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Apple MacBook Air 13-Inch (M5) vs Apple MacBook Air 15-Inch (M5)

Both are the same laptop in two sizes: same M5 chip, same 18-hour battery, same ports and build. The 13-inch wins on portability at 2.7 lb and is the better fit for carrying to class or on commutes. The 15-inch wins on screen real estate, a larger 15.3-inch panel, a four-speaker system and a headphone jack, which matters if you work in one place and watch a lot of video. Owners and reviewers rate the Air line for build quality and battery; the main knock on both is a design that has barely changed.

  • Choose the 13-inch MacBook Air if you carry your laptop every day and want the lightest, most compact M5 Air.
  • Choose the 15-inch MacBook Air if you want a bigger screen and better speakers and mostly work at a desk.

Prices

  • Apple MacBook Air 13-Inch (M5): $1,099.00 at Amazon (checked today)
  • Apple MacBook Air 15-Inch (M5): $1,289.00 at PC Richard & Son (checked today)
  • Difference: the Apple MacBook Air 13-Inch (M5) is $190.00 cheaper than the Apple MacBook Air 15-Inch (M5) today
Apple
Apple MacBook Air 13-Inch (2026, M5)

Apple MacBook Air 13-Inch (M5)

Apple MacBook Air 13-Inch (2026, M5)

5(13 ratings)
$1,099.00at AmazonChecked 1 h ago
See all prices and details
Visit Amazon

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Pros
  • Lightest option at 2.7 lb
  • Same M5 performance as the 15-inch
  • 18-hour battery
  • 512GB base storage
  • Fits small bags and trays
Cons
  • Smaller screen for side-by-side work
  • Fewer memory configurations listed
  • No headphone jack listed
  • Design unchanged from prior models
Apple
Apple MacBook Air 15-Inch (2026, M5)

Apple MacBook Air 15-Inch (M5)

Apple MacBook Air 15-Inch (2026, M5)

$1,289.00at PC Richard & SonChecked 1 h ago
See all prices and details
Visit PC Richard & Son
Pros
  • Bigger 15.3-inch screen at higher resolution
  • Four speakers with Spatial Audio
  • Headphone jack
  • Memory up to 32GB
  • Same M5 chip and battery life
Cons
  • 3.3 lb is heavier to carry daily
  • Takes more desk and bag space
  • Same unchanged exterior design
  • No dedicated GPU upgrade over the 13-inch

What separates them

Apple MacBook Air 13-Inch (M5)Apple MacBook Air 15-Inch (M5)
Weight2.7 lb, easy to carry all day3.3 lb, noticeably heavier in a bag
Screen size13.6-inch Liquid Retina15.3-inch Liquid Retina
Resolution2560 x 16642880 x 1864, more pixels
SpeakersStandard speaker setupFour-speaker system with Spatial Audio and Dolby Atmos
Headphone jackNot listed3.5 mm headphone jack
Memory options16GB base16GB, 24GB or 32GB
Battery lifeUp to 18 hoursUp to 18 hours
Chip and portsM5, two Thunderbolt 4, MagSafe 3, Wi-Fi 7M5, two Thunderbolt 4, MagSafe 3, Wi-Fi 7

Price history

$1,289.00$1,089.00
Oct 30Nov 14
  • Apple MacBook Air 13-Inch (M5): lowest $1,089.00 on Nov 10 at PC Richard & Son; $1,099.00 on Nov 14.
  • Apple MacBook Air 15-Inch (M5): lowest $1,289.00 on Nov 14 at PC Richard & Son.

Prices at every store

Apple MacBook Air 13-Inch (M5)

  • Best BuyNew

    In stock

    $1,149.00Free shippingChecked 45 min ago
    Visit Best Buy
  • AmazonNew

    Availability unknown

    As an Amazon Associate, Deal.ai earns from qualifying purchases.

    $1,099.00Free shippingChecked 1 h ago
    Visit Amazon
  • AmazonNew

    Availability unknown

    As an Amazon Associate, Deal.ai earns from qualifying purchases.

    $1,099.00Checked Nov 6
    Visit Amazon
  • eBayNew

    Availability unknownSold by korting_outlet (99.3% positive, 10,300 ratings)Returns: Set by the eBay seller; the eBay Money Back Guarantee covers an item that doesn't arrive or isn't as described.

    $1,121.99Free shippingChecked Nov 9
    Visit eBay

Store links may earn us a commission. Some prices via Klarna.

All 26 stores and price history →

Apple MacBook Air 15-Inch (M5)

  • Apple Education StoreNew

    In stock

    $1,399.00Free shippingChecked 1 h ago
    Visit Apple Education Store
  • PC Richard & SonNew

    Availability unknown

    $1,289.00Checked 1 h ago
    Visit PC Richard & Son
  • AmazonNew

    Availability unknown

    As an Amazon Associate, Deal.ai earns from qualifying purchases.

    $1,299.00Free shippingChecked 1 h ago
    Visit Amazon
  • UCLA StoreNew

    Availability unknown

    $1,399.00Checked 1 h ago
    Visit UCLA Store

Store links may earn us a commission.

All 12 stores and price history →

Specs compared

SpecApple MacBook Air 13-Inch (M5)Apple MacBook Air 15-Inch (M5)
Operating SystemMac OSMac OS
With Retina DisplayYesYes
Drive TypeSolid State DriveSolid State Drive
Number Of CoresOcta CoreOcta Core
ColorSilver, Sky Blue, Midnight, StarlightSilver, Sky Blue, Midnight, Starlight
LanguageEnglish / North AmericaEnglish / North America
Available PortsUSB-CUSB-C
Biometric SecurityFingerprint ScanFingerprint Scan
Weight2.7 lb3.3 lb
Screen Size13 inches15 inches
Battery Life18 hours battery life18 hours battery life
ProcessorM5Apple M5 10-Core Chip
Show all 40 specsShow fewer specs
SpecApple MacBook Air 13-Inch (M5)Apple MacBook Air 15-Inch (M5)
Wi-FiWiFi 7Wi-Fi 7
BluetoothBluetooth 6Bluetooth 6
Installed Memory16 GB RAM16 GB RAM, 24 GB RAM, 32 GB RAM
Resolution2560 x 1664—
CPU cores10-core CPU—
GPU coresup to a 10-core GPU—
Base storage512GB—
Maximum storageup to 4TB—
Available sizes13-inch and 15-inch—
Drive Capacity

What reviewers say

Apple MacBook Air 13-Inch (M5)

  • 5 / 513 ratings

Reviewers rate the 2026 Air highly, calling it a largely unchanged design that stays a top-value ultraportable. The faster M5 chip and the jump to 512GB of base storage are the main reasons.

What people mention
  • Build qualityPraisedReviewers call the aluminum chassis exceptionally well built.
  • PerformancePraisedThe M5 chip is seen as noticeably faster for multitasking and heavier apps.
  • StoragePraisedThe 512GB base SSD is treated as a major upgrade over earlier base models.
  • ValuePraisedReviewers rank it among the best-value ultraportables.

Apple MacBook Air 15-Inch (M5)

Owners of the 15-inch Air line praise the big screen, light weight, silent fanless build and all-day battery. Common complaints are the two-port limit, the 60Hz display and the cost of upgrading memory or storage.

What people mention
  • DisplayMixedOwners like the size and sharpness but note it is 60Hz with no ProMotion.
  • PortsCriticisedTwo Thunderbolt ports force many users to carry a hub or dock.
  • BatteryPraisedReviewers report all-day use and long video playback.
  • NoisePraisedThe fanless design runs silent even under sustained load.
Reviews
  • The Best Ultraportable Laptops for 2026
  • 2026 Grad Gift Guide: The Best Laptops and Gear to Launch a Career - PCMag editors select and review products independently
  • The Best Apple MacBooks for 2026
  • Laptops: Buying Advice, Tips, and News - PCMag editors select and review products independently
  • The Best Apple MacBooks for 2026 - PCMag editors select and review products independently
  • The Best Laptops for College Students in 2026 - PCMag editors select and review products independently

Questions and answers

Which is better for a student carrying a laptop to class?
The 13-inch. At 2.7 lb it is easier to carry all day and still gives the same M5 performance and battery life.
Is the 15-inch screen worth stepping up to?
If you edit photos, work in split-screen or watch video often, yes. The 15.3-inch panel is bigger and sharper, and the four speakers are clearly better.
Do they perform the same?
Yes. Both use the M5 chip with a 10-core CPU and 10-core GPU, so day-to-day speed is the same. The 15-inch can be configured with more memory.
Which has better battery life?
Both are rated up to 18 hours. The larger screen on the 15-inch can draw more power at high brightness, so expect the 13-inch to edge ahead in real use.
Which lasts longer?
Both share the same aluminum build and Apple's support cycle, so longevity is similar. Pick based on size and ports, not durability.
Does the 15-inch have anything the 13-inch lacks?
A headphone jack and a four-speaker Dolby Atmos system. The 13-inch has neither listed.

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4 TB drive
—
Screen Resolution2560 x 1664—
Touch Screenfalse—
Processor ModelApple M5—
Storage TypeSSD—
Total Storage Capacity512 gigabytes—
System Memory (RAM)16 gigabytes—
GraphicsApple M5 8-core—
Display Connector(s)2 x Thunderbolt 4—
Battery ChemistryLithium-polymer—
Backlit Keyboardtrue—
BrandApple—
Model NumberMDHE4LL/A—
Year of Release2026—
Processor BrandApple—
Processor Model NumberApple M5—
Number of CPU Cores10-core—
Solid State Drive Capacity512 gigabytes—
Type of Memory (RAM)Not provided—