MacBook Air M5 vs M4: What’s Different in 2026?

If you’ve been thinking about buying a MacBook Air this year, you’ve probably run into the same question everyone in the UK tech community is asking:

Should you buy the new MacBook Air M5 or save money with the M4?

At first glance, the two laptops look almost identical. Same ultra-thin aluminium design. Same beautiful display. Same lightweight build that makes the MacBook Air perfect for working in cafés, trains, or university libraries.

But once you dig a little deeper, the MacBook Air M5 vs M4 comparison starts to reveal some interesting differences.

Apple hasn’t completely reinvented the MacBook Air in 2026, but the company has quietly improved several areas including performance, storage, wireless connectivity, and AI features.

So, if you're planning to buy an Apple MacBook from UK, Laptop Outlet or Amazon, this guide will help you decide which model actually makes more sense.

Let’s break it down.

 

MacBook Air M5 vs M4: Quick Comparison

Before diving into details, here’s a quick overview of how the two models compare.

Feature	MacBook Air M4	MacBook Air M5
Processor	Apple M4 chip	Apple M5 chip
CPU	Up to 10-core	Up to 10-core (faster architecture)
GPU	Up to 10-core GPU	Improved graphics performance
AI Processing	Standard Neural Engine	Enhanced AI acceleration
Base Storage	256GB SSD	512GB SSD
Wireless	Wi-Fi 6E	Wi-Fi 7
Bluetooth	Bluetooth 5.3	Bluetooth 6
Sizes	13-inch / 15-inch	13-inch / 15-inch
Starting Price (UK)	Around £999	Around £1,099

So yes, the M5 is slightly more expensive but it also comes with several upgrades.

Now let’s get into the details.

 

M5 vs M4 Performance: Is the New Chip Noticeably Faster?

Every MacBook upgrade usually revolves around one thing: the chip.

The 2026 MacBook Air introduces the Apple M5 processor, replacing the M4 chip that powered last year’s model.

On paper, the two chips look quite similar. Both include:

• Up to 10-core CPU

• Up to 10-core GPU

• Apple’s Neural Engine for AI workloads

• Excellent power efficiency

But the M5 chip uses an improved architecture, which gives it a noticeable edge in several areas.

You’ll see improvements in:

• Multitasking

• Graphics performance

• AI workloads

• App responsiveness

If your typical day involves things like:

• Safari or Chrome browsing

• Microsoft Office

• Google Docs

• Watching Netflix

• Online meetings

Then honestly, both the M4 and M5 will feel extremely fast.

But if you use your MacBook Air for heavier tasks such as:

• Video editing

• Lightroom or Photoshop

• Coding projects

• Running multiple apps at once

The M5 chip handles these workloads more smoothly.

In short, the M5 is not a revolutionary leap, but it is a clear refinement of the M4.

 

Apple’s Big Focus in 2026: AI Performance

One of the biggest trends in computing right now is artificial intelligence.

And Apple is clearly preparing macOS for that future.

The Apple M5 MacBook Air features improved AI acceleration, making it better suited for the growing number of AI-powered tools built into modern apps.

This includes tasks like:

• AI photo editing

• Smart writing assistants

• Real-time transcription

• Automated image enhancement

• On-device AI tools

With Apple introducing new Apple Intelligence features in macOS, the stronger AI capabilities of the M5 chip could become more important over the next few years.

For students, creators, and professionals in the UK who rely on AI tools, the M5 MacBook Air is definitely the more future-ready option.

 

MacBook Air Design Changes: The Same Iconic Look

If you were hoping for a completely new design in the MacBook Air 2026 comparison, you might be slightly disappointed.

Because visually, the MacBook Air M5 looks almost exactly the same as the M4.

But that’s not necessarily a bad thing. Apple’s current MacBook Air design is already one of the best in the ultrabook category.

You still get:

• A slim aluminium body

• Flat edges

• Minimalist design

• Extremely lightweight build

The laptop is still perfect for:

• Commuting in London

• Taking to university lectures

• Working remotely in cafés

• Travelling

Both models are available in 13-inch and 15-inch sizes, so you can choose between portability and a larger screen.

And of course, the MacBook Air still comes in Apple’s signature colour options, including:

• Midnight

• Starlight

• Space Grey

• Silver

So, while there are no major MacBook Air design changes, the design still feels modern and premium.

 

Display Quality: Still Excellent

Apple hasn’t made any big changes to the display this year, but that’s because it was already excellent.

Both models feature the Liquid Retina display, which offers:

• Sharp resolution

• Excellent colour accuracy

• Great brightness

• Thin bezels

For students, designers, and professionals, this means the MacBook Air remains great for:

• Watching films

• Photo editing

• Graphic design

• Productivity work

Whether you’re working on a presentation or streaming a series on BBC iPlayer, the display experience remains fantastic.

 

Storage Upgrade: A Huge Improvement

One of the most welcome upgrades in the MacBook Air M5 vs M4 comparison is storage.

The MacBook Air M5 now starts with 512GB of storage, while the M4 base model started with only 256GB.

That’s a massive improvement.

Modern laptops fill up quickly with:

• Apps

• Photos

• Videos

• Documents

• Creative projects

With the M5 model, you get double the storage right out of the box.

This is especially helpful for:

• University students

• Content creators

• Professionals working with large files

Apple has also improved SSD speeds, meaning faster:

• File transfers

• App launches

• System performance

For many buyers in the UK, this change alone makes the M5 feel like the better value option.

 

Connectivity Gets a Big Upgrade

Another subtle but important improvement is wireless connectivity.

The MacBook Air M5 introduces Wi-Fi 7, replacing Wi-Fi 6E found in the M4 model.

Wi-Fi 7 brings:

• Faster internet speeds

• Lower latency

• Better performance in crowded networks

This is particularly useful in places like:

• University campuses

• Co-working spaces

• Busy households with multiple devices

The M5 also upgrades to Bluetooth 6, improving connectivity with accessories like:

• AirPods

• Wireless keyboards

• Bluetooth mice

• External speakers

While these upgrades might not feel huge today, they help ensure the laptop stays relevant for several years.

 

MacBook Air Battery Upgrade: Any Real Difference?

Battery life has always been one of the MacBook Air’s biggest strengths.

And thankfully, that continues in 2026.

Both the M4 and M5 MacBook Air offer around 18 hours of battery life, depending on usage.

That means you can comfortably get through:

• A full day of work

• University lectures

• Remote meetings

• Streaming and browsing

Without worrying about charging.

The M5 chip is slightly more efficient, but in real-world use the battery difference is fairly small.

Still, MacBook Air remains one of the best laptops for battery life in the UK market.

 

UK Pricing: Is the M5 Worth the Extra Cost?

In the UK, pricing plays a huge role in buying decisions.

The MacBook Air M5 starts at roughly £1,099, while the M4 model originally started around £999.

At first glance, the M5 seems more expensive.

But remember what you get:

• Double the base storage (512GB)

• Faster wireless connectivity

• Improved AI performance

• Slightly faster processor

If you were planning to upgrade storage on the M4 anyway, the M5 actually becomes the better value.

Plus, UK students can often save money through the Apple Education Store, making the M5 even more appealing.

 

Should You Upgrade to the MacBook Air M5?

So after comparing everything, which model should you actually buy?

Choose the M5 MacBook Air if:

• You’re buying your first MacBook

• You want better AI performance

• You want more base storage

• You want the most future-proof connectivity

Choose the M4 MacBook Air if:

• You already own the M4 model

• You mainly do light tasks like browsing and documents

• You find a good discount on the M4 at UK retailers

For most new buyers, the M5 MacBook Air is the better long-term investment.

 

 

Final Verdict: MacBook Air M5 vs M4

The MacBook Air M5 vs M4 comparison shows that Apple focused on refining the experience rather than completely redesigning the laptop.

The design remains the same, but the internal upgrades make the M5 the stronger machine overall.

With the M5 MacBook Air you get:

• Faster performance

• Better AI capabilities

• Double the base storage

• Wi-Fi 7 connectivity

• Improved long-term value

If you’re shopping for a MacBook Air in the UK in 2026, the M5 model is clearly the smarter choice for most people.

But if you already own an M4 MacBook Air, there’s no urgent reason to upgrade.

Either way, the MacBook Air continues to be one of the best lightweight laptops available today.

 

 

Common Questions About the MacBook Air M5 and M4

1. Will the MacBook Air M5 support more external displays than the M4?

The MacBook Air M5 is expected to support improved external display capabilities compared to the M4 model. While the M4 MacBook Air typically supports one external display alongside the built-in screen, the M5 model may handle multiple external displays when the lid is closed, making it more convenient for users who connect their laptop to a desk setup with monitors.

2. Does the MacBook Air M5 come with newcolouroptions?

Apple occasionally refreshes colour choices with new MacBook releases. While the MacBook Air M5 keeps popular finishes like Midnight, Starlight, Silver, and Space Grey, some UK retailers may offer limited-edition or refreshed shades depending on the release cycle and regional availability.

3. Is the MacBook Air M5 better for students than the M4?

For students in the UK, the MacBook Air M5 can be a better long-term choice thanks to improved AI processing, larger base storage, and newer connectivity standards. However, if the M4 model is available at a significant discount through the Apple Education Store or retailers, it can still be an excellent value for everyday academic tasks.

4. Will the MacBook Air M4 receive macOS updates as long as the M5?

Yes, both the M4 and M5 MacBook Air models should receive macOS updates for many years. Apple typically provides software support for MacBooks for around 6–8 years, meaning the M4 model will remain supported well into the early 2030s.

5. Can the RAM be upgradedlater onthe MacBook Air M5?

No. Like previous Apple Silicon MacBooks, the RAM in the MacBook Air M5 is integrated into the chip and cannot be upgraded after purchase. Buyers in the UK should choose the right memory configuration (such as 16GB or 24GB) when ordering from Apple or authorised retailers.

 

Read More:

MacBook Air M5 for Students, Creators & Professionals: Who Should Buy?

MacBook Air Design & Features: What’s New in the Latest Model?

MacBook Air M5 vs MacBook Pro M5 : Should You Wait or Upgrade?