Apple’s most popular laptop, the MacBook Air, is due for an upgrade soon—potentially marking the first Apple launch event of 2025. Here are four exciting features expected in the upcoming M4 MacBook Air.
Enhanced Battery Life
The M4 chip from Apple has consistently demonstrated that its enhanced efficiency translates into tangible battery life improvements.
For instance, the M4 MacBook Pro saw a two-hour increase in battery life compared to the M3 model. Similarly, the initial M4 device—the iPad Pro—managed to deliver equivalent battery life as its predecessor, despite a significantly thinner design with less space for batteries.
Since the M4 MacBook Air isn’t undergoing a redesign, all the energy efficiency gains from the chip are likely to enhance its battery performance.
Standard 16GB RAM, Upgradeable to 32GB
In an unexpected move with its initial M4 Macs, Apple has standardized all of them with 16GB of RAM. Even more surprisingly, the company has also upgraded the base RAM for the M2 and M3 MacBook Air models to 16GB as well—a notable shift in Apple’s approach.
The M4 MacBook Air will maintain this standard of 16GB of base RAM while also introducing a maximum RAM capacity of 32GB, a new feature for the MacBook Air.
This 32GB ceiling is already available with Apple’s M4 MacBook Pro and will likely be mirrored in the MacBook Air, marking a 33% increase from the current maximum of 24GB supported in earlier models.
Enhanced External Display Support
Apple has typically distinguished between the MacBook Air and MacBook Pro by the number of external displays each can support.
Previously, the MacBook Air was limited to a single external display, pushing some users toward the MacBook Pro even if they did not require its other features.
However, last year’s M3 MacBook Air allowed for two external displays, but only with the lid closed. With the M4 MacBook Air, users should finally get the ability to utilize two external displays concurrently while still using the built-in display.
For more details on the expected external display capabilities of the M4 MacBook Air, refer to the display specifications for the M4 MacBook Pro.
12MP Center Stage Camera
While laptop cameras have not been Apple’s highlight, the company introduced an advanced 12MP Center Stage camera with the M4 MacBook Pro—and also with the M4 iMac—so it’s anticipated that this feature will make its way to the MacBook Air too.
Center Stage can keep track of your movements during video calls, offering greater flexibility. Additionally, it features Desk View, allowing users to stream both their face and their desk surface simultaneously.
Bonus: Nano-Texture Display Option Expected
As an additional bonus feature likely headed to the MacBook Air, there’s a possibility of a nano-texture display option.
Originally launched in 2019 with the Pro Display XDR, nano-texture displays are beginning to gain more traction. In the past year, the M4 iPad Pro, MacBook Pro, and iMac have also included a nano-texture option. Expect to see similar offerings in the MacBook Air.
Summary of M4 MacBook Air Features
Even without a redesign, the upcoming M4 MacBook Air is set to introduce significant new features, making it a commendable successor to last year’s M3 model. Moreover, the enhancements brought by the M4 processor itself will deliver improvements in CPU, GPU, and Neural Engine performance.
Which features of the M4 MacBook Air are you most looking forward to? Share your thoughts in the comments!
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