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M2 vs. M3 vs. M4 MacBook Air Buyer's Guide: 25+ Differences Compared

Apple just announced a new MacBook Air, introducing its latest chip, an enhanced camera, and a striking new color option. Simultaneously, it...

‌MacBook Air‌ (2022 and 2023)‌MacBook Air‌ (2024)‌MacBook Air‌ (2025)1080p FaceTime HD camera1080p ‌FaceTime‌ HD camera12MP cameraSupport for Center Stage and Desk ViewVoice Isolation and Wide Spectrum microphone modesVoice Isolation and Wide Spectrum microphone modesEnhanced voice clarity in audio and video callsEnhanced voice clarity in audio and video callsApple ‌M2‌ chip(based on A15 Bionic chip from 2021's iPhone 13)Apple M3 chip(based on A17 Pro chip from 2023's iPhone 15 Pro)Apple M4 chip(based on A18 chip from 2024's iPhone 16)Made with TSMC's enhanced 5nm node (N5P)Made with TSMC's first 3nm node (N3B)Made with TSMC's enhanced ‌3nm‌ node (N3E)20 billion transistors25 billion transistors28 billion transistors3.49 GHz CPU clock speed4.05 GHz CPU clock speed4.3 GHz CPU clock speed8-core CPU(4 performance + 4 efficiency cores)8-core CPU(4 performance + 4 efficiency cores)10 CPU cores(4 performance + 6 efficiency cores)Up to 10-core GPUUp to 10-core GPU10-core GPUSame GPU architecture as M1 Redesigned GPU architecture with improved efficiencySame GPU architecture as M3Dynamic CachingDynamic CachingHardware-accelerated ray tracingHardware-accelerated ray tracingHardware-accelerated mesh shadingHardware-accelerated mesh shadingLPDDR5 memoryLPDDR5 memoryLPDDR5X memory100 GB/s memory bandwidth100 GB/s memory bandwidth120 GB/s memory bandwidth8GB, 16GB, or 24GB memory (8GB discontinued in 2024)8GB, 16GB, or 24GB memory (8GB discontinued in 2024)16GB, 24GB, or 32GB memory16-core Neural Engine, 15.8 trillion operations per second16-core Neural Engine, 18 trillion operations per second16-core Neural Engine, 38 trillion operations per secondDedicated display engineDedicated display engineSupport for one external displaySupport for up to two external displays when the lid is closedSupport for up to two external displays when the lid is openSupport for AV1 decodeSupport for AV1 decodeWi-Fi 6 connectivityWi-Fi 6E connectivityWi-Fi 6E connectivityAnodization seal to reduce fingerprints (Midnight finish only)Anodization seal to reduce fingerprints (Midnight finish only)Available in Midnight, Starlight, Silver, and Space GrayAvailable in Midnight, Starlight, Silver, and Space GrayAvailable in Midnight, Starlight, Silver, and Sky BlueIntroduced in June 2022 (13-inch) and June 2023 (15-inch)Introduced in March 2024Introduced in March 2025Started at $1,099, dropped to $999 in 2024Started at $1,099Starts at $999Overall, the M3 and M4 MacBook Airs represent minor upgrades over their predecessors, largely focusing on enhanced performance rather than new capabilities. Unless you can leverage the specific advantages of the M4 chip and require maximum performance from its highly portable form factor, it is likely not worth buying the M4 ‌MacBook Air‌ over the previous ‌MacBook Air‌ for most users, providing you can get it for a good enough price. The M4 model's significantly improved camera and enhanced support for two external displays may also justifiably swing your buying decision if you make a lot of video calls or have multiple monitors.

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