MacBook Air M5 vs M4: Is the Upgrade Worth $0?
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Here’s the situation: Apple replaced the MacBook Air M4 with the M5 at the exact same $1,099 price. The M4 is now previous-generation and available at a discount. So you have two choices — pay full price for the M5, or save $100-200 on the M4. Which makes more sense?
If you’re buying new: the M5, without question. If you own an M4: keep reading.
What Actually Changed
| Spec | MacBook Air M4 | MacBook Air M5 |
|---|---|---|
| Price | ~$899-999 (discounted) | $1,099 |
| Chip | M4 (10-core CPU) | M5 (10-core CPU, redesigned) |
| GPU | 8 cores | 8 cores (faster architecture) |
| RAM | 16GB | 16GB |
| Storage | 256GB | 512GB |
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 6E | Wi-Fi 7 |
| Bluetooth | 5.3 | 6.0 |
| AI Performance | Baseline | 4x faster Neural Engine |
| Battery | 18 hours | 18 hours |
| Weight | 1.24kg | 1.23kg |
The CPU architecture is redesigned with “super cores” that deliver 15-25% better performance. The GPU is architecturally improved for ~20% better graphics. But the two headline changes are the doubled base storage (256GB → 512GB) and Wi-Fi 7.
The Storage Fix
The M4’s 256GB base storage was its most criticized weakness. In 2025, 256GB filled up fast — especially with macOS itself taking ~30GB, apps eating another 20-30GB, and photos/documents consuming the rest. Most buyers had to spend $200 extra for the 512GB configuration, making the real price $1,299.
The M5 starts at 512GB. This single change makes the $1,099 M5 a better value than the $1,099 M4 was at launch.
Should M4 Owners Upgrade?
No. Unless you specifically need Wi-Fi 7 or the 4x AI performance boost, the M4 is still an excellent machine that’ll last 4+ more years. The CPU performance difference is evolutionary, not revolutionary. Your M4 isn’t suddenly slow because the M5 exists.
If you bought the 256GB M4 and regret the storage, sell it and buy the 512GB M5. That’s the one scenario where upgrading makes sense.
Should M3 or Older Owners Upgrade?
Absolutely. The jump from M3 to M5 is significant — better performance, double the RAM (M3 base was 8GB vs M5’s 16GB), double the storage (M3 was 256GB), and Wi-Fi 7. Check our M3 vs M4 comparison — the M5 extends every advantage further.
Should You Buy a Discounted M4?
The M4 at $899-999 is still a great laptop. If you’re on a tight budget and the $100-200 savings matters, the M4 is a smart buy — especially the 512GB configuration if you can find it discounted. Just know that Wi-Fi 7 and the doubled AI performance are things you’ll miss as the ecosystem evolves over the next few years.
The Verdict
New buyers: Get the M5. Same price, better everything. The 512GB base storage alone settles the debate.
M4 owners: Keep what you have. The improvements are real but not worth the cost of upgrading a one-year-old machine.
Budget shoppers: A discounted M4 at $899 with 512GB storage is excellent value if you can find one.
Buy MacBook Air M5 (paid link) (paid link)
Buy MacBook Air M4 (discounted) (paid link) (paid link)