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MacBook Air M1 vs M2 vs M3 vs M4 (2025): Which One Should You Buy for the Best Value and Performance?
The MacBook Air lineup has evolved dramatically since the launch of the Apple M1 chip in 2020. In just a few years, Apple has transitioned from Intel processors to its powerful in-house silicon, refining the MacBook Air into one of the most efficient, lightweight, and capable laptops in the world. But with four generations — M1, M2, M3, and now M4 — available across online and offline sales, many buyers find themselves confused: which MacBook Air is truly worth buying in 2025?
This detailed guide compares all four generations in terms of price, performance, design, battery life, and practical use cases to help you make the right decision.
Quick Comparison Table: MacBook Air M1 vs M2 vs M3 vs M4
Feature | MacBook Air M1 (2020) | MacBook Air M2 (2022) | MacBook Air M3 (2024) | MacBook Air M4 (2025) |
---|---|---|---|---|
Chip | Apple M1 (8-core CPU, 7-core GPU) | Apple M2 (8-core CPU, 10-core GPU) | Apple M3 (8-core CPU, 10-core GPU, 3nm) | Apple M4 (10-core CPU, 8-core GPU, 3nm+) |
Display | 13.3″ Retina, 400 nits | 13.6″ Liquid Retina, 500 nits | 13.6″ Liquid Retina, 500 nits | 13.6″ Liquid Retina, 500 nits |
RAM Options | 8GB | 8GB–16GB | 8GB–24GB | 8GB–24GB (Unified Memory) |
Storage Options | 256GB–2TB SSD | 256GB–2TB SSD | 256GB–2TB SSD | 256GB–2TB SSD |
Battery Life | Up to 18 hours | Up to 18 hours | Up to 18 hours | Up to 20 hours |
Weight | 1.29 kg | 1.24 kg | 1.24 kg | 1.22 kg |
Ports | 2x Thunderbolt / USB 4, 3.5mm audio | 2x Thunderbolt / USB 4, MagSafe 3, 3.5mm audio | Same as M2 | Same as M2 |
Starting Price (India) | ₹79,900 – ₹84,900 | ₹99,900 – ₹1,14,900 | ₹1,19,900 – ₹1,29,900 | ₹85,990 – ₹1,09,900 |
Best For | Students, light users | Designers, office users | Developers, creators | Professionals, heavy users |
1. Design and Build Quality: Sleek Meets Evolution
Apple’s design philosophy for the MacBook Air evolved significantly from the M1’s wedge-shaped aluminum unibody to the flat-edged, modern chassis introduced with the M2.
- The M1 Air still retains the classic MacBook silhouette, which many find elegant and iconic.
- The M2, M3, and M4 models adopt the newer, uniform-thickness design with thinner bezels, MagSafe charging, and larger trackpads.
- The M4 Air, weighing just 1.22 kg, is now the lightest MacBook Air ever, making it ultra-portable for students and digital nomads.
Verdict: If portability and aesthetics matter, go for M2 or M4. The M1 still looks good but feels slightly dated next to the newer flat design.
2. Performance and Speed: Apple Silicon Power at Work
M1 (2020)
The M1 was Apple’s first ARM-based chip for Macs — a breakthrough in efficiency and performance. It still handles everyday tasks, browsing, MS Office, light photo editing, and even basic video editing flawlessly. Geekbench scores hover around 1,700 (single-core) and 7,500 (multi-core).
M2 (2022)
The M2 chip improved upon the M1 by roughly 18–20% in CPU performance and up to 35% in GPU capability, making it ideal for multitasking and creative workflows.
M3 (2024)
Built on the 3nm process, the M3 delivers faster performance while consuming less power. It offers up to 60% faster graphics rendering compared to M1 and supports hardware-accelerated ray tracing — great for 3D work and heavy video editing.
M4 (2025)
The M4 chip, with a 10-core CPU and 8-core GPU, is Apple’s most energy-efficient yet powerful chip in the Air series. Early benchmarks show up to 25% higher performance than M3 in sustained workloads, while maintaining impressive battery life.
It’s ideal for coding, Blender rendering, Final Cut Pro, Logic Pro, and 4K editing without heating or throttling.
Verdict:
- For basic users — M1 remains unbeatable for the price.
- For power users and professionals — M4 is the ultimate choice.
3. Battery Life and Efficiency
All MacBook Air models are champions of battery life, but efficiency has improved with each generation.
Model | Claimed Battery Life | Real-World Usage |
---|---|---|
M1 | 18 hours | 15–17 hours |
M2 | 18 hours | 14–16 hours |
M3 | 18 hours | 15–17 hours |
M4 | 20 hours | 17–19 hours |
The M4 chip’s 3nm+ process allows more performance per watt, meaning you can edit 4K videos for hours without a charger — a feat few Windows laptops achieve in this weight class.
4. Display and Audio Experience
From M2 onwards, the MacBook Air features a 13.6-inch Liquid Retina Display with thinner bezels, better color accuracy, and 500 nits brightness — perfect for outdoor or studio use.
The M1’s display, though slightly smaller at 13.3 inches, still offers excellent sharpness and color reproduction with True Tone technology.
Sound quality has also improved:
- M1 Air: Stereo speakers
- M2/M3/M4 Air: Four-speaker setup with Spatial Audio and Dolby Atmos support
Verdict: Display and sound quality improvements make the M4 more immersive, especially for entertainment or creative professionals.
5. Ports and Connectivity
Apple addressed a long-standing complaint by reintroducing MagSafe charging from the M2 model onward. This frees up both USB-C ports for accessories.
All models support Wi-Fi 6 (and Wi-Fi 6E in M4) and Bluetooth 5.3, ensuring faster and more stable connections.
Verdict: The M4 is the best for connectivity and modern workflows, but the M2 is nearly identical in this aspect.
6. Pricing and Value for Money (India 2025)
Model | Launch Price | Current Price (Approx.) | Savings (%) |
---|---|---|---|
MacBook Air M1 | ₹99,900 | ₹79,900 | 20% |
MacBook Air M2 | ₹1,19,900 | ₹99,900 | 17% |
MacBook Air M3 | ₹1,29,900 | ₹1,19,900 | 8% |
MacBook Air M4 | ₹99,900 | ₹85,990 | 14% |
Currently, the MacBook Air M1 and MacBook Air M4 offer the best deals in the Indian market.
👉 Affiliate Recommendation: The MacBook Air M4 (2025) is the top pick for those who want longevity, power, and portability combined — available here: MacBook Air M4 Starlight – ₹85,990 on Amazon.
7. Which MacBook Air Should You Buy?
User Type | Recommended Model | Why |
---|---|---|
Students / Office Users | M1 | Budget-friendly, still powerful, best battery |
Designers / Business Professionals | M2 | Modern design, MagSafe, better display |
Developers / Content Creators | M3 | Strong GPU, 3nm efficiency |
Power Users / Video Editors / Coders | M4 | Fastest, coolest, future-proof |
Final Verdict
If your budget allows, go straight for the MacBook Air M4 (2025) — it delivers unmatched efficiency, modern design, and future-ready performance while maintaining the Air’s signature thinness and portability.
However, if you’re on a tighter budget or your tasks are primarily light to moderate (MS Office, Netflix, browsing, etc.), the MacBook Air M1 remains an incredible deal even today.
Both are winners — the choice simply depends on your workload and budget.
Disclaimer
This article contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase through these links, the author may earn a small commission at no additional cost to you. These commissions support the website and help us create informative tech guides and product comparisons. All opinions and product recommendations are based on research, verified specifications, and genuine user feedback.