MacBook Air (M5 series) vs MacBook Pro (M5 series)
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MacBook Air (M5 series)
Starting at
£1,885.24
MacBook Pro (M5 series)
Starting at
£1,950.44What's the difference between the MacBook Air (M5 series) and MacBook Pro (M5 series)?
MacBook Air (M5 series) vs MacBook Pro (M5 series) comes down to the screen size, screen type and weight. Refurbished, the MacBook Air (M5 series) starts at £1885.24, £65.20 less than the MacBook Pro (M5 series). The MacBook Air (M5 series) is the newer model, released in 2026.
Refurbished from
Screen size
Screen type
Weight
- The MacBook Air (M5 series) has a bigger screen: 15 inch vs 14 inch.
- Screen type: Liquid Retina Display on the MacBook Air (M5 series), Liquid Retina XDR display on the MacBook Pro (M5 series).
- The MacBook Air (M5 series) has a lighter build: 1510 g vs 1550 g.
MacBook Air (M5 series) vs MacBook Pro (M5 series) specs
The MacBook Air (M5 series) and MacBook Pro (M5 series) share many core features such as the same Apple processor brand, 16 GB of RAM, and compatibility with macOS Tahoe. The MacBook Air offers a larger 15 inch screen with Liquid Retina technology and SSD storage options starting at 512 GB, suiting users who prefer more screen space. The MacBook Pro has a brighter 1000 nits Liquid Retina XDR display in a smaller 14 inch size, with an additional USB-C port and Promotion technology, making it a strong choice for those valuing screen brightness and extra connectivity.
MacBook Air (M5 series) vs MacBook Pro (M5 series) price
MacBook Air (M5 series) vs MacBook Pro (M5 series) battery life and software updates
Their durability in terms of software support is aligned, which means both are ready for current and future macOS features.
Release Year Context
The MacBook Air was released in 2026, while the MacBook Pro came out in 2025.
Maximum operating system supported
OS at launch
Year of release
MacBook Air (M5 series) vs MacBook Pro (M5 series) performance
Both devices offer powerful performance capabilities with matching GPU cores, RAM, and Apple processors. Storage options and port availability differ, which may influence your choice depending on storage needs and connectivity preferences.
Processor and Memory
Both MacBook Air and MacBook Pro come equipped with Apple processors, a 10-core GPU, 64-bit architecture, and 16 GB of RAM. This makes them well suited for demanding multitasking and graphics tasks, ensuring smooth performance for creative work or everyday use.
Storage Options
MacBook Air offers SSD storage starting at 512 GB with options up to 4 TB. The MacBook Pro provides 512 GB storage with available options up to 2 TB. If you need very high storage capacity, the MacBook Air's larger maximum SSD size might suit you better.
Graphic card
Macbook architecture
Processor brand
Processor speed ghz
RAM
Storage type
MacBook Air (M5 series) vs MacBook Pro (M5 series) screen
Screen quality is a key difference. The MacBook Air has a larger 15 inch Liquid Retina display with up to 2880 x 1864 resolution and 500 nits brightness, while the MacBook Pro features a slightly smaller 14 inch Liquid Retina XDR screen with higher resolution and brightness, ideal for users prioritising vivid visuals.
Screen Size and Resolution
The MacBook Air's 15 inch screen offers more space, which is great for watching videos or multitasking with multiple windows. It has resolutions of 2560 x 1664 and 2880 x 1864. The MacBook Pro's 14 inch screen has a higher resolution of 3024 x 1964, providing sharper detail in a more compact form.
Brightness and Display Type
The MacBook Pro supports up to 1000 nits brightness with a Liquid Retina XDR display, which delivers brighter highlights and better contrast. This is advantageous if you work in bright environments or need precise colour accuracy. The MacBook Air's 500 nits brightness with a Liquid Retina display suits general use and indoor settings.
Ips
Resolution
Retina
Screen brightness
Screen size
Screen type
True tone
MacBook Air (M5 series) vs MacBook Pro (M5 series) camera
Front camera definition
Speakers
Webcam
MacBook Air (M5 series) vs MacBook Pro (M5 series) size and design
Additional features like Bluetooth versions, ports, and weight differ between the two devices, affecting connectivity and portability. These details help match the device to your workflow and travel habits.
Bluetooth Version
The MacBook Air supports Bluetooth 6.0, while the MacBook Pro uses Bluetooth 5.3. This may influence compatibility with newer peripherals or wireless accessories, with the Air featuring the more recent Bluetooth version.
Ports and Connectivity
MacBook Air has two USB Type-C Thunderbolt 4 ports, while MacBook Pro offers three USB-C ports of the same type. The additional port on the Pro provides more options for connecting multiple devices or external displays without needing a hub.
Weight
The MacBook Air weighs 1510 g, making it slightly lighter than the MacBook Pro at 1550 g. This subtle difference may be noticed if you carry your laptop often and prefer a lighter option.
Screen Features and Extras
Both devices include True Tone technology and support Touch input, but only the MacBook Pro offers Promotion display technology, which can make animations and scrolling feel smoother. Neither device has a Touch Bar.
Bluetooth
Bluetooth version
Card slot
Charger compatibility
Display
Hdmi output
Jack plug
Keyboard language type
Neural engine
Promotion
Release date
Touch
Touch bar
Usb typec thunderbolt 4 ports
Usbc port
Webcam definition
Weight
Wifi technology
MacBook Air (M5 series) or MacBook Pro (M5 series): which should you buy?
Buy the MacBook Air (M5 series) if
- you want to spend less: it starts at £1885.24, £65.20 less than the MacBook Pro (M5 series)
- you want a bigger screen (15 inch vs 14 inch)
- you want a lighter build (1510 g vs 1550 g)
MacBook Air (M5 series) vs MacBook Pro (M5 series) FAQs
MacBook Air (M5 series) vs MacBook Pro (M5 series) comes down to the screen size, screen type and weight. The MacBook Air (M5 series) has a bigger screen: 15 inch vs 14 inch. Screen type: Liquid Retina Display on the MacBook Air (M5 series), Liquid Retina XDR display on the MacBook Pro (M5 series).
The MacBook Air (M5 series) is cheaper refurbished, from £1885.24 compared with £1950.44 for the MacBook Pro (M5 series).
The MacBook Air (M5 series) adds a bigger screen (15 inch vs 14 inch) and a lighter build (1510 g vs 1550 g). Refurbished, it costs £65.20 less (from £1885.24 vs £1950.44).
Refurbished, the MacBook Air (M5 series) comes in 512GB and 1TB, and the MacBook Pro (M5 series) in 512GB, 1TB and 2TB.
