If you’re sitting there with a credit card in hand wondering when the next thin-and-light laptop from Apple is actually going to drop, I’ve got some news. It’s both predictable and a little bit surprising. Apple just refreshed the MacBook Air with the M4 chip in March 2025—which, by the way, finally killed off the 8GB RAM base model—so we are currently in the middle of a release cycle.
But if you’re asking when does MacBook Air come out because you’re looking for the next one, the M5 version, you’re looking at a Spring 2026 release.
That’s the short answer. The long answer is that Apple is currently prepping a massive 2026 for the Mac, and the MacBook Air is essentially the "main character" of that story.
The M5 MacBook Air: Mark Your Calendars for Spring 2026
Basically, Apple has settled into a very specific rhythm for the Air. Unlike the MacBook Pro, which tends to hog the spotlight in October or November, the Air likes the sunshine of March.
Rumors from supply chain insiders like Mark Gurman and reports from Macworld suggest that the M5 MacBook Air is scheduled for a Spring 2026 release. This follows the exact pattern of the M3 (March 2024) and the M4 (March 2025).
We are likely looking at an announcement in the first week of March, with laptops hitting the shelves about ten days later.
Why the wait?
It’s not just about tradition. Apple’s silicon production at TSMC follows a strict schedule. The M5 chip is expected to debut first in the iPad Pro or the high-end MacBook Pros late in 2025, and then trickle down to the fanless MacBook Air once they’ve polished the power efficiency.
Honestly, if you buy an M4 model today, you aren't "missing out" on much yet. The M5 is expected to be a performance bump, particularly for the Neural Engine to handle "Apple Intelligence" and the new Google Gemini-powered Siri integration, but the chassis isn't changing.
The Wildcard: A $699 MacBook Air?
There is a massive rumor floating around that could change how we think about the "entry-level" Mac. Analysts like Jeff Pu have been hinting that Apple might launch a "budget" MacBook in early 2026.
Whether they call it a MacBook Air or just "MacBook," it’s aimed squarely at the education market. Imagine a 12-inch or 13-inch machine that starts at $699. That would be a huge shift from the current $999 starting price for the M4 Air.
If this happens, it’ll likely launch alongside the M5 Air in the first half of 2026. It's a gamble for Apple, but they need to fight back against high-end Chromebooks and the new wave of Windows Copilot+ PCs.
What to Expect in the 2026 Refresh
Don't expect a redesign. Apple is still very happy with the flat, squared-off look they introduced in 2022. It’s sleek. It works.
The M5 Chip
The "brain" is the big story here. We’re expecting:
- A 10-core CPU as the standard.
- A significant jump in GPU performance (rumored to be 30% faster than M4).
- A focus on "Edge AI," meaning the laptop can run massive language models locally without needing the cloud.
Display and RAM
Apple finally moved to 16GB of RAM as the minimum in late 2024, and that’s staying. Thank goodness. 256GB of storage is still likely the base, which is annoying, but it's how they keep the price at that $999/1,099 sweet spot.
There’s been talk of OLED, but let’s be real: that’s a MacBook Pro feature first. You probably won't see an OLED MacBook Air until 2027 at the earliest. For 2026, we’re sticking with the (admittedly very nice) Liquid Retina panels.
Current MacBook Air Availability
If you can't wait until 2026, here is the current state of play as of January 2026:
- MacBook Air M4 (13-inch & 15-inch): Released March 2025. This is the flagship. It introduced the "Sky Blue" color and has a 12MP Center Stage camera.
- MacBook Air M3: Still sold as the "budget" option, often found for $799 or $899 at third-party retailers.
- MacBook Air M2: Mostly discontinued, though you can find refurbished units for a steal.
Is it worth waiting for the 2026 model?
Look, if you have a laptop that’s literally falling apart, don't wait. The M4 Air is a beast. It handles 4K video editing, has 18 hours of battery, and the new Sky Blue finish is gorgeous.
However, if you are currently on an M2 or M3 and just want the "next big thing," wait for the M5 in March 2026. The leap in AI capabilities—specifically how the Mac handles the new Gemini-Siri hybrid—is going to be the main selling point of the 2026 lineup.
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Next Steps for You:
If you're looking to buy right now, check the latest prices on the M4 Air at Amazon or Best Buy; they've been hitting record lows of around $799 lately. If you’re holding out for the M5, keep an eye out for "Product Launch" invites from Apple around late February 2026.