Apple MacBook Air 15 (M5) vs Apple MacBook Pro 14 (M5)
The Apple MacBook Pro 14 is the better laptop on paper: it has more memory, is more compact and has more storage. Pick the Apple MacBook Air 15 only if it matters to you that it has a bigger screen.
We earn a commission from qualifying Amazon purchases made through our links, at no extra cost to you. This never affects our specs. How we make money.
Key differences
-
Performance
Apple MacBook Pro 14 wins
Same class of processor, but the Apple MacBook Pro 14 has more memory (32 GB against 16 GB).
-
Gaming
Evenly matched
Both manage light and older games, but not new releases.
-
Display
Apple MacBook Pro 14 wins
The Apple MacBook Pro 14 has the better screen: 14.2" 3K 1000 nits 120 Hz against 15.3" 3K 500 nits.
-
Battery life
Apple MacBook Pro 14 wins
The Apple MacBook Pro 14 should last longer: up to 24 hours against up to 18 hours.
-
Connectivity
Apple MacBook Pro 14 wins
The Apple MacBook Pro 14 is better connected. Only it has HDMI and a card reader.
-
Portability
Evenly matched
About the same to carry: 1.51 kg and 1.55 kg.
Other differences
- Memory Apple MacBook Pro 14 wins
The Apple MacBook Pro 14 has 32 GB of memory against 16 GB, so it has more room for big projects and heavy multitasking.
- Screen size Depends on you
The Apple MacBook Air 15 has the bigger screen (15.3" against 14.2"), while the Apple MacBook Pro 14 is more compact.
- Storage Apple MacBook Pro 14 wins
The Apple MacBook Pro 14 has twice the storage: 1 TB against 512 GB.
Which one should you choose?
Choose the Apple MacBook Air 15 if…
- You want more room to work: its 15.3-inch screen fits two windows side by side.
- 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 Pro 14 if…
- You keep lots of tabs and apps open: 32 GB of memory gives it more room.
- You want something compact for small bags and train tables: it has a 14.2-inch screen.
- You store lots of photos, videos or games: it has 1 TB of storage.
- You plug things in: it has HDMI (for TVs and monitors) and an SD card reader (for camera cards).
- You work near windows or outside: its screen is brighter at 1000 nits.
Full spec comparison
The Apple MacBook Pro 14 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 Pro 14 is ahead on performance.
It has more memory and has more storage, and the Apple MacBook Air 15 doesn't beat it on anything here.
| Spec | Apple MacBook Air 15 (M5) | Apple MacBook Pro 14 (M5) |
|---|---|---|
| Processor | Apple M5 | Apple M5 (10-core CPU) |
| Graphics | Apple M5 10-core GPU | Apple M5 10-core GPU |
| Memory (RAM) | 16 GB | 32 GB |
| Memory type | — | Unified memory (153GB/s bandwidth) |
| Maximum memory | 16 GB | 32 GB |
| Memory upgrades | Soldered (not upgradeable) | Soldered (not upgradeable) |
| Storage | 512 GB | 1 TB |
| Storage type | SSD | SSD |
| Storage slots | 0 | — |
Screen
The Apple MacBook Pro 14 is ahead on the screen.
The Apple MacBook Air 15 has the bigger screen (15.3" against 14.2"), while the Apple MacBook Pro 14 is more compact. The Apple MacBook Air 15 has a bigger screen, while the Apple MacBook Pro 14 is more compact and has a brighter screen.
| Spec | Apple MacBook Air 15 (M5) | Apple MacBook Pro 14 (M5) |
|---|---|---|
| Screen size | 15.3" | 14.2" |
| Resolution | 3K (2880 x 1864) | 3K (3024 x 1964) |
| Aspect ratio | — | 3024:1964 (about 1.54:1) |
| Panel | IPS | Mini-LED |
| Refresh rate | — | 120 Hz |
| Variable refresh (VRR) | — | Yes |
| Brightness | 500 nits | 1,000 nits |
| Colour range | Wide colour (P3) | Wide colour (P3), 1 billion colours |
| HDR | None | XDR: 1,000 nits sustained, 1,600 nits peak (HDR content); Dolby Vision, HDR10+/HDR10, HLG playback |
| Touchscreen | No | No |
Battery and size
Each laptop has its strengths on battery and weight.
The Apple MacBook Air 15 is slimmer, while the Apple MacBook Pro 14 has a bigger battery.
| Spec | Apple MacBook Air 15 (M5) | Apple MacBook Pro 14 (M5) |
|---|---|---|
| Battery life (maker claim) | Up to 18 hours | Up to 24 hours |
| Battery capacity | 66.5 Wh | 72.4 Wh |
| Charges via | MagSafe 3 or USB-C | MagSafe 3 (or USB-C / Thunderbolt 4) |
| Fast charging | Fast-charge capable with 70 W or higher USB PD power source | Fast-charge capable with a 96W or higher USB PD power source |
| Weight | 1.51 kg | 1.55 kg |
| Dimensions | 340.4 x 237.6 x 11.5 mm | 312.6 x 221.2 x 15.5 mm |
| Materials | 100% recycled aluminium enclosure | 100% recycled aluminium enclosure |
| Colour | Midnight | Space Black |
| Colours available | Sky Blue, Silver, Starlight, Midnight | Space Black, Silver |
Ports and wireless
Each laptop has its strengths on ports and wireless.
The Apple MacBook Air 15 has Wi-Fi 7, while the Apple MacBook Pro 14 has HDMI and an SD card reader.
| Spec | Apple MacBook Air 15 (M5) | Apple MacBook Pro 14 (M5) |
|---|---|---|
| Ports | 2x Thunderbolt 4 (USB-C; charging, DisplayPort, USB 4 up to 40Gb/s), 1x MagSafe 3 (charging), 1x 3.5 mm headphone jack | 3x Thunderbolt 4 (USB-C; all support charging, DisplayPort, USB 4 up to 40Gb/s), 1x HDMI (version not stated by Apple), 1x SDXC card slot, 1x MagSafe 3 (charging), 1x 3.5 mm headphone jack |
| Thunderbolt / USB4 | 2x Thunderbolt 4 / USB4 40Gbps | Thunderbolt 4 (up to 40Gb/s) |
| External displays (max) | 2 | 2 |
| Card reader | None | SDXC |
| 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 15 (M5) | Apple MacBook Pro 14 (M5) |
|---|---|---|
| Webcam | 12MP Center Stage, 1080p | 12MP Center Stage, 1080p video |
| 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, 78 (ANSI) / 79 (ISO) keys, 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 (pressure-sensing, Multi-Touch gestures); size not published |
| Speakers | six-speaker sound system with force-cancelling woofers, Spatial Audio and Dolby Atmos | Six-speaker sound system with force-cancelling woofers, wide stereo, Spatial Audio / Dolby Atmos |
| Microphones | three-mic array with directional beamforming | Studio-quality three-mic array with directional beamforming |
| Pen | No | No |
| Security | Touch ID | — |
Software and model
The Apple MacBook Air 15 is ahead on software and updates.
It is newer, and the Apple MacBook Pro 14 doesn't beat it on anything here.
| Spec | Apple MacBook Air 15 (M5) | Apple MacBook Pro 14 (M5) |
|---|---|---|
| Operating system | macOS | macOS |
| Model number | MDVH4B/A | — |
| Released | 2026 | 2025 |