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Apple MacBook Air 15″ (M3) vs Apple MacBook Air 15″ (M5)

Every spec side by side, from each maker's published figures.

Better figure, where one is clearly better

AppleMacBook Air 15″ (M3)AppleMacBook Air 15″ (M5)
Overview
ReleasedMarch 2024March 2026
Display
Screen size15.3″15.3″
Resolution2880 × 18642880 × 1864
PanelIPS LCDIPS LCD
Refresh rate60 Hz60 Hz
Brightness500 nits500 nits
TouchscreenNoNo
Display typeLiquid Retina display; LED-backlit with IPS technologyLiquid Retina display; LED-backlit with IPS technology
Pixel density224 ppi224 ppi
Colour rangeWide colour (P3); 1 billion coloursWide colour (P3); 1 billion colours
Display featuresTrue Tone; 60 Hz refresh rate (Notebookcheck)True Tone
Performance
ProcessorApple M3Apple M5
CPU cores810
Graphics10-core GPU10-core GPU
Memory8 GB, 16 GB or 24 GB16 GB, 24 GB or 32 GB
Storage256 GB to 2 TB512 GB to 4 TB
CPU8-core CPU with 4 performance cores and 4 efficiency cores10-core CPU with 4 super cores and 6 efficiency cores
GPU10-core GPU with hardware-accelerated ray tracing; media engine supports H.264, HEVC, ProRes and ProRes RAW, video and ProRes encode/decode, and AV1 decodeNeural Accelerators; hardware-accelerated ray tracing; Media Engine with H.264, HEVC, ProRes and ProRes RAW acceleration and AV1 decode
AI engine16-core Neural Engine16-core Neural Engine
Memory typeUnified memory; 8 GB at launch, configurable to 16 GB or 24 GB; standard memory increased to 16 GB on 30 October 2024Unified memory
Memory bandwidth100 GB/s153 GB/s
Storage typeSSD, configurable to 512 GB, 1 TB or 2 TBSSD, configurable up to 4 TB
CoolingFanlessFanless
Battery and size
Battery life (maker's claim)Up to 18 hoursUp to 18 hours
Battery capacity66.5 Wh66.5 Wh
Weight1.51 kg1.51 kg
Thickness11.5 mm11.5 mm
Width × depth340.4 × 237.6 mm340.4 × 237.6 mm
Battery life detailUp to 15 hours wireless web; lithium-polymer batteryUp to 15 hours wireless web; lithium-polymer battery
Charger35 W Dual USB-C Port Power AdapterSold separately in the UK (35 W dual-port or 70 W Apple USB-C adapters offered); needs at least 35 W over USB PD
Fast chargingWith the 70 W USB-C Power AdapterWith a 70 W or higher USB PD power source
Materials100% recycled aluminium enclosure100% recycled aluminium enclosure; 55% recycled content overall
ColoursSilver, Starlight, Space Grey, MidnightSky Blue, Silver, Starlight, Midnight
Connections
Ports2 × Thunderbolt 3, MagSafe 3, headphone jack2 × Thunderbolt 4, MagSafe 3, headphone jack
Wi-FiWi-Fi 6EWi-Fi 7
Bluetooth5.36
Webcam1080p FaceTime HD12MP Center Stage
Operating systemmacOSmacOS
Port detailTwo Thunderbolt / USB 4 ports supporting charging, DisplayPort, Thunderbolt 3 and USB 4 up to 40 Gb/s; MagSafe 3; 3.5 mm headphone jack with high-impedance headphone support2 × Thunderbolt 4 (USB-C) with charging, DisplayPort, Thunderbolt 4 and USB 4 (up to 40 Gb/s); MagSafe 3; 3.5 mm headphone jack with high-impedance headphone support
External displaysOne external display up to 6K 60 Hz alongside the built-in display; close the lid to use a second external display up to 5K 60 HzUp to two at 6K 60 Hz or 4K 144 Hz, or one at up to 8K 60 Hz, 5K 120 Hz or 4K 240 Hz, alongside the built-in display
KeyboardBacklit Magic Keyboard; 78 (US) or 79 (ISO) keys with 12 full-height function keys; ambient light sensorBacklit Magic Keyboard, 78 (ANSI) or 79 (ISO) keys including 12 full-height function keys
TrackpadForce Touch trackpadForce Touch trackpad
SpeakersSix-speaker sound system with force-cancelling woofers; Spatial Audio with Dolby AtmosSix-speaker sound system with force-cancelling woofers; Spatial Audio with Dolby Atmos
MicrophonesThree-mic array with directional beamforming; Voice Isolation and Wide Spectrum modesThree-mic array with directional beamforming; Voice Isolation and Wide Spectrum modes
BiometricsTouch IDTouch ID
In the box15-inch MacBook Air, 35 W Dual USB-C Port Power Adapter, USB-C to MagSafe 3 Cable (2 m)15-inch MacBook Air, USB-C to MagSafe 3 Cable (2 m); power adapter sold separately

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