Apple's MacBook Air has become the company's most popular laptop, and for good reason. It combines excellent performance with an incredibly thin design and competitive pricing. But as we look toward the next generation, many are wondering: what changes will the M5 MacBook Air bring?
The Current State of MacBook Air
Before diving into what's coming, let's understand where we are today. Apple has maintained the same MacBook Air design for three consecutive generations, starting with the M2 model in 2022. That same year also saw the introduction of a larger 15-inch variant, both sharing nearly identical designs.
The M3 chip arrived in late 2023, and most recently, the M4 MacBook Air launched in early 2025. Despite using the same chassis for years, the MacBook Air remains a bestseller thanks to its winning combination of portability, performance, and value.
Current pricing makes these machines incredibly accessible. You can find the M4 MacBook Air starting around $999 directly from Apple, with education discounts bringing that down to $899. Third-party retailers frequently offer even better deals, with prices sometimes dropping to $850 or even $800 during sales. For that price, you get an M4 chip, 16GB of RAM, and 256GB of storage in the 13-inch model.
Design: Don't Expect Major Changes
Here's the news that might disappoint some: the M5 MacBook Air will likely keep the current design. If you were hoping for a dramatic redesign, you'll need to wait a bit longer.
No OLED Display (Yet)
Perhaps the most anticipated feature that won't be arriving is an OLED display. Despite the growing popularity of OLED screens in premium laptops, Apple isn't ready to bring this technology to the MacBook Air lineup just yet.
Rumors suggest Apple might actually introduce a different LED technology before ever moving to OLED in the Air series. This means we're potentially looking at several more years before OLED becomes standard.
ProMotion Remains Absent
Similarly, ProMotion (Apple's 120Hz refresh rate technology) won't be coming to the M5 MacBook Air. In fact, it might not even arrive with the M6 generation. Apple tends to reserve premium display features for their Pro models first, and the Air typically lags behind by several generations.
To put this in perspective, consider the iPhone lineup. The standard iPhone 17 only recently received ProMotion, even though the Pro models have had it since the iPhone 13 series. The MacBook Air will likely follow a similar trajectory.
What's Actually Changing: The M5 Chip
While the exterior stays the same, the real improvements lie under the hood with Apple's M5 chip.
CPU Configuration
The M5 chip is expected to maintain a similar core configuration to the M4:
- 10-core CPU as the full version
- 6 efficiency cores and 4 performance cores
- A binned-down version for lower-priced models
This proven formula balances power efficiency with strong performance for everyday tasks and more demanding workloads.
GPU Upgrades
Here's where things get interesting. The GPU might finally see a core count increase. Apple has offered 10 GPU cores as the maximum in MacBook Air models since the M2 generation. The M5 could bump this up to 12 GPU cores in the top configuration, with 10 cores remaining available in binned versions.
The last GPU core increase happened during the M1 to M2 transition (from 8 to 10 cores), making the M5 the logical time for another upgrade.
Advanced Architecture
Apple may incorporate new architectural improvements introduced in their A19 and A19 Pro chips:
- Larger caches on efficiency cores for better performance
- Enhanced neural processing cores integrated into the GPU
- Overall improvements to AI and machine learning performance
RAM and Storage: Modest Expectations
Storage Could Double
One of the most consumer-friendly changes might be in base storage. Apple has stuck with 256GB as the entry-level storage option for years, which feels increasingly cramped in 2025 and 2026.
There's a realistic possibility that Apple will double the base storage to 512GB with the M5 generation. This would represent tremendous value and address one of the most common complaints about entry-level MacBooks.
RAM Likely Stays the Same
Don't expect changes here. Apple recently increased the base RAM to 16GB during the M3 generation, and this will likely remain standard for the foreseeable future. Configuration options will probably include:
- 16GB (base)
- 24GB (mid-tier)
- 32GB (maximum)
Pricing: Stability Expected
Good news for budget-conscious buyers: pricing should remain consistent with current models.
The 13-inch M5 MacBook Air will likely start at $999, matching the current M4 pricing. Education customers can expect their traditional $100 discount, bringing the price to $899. And as with previous generations, third-party retailers typically offer additional discounts within months of launch.
Given the potential storage increase to 512GB at the base level, this pricing would represent exceptional value.
Release Date: Spring 2026
Based on reliable leaks and Apple's typical product cycles, the M5 MacBook Air is targeting a Spring 2026 release. More specifically, we're looking at somewhere around March or April 2026.
This timing makes sense given Apple's recent pattern. The M4 MacBook Air launched in March/April 2025, following a similar cadence for Air refreshes. Spring releases allow Apple to update their most popular consumer laptop well ahead of the back-to-school shopping season.
Who Should Wait for the M5?
If you're trying to decide whether to buy now or wait, consider these factors:
Wait if you:
- Don't need a laptop immediately
- Want the latest chip for maximum longevity
- Hope for that potential 512GB storage upgrade
- Can benefit from improved GPU performance
Buy the M4 now if you:
- Need a laptop for school or work starting soon
- Can find a good deal on the current model
- Don't need cutting-edge performance
- Prefer proven, debugged hardware
Remember, the M4 MacBook Air is already an excellent machine that will serve most users perfectly well for years to come.
The Long Wait for Premium Features
For those hoping for more dramatic upgrades like OLED displays and ProMotion, patience is required. The MacBook Pro lineup won't even receive OLED displays until late 2026 or early 2027 at the earliest. The MacBook Air typically trails Pro models by at least a generation or two for premium features.
We're realistically looking at 2027 or 2028 before OLED technology makes its way to the Air lineup, and ProMotion might arrive on a similar timeline.
Bottom Line
The M5 MacBook Air represents an evolutionary rather than revolutionary update. Apple is sticking with what works: the proven design, reliable performance, and competitive pricing that have made the Air their best-selling laptop.
While the lack of OLED and ProMotion may disappoint enthusiasts, the potential improvements—especially a possible storage doubling and GPU upgrade—address practical concerns that affect everyday users. Combined with the enhanced efficiency and performance of the M5 chip, the 2026 MacBook Air should continue the lineup's tradition of offering tremendous value.
For most people, this incremental approach works perfectly fine. The MacBook Air doesn't need to be revolutionary; it just needs to be reliable, capable, and affordable. Based on everything we know, the M5 version will deliver on all three counts.
What are your thoughts on the M5 MacBook Air? Are you excited about the potential upgrades, or disappointed by the lack of design changes? Let us know in the comments below.