M4 MacBook Air: What the rumors say to expect from the first new Mac of 2025
Apple's M4 MacBook Air may be out as soon as the week of February 17. Here's what to expect from Apple's first Mac release of 2025.
MacBook Air
While it's previously been rumored to be launched any time from January 2025 onwards, it is known that Apple has been testing an M4 MacBook Air ahead of a presumably imminent release. While the iPhone 4 SE may be the major launch for February 2025, the new MacBook Air may debut very soon as well.
That would also make it about a year since the last update. March 2024 saw the MacBook Air gain the M3 processor, and various improvements including Wi-Fi 6E and the ability to use two external displays.
None of these were exactly game-changing, especially for users of the previous MacBook Air model. But for users not yet on Apple Silicon Macs, AppleInsider said it was "the ideal Mac laptop for Intel hold-outs."
After a few months of intensive use, though, that opinion was upgraded. By July 2024, AppleInsider was able to say that the M3 MacBook Air was "the best Mac for nearly everyone."
Improving the best Mac
That remains true and for performance, features, design and even price, the MacBook Air is the sweet spot in Apple's Mac range. Yet is now almost a year old, and while there will always be another new model coming, we are at the stage where people should delay ordering the current one.
This is based on the time since the last update, plus the consistent rumors surrounding an update's new features. But as well as rumors, there is evidence of what improvements Apple has at least been trying out.
Nothing is certain until the device has been released, and it is always possible that Apple will choose not to include a feature it has been testing. But in December 2024, AppleInsider uncovered that the new MacBook Air will of course get the M4 processor -- but also a new camera system.
Specifically, code within macOS refers to a "Front Ultra Wide Camera." Cameras have always been a weak spot for Apple laptops, so an ultra wide lens system would be a welcome improvement.
Given Apple's previous use of ultra wide cameras, it's more than reasonable to presume that the new MacBook Air will get Center Stage, too. This is the feature that allows the user to stay perfectly framed in video calls, even if they walk a little out of frame.
The ultra wide camera is also how the MacBook Pro is able to offer Desk View on video calls. This is the alchemy that lets a video conference user switch to showing a top-down view of their desk, without moving or changing cameras.
What else the new MacBook Air is likely to have
It's expected that the MacBook Air will again come in two sizes, and the design of each will remain the same as in the 2024 versions. It will certainly have the M4 processor, but it won't have the M4 Pro or M4 Max
Those processors are faster than the base M4, but they are also more costly. While there have been no rumors about pricing, it is extremely likely that Apple will keep to the same pricing as in 2024.
So on the one hand, using the M4 Pro or M4 Max would stop the MacBook Air being the most affordable Mac laptop. And even if Apple offered optional configurations that added either of these processors, it would then be barking at the heels of the MacBook Pro.
Apple is very good at positioning its products and will keep clear daylight between the MacBook Pro and the MacBook Air.
It will certainly not give the MacBook Air options that the more expensive MacBook Pro does not. So, for instance, that means it will likely continue to use Wi-Fi 6E instead of the faster Wi-Fi 7.
MacBook Air display
The new MacBook Air will definitely not have an OLED display. While that technology is more power efficient than the current system, and while it produces stronger, clearer colors, it's also expensive.
Even the MacBook Pro does not have an OLED screen. It's expected now to gain one in 2026, but the MacBook Air won't see OLED until at least 2028.
Cost is unquestionably the major factor in keeping OLED off the MacBook Air, but there is another reason. OLED with its richer blacks was the key selling point of the 2024 iPad Pro -- and it didn't sell as well as expected.
So the MacBook Air is now at least very unlikely to get an OLED screen, and certainly won't if it is being released before the next MacBook Pro launch. Reports about its OLED screen being delayed, though, have claimed that Apple is still looking to make some improvements to the MacBook Air display.
That expected improvement would be a move to a new type of LCD panel using Oxide TFT technology. That would bring sharper images, faster performance, and also use less battery power.
However, that update to the screen is a much bigger update than is expected for 2025. It's more likely that the display will change in 2027, which means the next MacBook Pro will almost certainly have the same screen as the current model.
Expected specifications and prices
If it's correct that Apple will stick to the current MacBook Air pricing, then the base model will cost $1,099. That will feature a 10-core CPU, 10-core GPU, plus 16GB of unified memory and a barely adequate 256GB of SSD storage.
Apple will offer build-to-order configurations that allow users to choose larger storage or more RAM. Currently, the maximum configuration for the 13-inch MacBook Air is 24GB 32GB RAM and 2TB of storage, for $2,099.
At present, the 15-inch MacBook Air starts at $1,299 for 16GB RAM and 256GB storage. It rises to $2,299 for 24GB RAM and 2TB storage.
But speaking of current prices, it is possible that will again do what it did with the move from an M2 MacBook Air to an M3 one. It kept, and continues to keep, an M2 MacBook Air on sale for $999.
While there is now only a 13-inch M2 MacBook Air being sold by Apple, there was previously a 15-inch version. It's possible, then, that Apple will retire that last M2 model and offer a lower-price 13-inch M3 MacBook Air in its place.
If that's the case, it's probable that the price will remain as it is for the M2 MacBook Air. That means a base $999 for 16GB RAM and 256GB storage.
When the new MacBook Air will launch
The most recent rumors concerning a release date have claimed that MacBook Air will be updated early in 2025. Separately, it's been reported that Apple will hold a series of small announcements beginning in mid-February.
Those announcements have started with the launch of an ambitious new health study, and Tim Cook also teasing what is most likely to be the release of the iPhone SE 4.
Apple is unlikely to hold an event for the launch of the new MacBook Air, but it's also not a small announcement. So while it will probably be launched with a press release, Apple is most likely to hold off the MacBook Air into March at the earliest.
Read on AppleInsider
Comments
and then consider these days a laptop is connected to a bigger main screen, well, why the need? I would prefer a lower price.
MBA should in 1-2 generations gain 90 Hz refresh rate, WiFi 7, and batteries that can be replaced by users (EU requirement). I don't see any reason not to recommend MBA M3 or M4.
Although I'm ready for iMac and Macbook Air upgrades, they're a pass for me until Apple moves to WiFi 7. Weird that they did it for iPhones, but for iPads and Macs--devices which users keep far longer than iPhones--even the latest models released after iPhone 16 remain stuck on 6E.
So I am very reluctant to buy expensive tech without it
Not that it makes the world of difference
The way I see it, we’re paying a price in lost screen real estate on the MacBooks, so why not show a little respect for those lost pixels by squeezing in a Face ID sensor?