MacBook Air M5 vs M4: differences and India prices

Specs side by side

Both machines use the same 13.6-inch and 15.3-inch bodies. The table compares the 13-inch models using Apple's own specification pages.

The 15-inch M5 model comes only with the 10-core GPU, weighs 1.51 kg and has the same memory, storage and wireless upgrades.

What the M5 actually changes

• AI and graphics work. Apple claims up to 4x faster AI task performance than the MacBook Air with M4, up to 1.9x faster AI video enhancement in Topaz Video, and up to 1.5x faster results in Blender and Affinity. These are Apple's own tests on pre-production units, so treat them as best cases for those apps.
• Memory bandwidth. 153 GB/s is a 28% rise over M4's 120 GB/s. It helps the GPU and on-device AI models more than everyday browsing.
• Storage. The base model now has 512 GB, double the M4's 256 GB, and Apple says the SSD reads and writes twice as fast as the previous generation.
• Wireless. Apple's N1 chip brings Wi-Fi 7 and Bluetooth 6. Wi-Fi 7 only helps if your router supports it.
• External displays. Both drive two external displays; the M5 adds support for 4K at 144Hz, which suits high refresh rate monitors.

What does not change: the screen, the 12MP camera, the ports, the design and Apple's 18-hour battery figure. For writing, browsing, office work and video calls, an M4 and an M5 will feel much the same.

MacBook Air prices in India

Apple raised Mac prices in India in June 2026, citing memory and storage costs. The figures below are from apple.com/in on 5 October 2026 and are maximum retail prices including taxes.

Apple India's online store listed only M5 MacBook Air models on 5 October 2026. Any M4 model you see on sale now is a retailer's remaining stock, so compare its price with the M5 carefully: the M5 starts with twice the storage. Education pricing is lower; check apple.com/in for current figures.

Choosing a configuration, or a leftover M4

Memory and storage cannot be upgraded after purchase on either model, so choose once and choose with a few years in mind.

• Memory. 16 GB is enough for office work, browsing with many tabs, photo editing and light video work. Pick 24 GB or 32 GB if you edit 4K video, run virtual machines or containers, or want to try local AI models, which load into the same unified memory the system uses.
• Storage. 512 GB on the M5 is comfortable for most people who keep photos and documents in the cloud. Choose 1 TB if you keep video projects or large photo libraries on the laptop itself. An external SSD over Thunderbolt is a cheaper way to hold archives.
• GPU. The 10-core GPU on the 13-inch model helps games, 3D work and AI tools. For writing, coding and office work, the 8-core version is enough.
• Screen size. The 15-inch model costs more and weighs 280 g more, but gives a larger workspace for spreadsheets and timelines.

If a retailer offers an M4 MacBook Air from remaining stock, check three things before you buy: that it carries a GST invoice and the full Apple warranty from the date of sale, how much storage it has (the base M4 has 256 GB), and how far below the M5's ₹1,49,900 it is priced. A small saving rarely covers half the storage and the older Wi-Fi.

Who should upgrade

• You have an M4 MacBook Air: usually no. The display, battery, camera and design are the same. Upgrade only if you run local AI tools or GPU-heavy apps every day, or you have outgrown 256 GB of storage.
• You have an M2 or M3: maybe. You gain Apple's AI and graphics improvements, 16 GB of memory as standard and 512 GB of storage. If your current machine has 8 GB of memory and you feel it, the move is worth it.
• You have an M1 or an Intel MacBook Air: yes, if your budget allows. Apple quotes up to 9.5x faster AI tasks and up to 6.5x faster 3D rendering than the M1 model. This is the group that feels the jump most.
• You are buying your first Mac: the base 13-inch M5 with 16 GB and 512 GB is the sensible starting point. Choose 24 GB of memory if you edit video, code with several containers or run local AI models.

If you are replacing a working MacBook, you can trade it in at a free doorstep check in Bengaluru and pay only the difference, or keep its value as Swap Credits. Start with a trade-in estimate, and wipe the old laptop properly first.