock s/turn

Lock s/turn

Civilization VII - Graphics (Avg)

Lock fps

Lock fps

Civilization VII - Graphics (1% Low)

Lock fps

Lock fps

Total War: Warhammer III (Avg)

Lock fps

Lock fps

Baldur's Gate 3 (Avg)

Lock fps

Lock fps

Baldur's Gate 3 (1% Low)

Lock fps

Lock fps

Previous Methodology Score

0.0

N/A

Previous Methodology Score Converted

0.0

N/A

GPU-Intensive Game Performance

N/A

N/A

Cyberpunk 2077 (Avg)

Lock fps

Lock fps

Cyberpunk 2077 (Min)

Lock fps

Lock fps

Assassin's Creed Shadows (Avg)

N/A

Lock fps

Assassin's Creed Shadows (1% Low)

N/A

Lock fps

GTA V (Avg)

N/A

N/A

GTA V (1% Low)

N/A

N/A

Black Myth: Wukong (Avg)

N/A

N/A

Black Myth: Wukong (5% Low)

N/A

N/A

Resident Evil 4 (Avg)

N/A

Lock fps

Resident Evil 4 (1% Low)

N/A

Lock fps

Previous Methodology Score

0.0

N/A

Previous Methodology Score Converted

0.0

N/A

Ray Tracing Performance

N/A

N/A

Cyberpunk 2077 (Avg)

Lock fps

Lock fps

Cyberpunk 2077 (Min)

Lock fps

Lock fps

Assassin's Creed Shadows (Avg)

N/A

Lock fps

Assassin's Creed Shadows (1% Low)

N/A

Lock fps

Black Myth: Wukong (Avg)

N/A

N/A

Black Myth: Wukong (5% Low)

N/A

N/A

Storage Drive Performance

N/A

N/A

Sequential Write Speed

Lock MB/s

Lock MB/s

Sequential Read Speed

Lock MB/s

Lock MB/s

Random Write Speed

Lock MB/s

Lock MB/s

Random Read Speed

Lock MB/s

Lock MB/s

Battery

N/A

N/A

Capacity

Lock Wh

Lock Wh

Battery Life (Web Browsing)

Lock hrs

Lock hrs

Battery Life (Video Playback)

Lock hrs

Lock hrs

Battery Life (Gaming)

Lock hrs

Lock hrs

Charge Time

Lock hrs

Lock hrs

Thermals And Noise

N/A

N/A

Keyboard Temps Picture

Apple MacBook Air 13 (M4, 2025) Keyboard Temps Picture Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Apple MacBook Air 13 (M5, 2026) Keyboard Temps Picture Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Keyboard Temp While Idle

Lock °C (Lock °F)

Lock °C (Lock °F)

Keyboard Temp Under Load

Lock °C (Lock °F)

Lock °C (Lock °F)

Fan Noise While Idle

N/A

N/A

Fan Noise Under Load

N/A

N/A

Power & Fan Control App

Locked

Locked

Performance Over Time

N/A

N/A

Performance Over Time Graph

Apple MacBook Air 13 (M4, 2025) Performance Over Time Graph Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Apple MacBook Air 13 (M5, 2026) Performance Over Time Graph Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

CPU Temp (Cinebench)

Lock °C

Lock °C

CPU Perf. Loss (Cinebench)

Lock% loss

Lock% loss

GPU Temp (Heaven)

Lock °C

Lock °C

GPU Perf. Loss (Heaven)

Lock% loss

Lock% loss

Additional Features And Software

Software

Operating System

Locked

Locked

Additional Software

Locked

Locked

Extra Features

Biometrics

Locked

Locked

RGB Illumination

Locked

Locked

Touch Pen Support

Locked

Locked

Secondary Display

Locked

Locked

Check Price

Apple MacBook Air 13 (M4, 2025)

Apple MacBook Air 13 (M5, 2026)

Comments

Comparison

• Posted 1 month ago

Apple MacBook Air 13 (M4, 2025) vs Apple MacBook Air 13 (M5, 2026): Main Discussion

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