Apple MacBook Air 13 (M5) vs Apple MacBook Air 13 (M4)
The Apple MacBook Air 13 (M5) has the edge: it has more storage, has Wi-Fi 7 and is newer.
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Key differences
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Performance
Evenly matched
Both have the power for photo and video editing, with 16 GB of memory each.
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Gaming
Evenly matched
Both manage light and older games, but not new releases.
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Display
Evenly matched
Closely matched screens: 13.6" 2.5K 500 nits against 13.6" 2.5K 500 nits.
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Battery life
Evenly matched
Similar battery life: up to 18 hours against up to 18 hours.
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Connectivity
Evenly matched
Much the same ports and wireless on both.
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Portability
Evenly matched
About the same to carry: 1.23 kg and 1.24 kg.
Other differences
- Storage Apple MacBook Air 13 (M5) wins
The Apple MacBook Air 13 (M5) has twice the storage: 512 GB against 256 GB.
- Age Apple MacBook Air 13 (M5) wins
The Apple MacBook Air 13 (M5) is a year newer (2026 against 2025).
Which one should you choose?
Choose the Apple MacBook Air 13 (M5) if…
- You store lots of photos, videos or games: it has 512 GB of storage.
- You have fast broadband: its Wi-Fi 7 gets more out of a modern router.
- You prefer the newer model: it came out in 2026.
Choose the Apple MacBook Air 13 (M4) if…
- You do demanding work: its Apple M4 has the power for photo and video editing.
- You keep lots of tabs and apps open: it has 16 GB of memory.
- You'll carry it around: it weighs just 1.24 kg.
Full spec comparison
Add more laptopsThe Apple MacBook Air 13 (M5) leads on performance; elsewhere the two are closely matched.
Green cells with a ✓ mark the better spec in that row. Tick "Show differences only" to hide the rows where they match.
Performance
The Apple MacBook Air 13 (M5) is ahead on performance.
It has more storage, and the Apple MacBook Air 13 (M4) doesn't beat it on anything here.
| Spec | Apple MacBook Air 13 (M5) | Apple MacBook Air 13 (M4) |
|---|---|---|
| Processor | Apple M5 | Apple M4 (10-core CPU) |
| Graphics | Apple M5 8-core GPU | Apple M4 8-core GPU |
| Memory (RAM) | 16 GB | 16 GB |
| Maximum memory | 16 GB | 32 GB |
| Memory upgrades | Soldered (not upgradeable) | — |
| Storage | 512 GB | 256 GB |
| Storage type | SSD | SSD |
| Storage slots | 0 | — |
Screen
Both screens are closely matched.
Size, sharpness and smoothness are near enough the same, so neither has a real edge to look at.
| Spec | Apple MacBook Air 13 (M5) | Apple MacBook Air 13 (M4) |
|---|---|---|
| Screen size | 13.6" | 13.6" |
| Resolution | 2.5K (2560 x 1664) | 2.5K (2560 x 1664) |
| Aspect ratio | — | 20:13 |
| Panel | IPS | IPS |
| Brightness | 500 nits | 500 nits |
| Colour range | Wide colour (P3) | Wide colour (P3) |
| HDR | None | — |
| Touchscreen | No | No |
Battery and size
Both are much the same on battery and weight.
Neither will be noticeably easier to carry or last noticeably longer away from a plug.
| Spec | Apple MacBook Air 13 (M5) | Apple MacBook Air 13 (M4) |
|---|---|---|
| Battery life (maker claim) | Up to 18 hours | Up to 18 hours |
| Battery capacity | 53.8 Wh | 53.8 Wh |
| Charger | — | 30 W |
| Charges via | MagSafe 3 or USB-C | MagSafe 3 (also charges via Thunderbolt 4 USB-C) |
| Fast charging | Fast-charge capable with 70 W or higher USB PD power source | Fast-charge capable with 70W USB-C adapter (no time claim) |
| Weight | 1.23 kg | 1.24 kg |
| Dimensions | 304.1 x 215 x 11.3 mm | 304.1 x 215 x 11.3 mm |
| Materials | 100% recycled aluminium enclosure | Aluminium enclosure (100% recycled aluminium) |
| Colour | Sky Blue | Midnight |
| Colours available | Sky Blue, Silver, Starlight, Midnight | Sky Blue, Silver, Starlight, Midnight |
Ports and wireless
The Apple MacBook Air 13 (M5) is ahead on ports and wireless.
It has Wi-Fi 7, and the Apple MacBook Air 13 (M4) doesn't beat it on anything here.
| Spec | Apple MacBook Air 13 (M5) | Apple MacBook Air 13 (M4) |
|---|---|---|
| Ports | 2x Thunderbolt 4 (USB-C; charging, DisplayPort, USB 4 up to 40Gb/s), 1x MagSafe 3 (charging), 1x 3.5 mm headphone jack | 2x Thunderbolt 4 (USB-C, 40Gb/s, charging, DisplayPort, USB 4), 1x MagSafe 3 (charging), 1x 3.5 mm headphone |
| Thunderbolt / USB4 | 2x Thunderbolt 4 / USB4 40Gbps | Thunderbolt 4 (up to 40Gb/s) |
| External displays (max) | 2 | 2 |
| Card reader | None | None |
| Ethernet | None | None |
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 7 | Wi-Fi 6E |
| Wi-Fi card | Apple N1 | — |
| Bluetooth | Bluetooth 6 | Bluetooth 5.3 |
| Mobile data | None | None |
Features
Both have much the same extras.
From the keyboard to the webcam and login, there is little between them.
| Spec | Apple MacBook Air 13 (M5) | Apple MacBook Air 13 (M4) |
|---|---|---|
| Webcam | 1080p | 12MP Center Stage |
| Backlit keyboard | Yes | Yes |
| Keyboard | backlit Magic Keyboard, 78 ANSI or 79 ISO keys, 12 full-height function keys, ambient light sensor | Backlit Magic Keyboard, 79-key ISO (UK), 12 full-height function keys, Touch ID, ambient light sensor |
| Login | Fingerprint | Fingerprint |
| Number pad | No | No |
| Touchpad | Force Touch trackpad with pressure sensing and Multi-Touch gestures | Force Touch trackpad (Multi-Touch) |
| Speakers | four-speaker sound system with Spatial Audio and Dolby Atmos | Four-speaker sound system, Spatial Audio / Dolby Atmos |
| Microphones | three-mic array with directional beamforming | Three-mic array with directional beamforming |
| Pen | No | No |
| Security | Touch ID | — |
Software and model
The Apple MacBook Air 13 (M5) is ahead on software and updates.
It is newer, and the Apple MacBook Air 13 (M4) doesn't beat it on anything here.
| Spec | Apple MacBook Air 13 (M5) | Apple MacBook Air 13 (M4) |
|---|---|---|
| Operating system | macOS | macOS |
| Model number | MDHH4B/A | — |
| Released | 2026 | 2025 |