Apple MacBook Air 15 (M5) vs Apple MacBook Pro 16 (M5 Pro)
The Apple MacBook Pro 16 is the better laptop on paper: it is faster, has more storage and has more memory. Pick the Apple MacBook Air 15 only if it matters to you that it is lighter.
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 16 wins
The Apple MacBook Pro 16's Apple M5 Pro is quicker: it is built for heavy creative work, while the Apple MacBook Air 15's Apple M5 has the power for photo and video editing.
-
Gaming
Evenly matched
Both manage light and older games, but not new releases.
-
Display
Apple MacBook Pro 16 wins
The Apple MacBook Pro 16 has the better screen: 16.2" 3K 1000 nits 120 Hz against 15.3" 3K 500 nits.
-
Battery life
Apple MacBook Pro 16 wins
The Apple MacBook Pro 16 should last longer: up to 24 hours against up to 18 hours.
-
Connectivity
Apple MacBook Pro 16 wins
The Apple MacBook Pro 16 is better connected. Only it has HDMI and a card reader.
-
Portability
Apple MacBook Air 15 wins
The Apple MacBook Air 15 is easier to carry at 1.51 kg, against 2.14 kg.
Other differences
- Storage Apple MacBook Pro 16 wins
The Apple MacBook Pro 16 has twice the storage: 1 TB against 512 GB.
- Memory Apple MacBook Pro 16 wins
The Apple MacBook Pro 16 has 24 GB of memory against 16 GB, so it has more room for big projects and heavy multitasking.
Which one should you choose?
Choose the Apple MacBook Air 15 if…
- You'll move it around the house or office: it's 0.6 kg lighter.
- You want a slim laptop that slips into a bag: it's 11.5 mm thick.
- You type in dim rooms: it has a backlit keyboard.
Choose the Apple MacBook Pro 16 if…
- You edit photos or video, or keep a lot open at once: its Apple M5 Pro is the more powerful processor.
- You store lots of photos, videos or games: it has 1 TB of storage.
- You keep lots of tabs and apps open: 24 GB of memory gives it more room.
- You plug things in: it has HDMI (for TVs and monitors) and an SD card reader (for camera cards).
Full spec comparison
The Apple MacBook Air 15 leads on battery and weight, while the Apple MacBook Pro 16 leads on performance and ports and wireless.
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 16 is ahead on performance.
It is faster, has more storage and has more memory, and the Apple MacBook Air 15 doesn't beat it on anything here.
| Spec | Apple MacBook Air 15 (M5) | Apple MacBook Pro 16 (M5 Pro) |
|---|---|---|
| Processor | Apple M5 | Apple M5 Pro (18-core CPU) |
| Graphics | Apple M5 10-core GPU | Apple M5 Pro 20-core GPU |
| Memory (RAM) | 16 GB | 24 GB |
| Memory type | — | unified memory (307 GB/s bandwidth) |
| Maximum memory | 16 GB | 24 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 16 is ahead on the screen.
The Apple MacBook Pro 16 has a slightly bigger screen: 16.2" against 15.3". It has a brighter screen and has a slightly bigger screen, and the Apple MacBook Air 15 doesn't beat it on anything here.
| Spec | Apple MacBook Air 15 (M5) | Apple MacBook Pro 16 (M5 Pro) |
|---|---|---|
| Screen size | 15.3" | 16.2" |
| Resolution | 3K (2880 x 1864) | 3K (3456 x 2234) |
| Aspect ratio | — | 16:10 |
| 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) |
| HDR | None | XDR; Dolby Vision, HDR10+/HDR10 and HLG |
| Touchscreen | No | No |
Battery and size
Each laptop has its strengths on battery and weight.
The Apple MacBook Air 15 is lighter and is slimmer, while the Apple MacBook Pro 16 has a bigger battery.
| Spec | Apple MacBook Air 15 (M5) | Apple MacBook Pro 16 (M5 Pro) |
|---|---|---|
| Battery life (maker claim) | Up to 18 hours | Up to 24 hours |
| Battery capacity | 66.5 Wh | 100 Wh |
| Charger | — | 140 W |
| Charges via | MagSafe 3 or USB-C | MagSafe 3 or USB-C |
| Fast charging | Fast-charge capable with 70 W or higher USB PD power source | Fast-charge capable with 140W or higher USB PD power source |
| Weight | 1.51 kg | 2.14 kg |
| Dimensions | 340.4 x 237.6 x 11.5 mm | 355.7 x 248.1 x 16.8 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
The Apple MacBook Pro 16 is ahead on ports and wireless.
It has HDMI and an SD card reader, and the Apple MacBook Air 15 doesn't beat it on anything here.
| Spec | Apple MacBook Air 15 (M5) | Apple MacBook Pro 16 (M5 Pro) |
|---|---|---|
| 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 5 (USB-C, charging, DisplayPort, USB4 up to 120Gb/s), 1x HDMI, 1x SDXC card slot, 1x MagSafe 3, 1x 3.5 mm headphone |
| Thunderbolt / USB4 | 2x Thunderbolt 4 / USB4 40Gbps | Thunderbolt 5 / USB4 up to 120Gb/s |
| External displays (max) | 2 | 3 |
| Card reader | None | SDXC |
| Ethernet | None | None |
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 7 | Wi-Fi 7 |
| Wi-Fi card | Apple N1 | Apple N1 |
| Bluetooth | Bluetooth 6 | Bluetooth 6 |
| 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 16 (M5 Pro) |
|---|---|---|
| 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; 79-key ISO layout; 12 full-height function keys; ambient light sensor |
| Login | Fingerprint | Fingerprint |
| Number pad | No | No |
| Touchpad | Force Touch trackpad with pressure sensing and Multi-Touch gestures | Force Touch trackpad |
| Speakers | six-speaker sound system with force-cancelling woofers, Spatial Audio and Dolby Atmos | high-fidelity six-speaker system with force-cancelling woofers |
| Microphones | three-mic array with directional beamforming | studio-quality three-mic array with directional beamforming |
| Pen | No | No |
| Security | Touch ID | Touch ID |
Software and model
Both run macOS.
So the same apps work on both, and they get the same kind of updates.
| Spec | Apple MacBook Air 15 (M5) | Apple MacBook Pro 16 (M5 Pro) |
|---|---|---|
| Operating system | macOS | macOS |
| Model number | MDVH4B/A | — |
| Released | 2026 | 2026 |