Apple's Next MacBook Air: M5 Chip Upgrade Coming in 2026

Apple is preparing to refresh its most popular laptop with an upgraded MacBook Air featuring the new M5 chip. While the MacBook Pro has been grabbing headlines with its latest updates, the MacBook Air—which has become Apple's best-selling Mac—is also set to receive a performance-focused upgrade in the first half of 2026.

Performance Boost with M5 Chip

The upcoming MacBook Air won't be a complete redesign but rather a spec bump that focuses on improved performance. The new model will be powered by Apple's M5 chip, which represents a meaningful upgrade from the current M4 processor found in today's MacBook Air models.

When Apple introduced the M5 MacBook Pro last year, the company highlighted several key improvements:

• 4x the peak GPU compute performance for AI compared to M4
• Next-generation GPU with a Neural Accelerator in each core
• More powerful CPU
• Faster Neural Engine
• Higher unified memory bandwidth

In benchmark testing, the M5 chip has demonstrated impressive gains over its predecessor:

• 9-10% faster in single-core CPU performance
• 19% faster in multi-core CPU performance
• 37% faster in GPU performance

These improvements mean users can expect smoother multitasking, faster application launches, and better performance in graphics-intensive tasks and AI-powered applications.

Design and Form Factors Remain Unchanged

Unlike the dramatic redesign Apple introduced with the M2 MacBook Air in 2022, which brought a thinner profile and notch display, the M5 MacBook Air will maintain the same design language as the current generation. The laptop will continue to be available in both 13-inch and 15-inch configurations, giving users the same size options they have today.

This approach makes sense for Apple, as the current MacBook Air design has been well-received by consumers and critics alike. Rather than fixing what isn't broken, Apple is focusing on delivering the performance improvements that users actually notice in day-to-day use.

Release Timeline and Historical Context

Based on Apple's recent release patterns, the M5 MacBook Air is expected to arrive during the first half of 2026. This aligns with Apple's typical March release schedule for MacBook Air updates:

• The M4 MacBook Air launched in March 2025
• The M3 MacBook Air debuted in March 2023
• The M2 MacBook Air was released in June 2022

This consistent timing suggests Apple has found an optimal cadence for refreshing its most popular laptop model.

The Power of Apple Silicon

These year-over-year Mac upgrades, while not always revolutionary, demonstrate the significant advantages Apple has gained since transitioning to its own silicon. As the article notes, "These year-over-year Mac upgrades aren't necessarily super exciting. They are, however, a great example of what Apple can do when it has full control over its hardware."

Since the Apple Silicon era began in 2020, Apple has been able to consistently update nearly all of its Mac models on a regular schedule—something that was simply not possible when the company relied on Intel processors. With its own chip designs, Apple can optimize performance, power efficiency, and features across its entire product line without waiting for third-party processor updates.

What This Means for Buyers

For potential MacBook Air buyers, the M5 upgrade presents an interesting decision point. Those who need maximum performance for tasks like video editing, software development, or running AI applications will want to wait for the M5 model. However, users with more modest needs might find excellent value in the current M4 models, especially with potential discounts as the new version approaches.

The M5 MacBook Air will be particularly appealing to users who want the latest technology and best performance in Apple's most portable and affordable laptop. The significant GPU improvements also make it an attractive option for creative professionals who work with graphics, video, or AI-powered applications.

The upcoming MacBook Air refresh continues Apple's strategy of steady, meaningful improvements to its most popular products, ensuring that even users who don't need the high-end features of the MacBook Pro can still benefit from cutting-edge Apple Silicon performance in a lightweight, affordable package.