MacBook Air M3 vs MacBook Air M4: Is the Upgrade Worth It?
One generation separates the MacBook Air M3 from the MacBook Air M4, and a generation can mean a lot or surprisingly little. The MacBook Air M4 has the edge in 2 of the 5 areas we looked at, most visibly in the memory & storage category.
At a glance
- Display Tie
- Performance MacBook Air M4 wins
- Memory & Storage MacBook Air M4 wins
- Battery Life & Charging Tie
- Ports & Connectivity Tie
- Price MacBook Air M4 wins
- Display5.8
- Performance4.0
- Memory & Storage1.3
- Battery Life & Charging2.6
- Display5.8
- Performance10.0
- Memory & Storage10.0
- Battery Life & Charging3.8
Spec scores (0 to 10) are calculated from manufacturer specs against other models in the same class. See how the formula works. They are not reviews or user ratings.
Key Differences
-
The MacBook Air M4 has 8 GB more base memory
The MacBook Air M4’s 16 GB leaves the MacBook Air M3’s 8 GB well behind, so if this spec matters to you, the choice is easy. Pro workloads like photo and video editing or virtual machines benefit most from the extra memory.
-
The MacBook Air M4 has 2 more CPU cores
It’s a fine margin, and it favors the MacBook Air M4 (10 versus 8). For email and browsing, you won’t notice the gap; for demanding workloads, the MacBook Air M4 has more muscle.
-
The MacBook Air M4 has up to 32 GB of memory
Not a close call. The MacBook Air M4 lists 32 GB and the MacBook Air M3 lists 24 GB. That’s a substantial gap. A higher memory ceiling means you can configure the laptop for heavier workloads when you buy it.
Design & Size
- MacBook Air M3 11.97 in × 8.46 in × 0.44 in
- MacBook Air M4 11.97 in × 8.46 in × 0.44 in
Neither is the “big one” here; the MacBook Air M3 and the MacBook Air M4 are matched on size. Heft is not where these two differ.
Design & Build
| Spec | MacBook Air M3 | MacBook Air M4 |
|---|---|---|
| Width | 11.97 in | 11.97 in |
| Depth | 8.46 in | 8.46 in |
| Thickness | 0.44 in | 0.44 in |
| Weight | 2.73 lb | 2.73 lb |
Display
Too close to call
The differences on display are small enough to ignore in daily use. Net result on display: level.
Performance
MacBook Air M4 leads
The MacBook Air M3 keeps it close on performance, yet the MacBook Air M4 holds a small lead. The MacBook Air M4 wins here with 2 more CPU cores. Core types and clock speeds differ between chips, so core count is one indicator among several. The takeaway: on performance, the MacBook Air M4 is the stronger laptop.
CPU cores
MacBook Air M3: 8 MacBook Air M4: 10 More CPU cores help with heavy multitasking and work that splits well across cores, like code compiling, video export and rendering.
Memory & Storage
MacBook Air M4 leads
For memory & storage, the verdict is easy: the MacBook Air M4 leads, and not by a little. Here the MacBook Air M4 offers 8 GB more base memory. Memory is often hard or impossible to upgrade later, so the MacBook Air M4’s higher starting amount matters for the long run. Net result: the MacBook Air M4 leads this part of the comparison.
Base memory
MacBook Air M3: 8 GB MacBook Air M4: 16 GB More base memory lets you keep more browser tabs and big apps open without slowdowns.
Max memory
MacBook Air M3: 24 GB MacBook Air M4: 32 GB For large datasets, virtual machines or heavy creative projects, the MacBook Air M4’s higher maximum is valuable.
Battery Life & Charging
Too close to call
Swap one for the other and you’d lose nothing on battery life & charging. So battery life & charging is a non-factor here; move on to the areas where they actually differ.
Ports & Connectivity
Too close to call
The ports & connectivity section is even. Any gaps here are within the range you’d never notice. Both cover ports & connectivity well enough that other priorities should break the tie.
Full Specifications
Display
| Spec | MacBook Air M3 | MacBook Air M4 |
|---|---|---|
| Screen size | 13.6 in | 13.6 in |
| Panel type | Liquid Retina IPS LCD | Liquid Retina IPS LCD |
| Resolution | 2560 x 1664 | 2560 x 1664 |
| Pixel density | 224 ppi | 224 ppi |
| Refresh rate | 60 Hz | 60 Hz |
| Peak brightness (SDR) | 500 nits | 500 nits |
Performance
| Spec | MacBook Air M3 | MacBook Air M4 |
|---|---|---|
| Processor | Apple M3 | Apple M4 |
| CPU cores | 8 | 10 (winner) |
| Graphics | Apple M3 GPU (8-core) | Apple M4 GPU (8-core) |
| GPU cores | 8 | 8 |
| Cooling | Fanless (passive) | Fanless (passive) |
Memory & Storage
| Spec | MacBook Air M3 | MacBook Air M4 |
|---|---|---|
| Base memory | 8 GB | 16 GB (winner) |
| Max memory | 24 GB | 32 GB (winner) Highest memory ceiling |
| Base storage | 256 GB | 256 GB |
| Max storage | 2 TB | 2 TB |
Battery Life & Charging
| Spec | MacBook Air M3 | MacBook Air M4 |
|---|---|---|
| Battery | 52.6 Wh | 53.8 Wh |
| Rated battery lifeManufacturer rating | 18 h | 18 h |
| Included charger | 30 W | 30 W |
Ports & Connectivity
| Spec | MacBook Air M3 | MacBook Air M4 |
|---|---|---|
| USB-C / Thunderbolt ports | 2 | 2 |
| Other ports | MagSafe 3, 3.5 mm headphone jack | MagSafe 3, 3.5 mm headphone jack |
| Webcam | 1080p FaceTime HD | 12MP Center Stage |
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 6E (802.11ax) | Wi-Fi 6E (802.11ax) |
| Operating system | macOS Sonoma | macOS Sequoia |
Design & Build
| Spec | MacBook Air M3 | MacBook Air M4 |
|---|---|---|
| Width | 11.97 in | 11.97 in |
| Depth | 8.46 in | 8.46 in |
| Thickness | 0.44 in | 0.44 in |
| Weight | 2.73 lb | 2.73 lb |
Price
| Spec | MacBook Air M3 | MacBook Air M4 |
|---|---|---|
| Launch price | $1,099 | $999 (winner) |
“N/A” means the manufacturer does not specify the value or we could not confirm it. Figures marked “manufacturer rating” are the maker’s own claims, not our measurements.
Price & Value
The launch prices are close, with the MacBook Air M4 just $100 below the MacBook Air M3. Paying $100 more for the MacBook Air M3 doesn’t buy you the better overall package.
Prices shown are US launch prices as of March 2025. Retail prices change often, so it’s worth checking current offers.
Which One Should You Buy?
Choose the MacBook Air M3 if…
- you don’t need what the newer model adds
Choose the MacBook Air M4 if…
- you keep dozens of tabs and big apps open (16 GB vs 8 GB base memory)
- you compile code, render or run heavy multitasking (10 vs 8 CPU cores)
- you might configure it with lots of memory (32 GB vs 24 GB maximum)
- you’re working to a firm budget and $100 matters
- you want the newer generation
Also Compared
Frequently Asked Questions
Should I buy the MacBook Air M3 or the MacBook Air M4?
The MacBook Air M4 wins more of the areas we compared, so it’s the safer pick unless you bought the MacBook Air M3 recently.
Should I upgrade from the MacBook Air M3 to the MacBook Air M4?
It’s one of the more worthwhile generational jumps: the MacBook Air M4 offers 8 GB more base memory, 2 more CPU cores and up to 32 GB of memory compared with the MacBook Air M3.
Does the MacBook Air M3 last longer on a charge than the MacBook Air M4?
On paper, the MacBook Air M3 and the MacBook Air M4 are evenly matched on battery, so expect similar endurance.
Is the MacBook Air M3 bigger than the MacBook Air M4?
Neither by much. The MacBook Air M3 and the MacBook Air M4 have nearly identical dimensions.
Does the MacBook Air M3 perform better than the MacBook Air M4?
Going by the specs, the MacBook Air M4 comes out ahead: it offers 2 more CPU cores.
Which costs less, the MacBook Air M3 or the MacBook Air M4?
Going by launch prices, the MacBook Air M4 costs $100 less than the MacBook Air M3. Prices as of March 2025; current offers may differ.
Executive Summary
New generation, same question from me: is the MacBook Air M4 a real step up from the MacBook Air M3, or mostly a new name on the box? It’s hard to argue with 8 GB more base memory, which is exactly what the MacBook Air M4 brings. A second point goes to the MacBook Air M4 for 2 more CPU cores.
Match the strength to your habits (the things a spec sheet can’t capture for the MacBook Air M3, performance for the MacBook Air M4), and you won’t go far wrong.
My pick: the MacBook Air M4 if you’re choosing today, but owning the MacBook Air M3 is no reason to panic.
Personal opinion based on the data above. Your priorities may differ.