Apple MacBook Air M5 Tipped for Early 2026 Launch: What to Expect

By Mehtab Ansari • Updated On Oct 7, 2025

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TL; DR

MacBook Air M5 expected to launch in early 2026, delayed from October 2025; pricing to start at $999 (13-inch).
Runs on Apple’s new M5 chip built on a 3nm process with improved efficiency and graphics, starting at 16GB RAM and 256GB storage.
Retains the same design, display, and ports as current models, shipping with macOS 26 Tahoe.

Apple’s upcoming MacBook Air M5 is reportedly set to arrive between March and May 2026, marking a delay from the originally expected October 2025 debut. The lineup will include 13-inch and 15-inch variants, with pricing starting at $999 and $1,199 respectively.

MacBook Air M5 Specs

Powered by Apple’s base M5 chip fabricated on TSMC’s 3nm process, the Air M5 is expected to bring better power efficiency and sustained performance. The new SoIC packaging enables separate CPU and GPU memory pools, improving thermals and graphics handling.

ALSO READ: Someone already unboxed the unreleased M5 iPad Pro

Entry models are expected to start with 16GB of unified memory and 256GB of SSD storage, going up to 32GB RAM and 2TB SSD. However, there is a SLIGHT chance that Apple will give us 512GB storage on the base models.

Design remains unchanged from the M4 generation, featuring a slim aluminum chassis, Liquid Retina display, and MagSafe 3 charging port alongside dual Thunderbolt 4 USB-C ports. Display specs also stay the same, with a 13.6-inch (2560 x 1664) and 15.3-inch (2880 x 1864) IPS panel, both capped at 60 Hz.

The device will ship with macOS 26 Tahoe, introducing a “Liquid Glass” UI, better Control Center, improved Spotlight, and new native apps like Phone and Games. Despite no design overhaul, battery life is expected to improve slightly due to the M5’s efficiency gains.

ALSO READ: Apple Rumored to Launch Touchscreen OLED MacBook Pro in 2026

OLED and Should You Upgrade?

No OLED upgrade is planned for this generation, with reports suggesting Apple has delayed that transition until 2027. For users upgrading from M1 or Intel-based models, the M5 Air should deliver noticeable improvements in performance and support longevity, though it remains an incremental step for existing M3 or M4 owners.

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Mehtab Ansari

Mehtab Ansari is the Assistant Editor – Features & Reviews at Smartprix, where he writes about smartphones, laptops, audio gear, and everything in between. A computer science student by degree but a tech nerd by heart, he’s been into consumer tech for years and started reviewing products professionally in February 2024. He’s especially into photography and audio, often spending more time testing a smartphone’s camera than he probably should. For him, tech isn’t just work, it’s what he’s always thinking about.

Expertise

Smartphones, laptops, tablets, monitors, smartwatches, photography, and audio gear. I’ve reviewed over 60 products across these categories on Smartprix in the past year and a half.

Education - Bachelor of Computer Applications – Nizam College, Hyderabad (2022–2025) | Joined Smartprix -February 2024 | Published Reviews & Stories - 723

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