M5 MacBook Air vs M1 MacBook Air: Is the Upgrade Worth It in 2026?
Apple has done it again. The newly released M5 MacBook Air is turning heads across the tech world — and for good reason. Recent benchmarks confirm the M5 chip delivers a staggering 229.96% SSD performance increase over the M4 MacBook Air lineup, making it one of the most significant storage speed jumps Apple has ever shipped in a consumer laptop. But if you're still rocking the legendary M1 MacBook Air from 2020, you might be wondering: is it finally time to upgrade?
Spoiler: the gap between the M1 and M5 is enormous — but whether it matters for you depends entirely on how you use your machine. Let's break it all down.
Photo by Andrey Matveev on Pexels | Source
Performance: The Numbers Don't Lie
The M1 MacBook Air was a revolution when it launched. Apple's first custom silicon for Mac delivered desktop-class performance in a fanless, ultra-thin chassis. In 2020, it blew away Intel-based competition. But five chip generations later, the M5 is in a completely different league.
Here's what we know about the raw performance comparison:
- CPU performance: The M5 chip features next-generation CPU cores that deliver significantly faster single-core and multi-core performance than the M1. Independent benchmarks consistently show the M5 pulling 60–80% ahead in multi-core tasks.
- GPU performance: The M5's GPU architecture is dramatically more capable, making it a genuine option for light-to-medium creative work, gaming, and GPU-accelerated AI tasks that would stutter on an M1.
- SSD speeds: This is the headline stat. The M5 MacBook Air's SSD speeds have been benchmarked at nearly 230% faster than M4 models — and the M1's SSD is significantly slower than the M4's was. Real-world file transfers, app launches, and boot times on the M5 feel instantaneous by comparison.
- Neural Engine: The M5 Neural Engine runs on-device AI tasks — like real-time transcription, image processing, and Apple Intelligence features — at a pace the M1 simply cannot match.
For everyday tasks like browsing, email, and video calls? Honestly, both machines still feel fluid. But the moment you push either beyond the basics, the M5 pulls away decisively.
Design: What's Actually Changed?
The M1 MacBook Air carried Apple's iconic wedge design — thinner at the front, slightly thicker at the back. It was charming and recognizable. The M5 MacBook Air continues with the refined flat-edge design introduced with the M2 generation, featuring a more uniform profile, a larger 13.6-inch Liquid Retina display, and the MagSafe charging port that M1 users gave up (M1 shipped with USB-C only charging).
Key design differences at a glance:
| Feature | M1 MacBook Air | M5 MacBook Air |
|---|---|---|
| Design | Wedge shape | Flat-edge |
| Display | 13.3" IPS Retina | 13.6" Liquid Retina |
| Notch | No | Yes (houses 1080p webcam) |
| MagSafe | No | Yes |
| Webcam | 720p | 12MP Center Stage |
| Colors | Silver, Gold, Space Gray | Midnight, Starlight, Sky Blue, Stardust |
| Headphone jack | 3.5mm | 3.5mm (with high-impedance support) |
The 12MP Center Stage webcam alone is a meaningful upgrade for anyone doing regular video calls. M1's 720p camera was always its weakest point.
Photo by www.kaboompics.com on Pexels | Source
Battery Life: Does M5 Keep Up?
One of the M1 MacBook Air's greatest strengths was its battery life. Apple promised up to 18 hours, and real-world usage typically landed between 12–16 hours depending on workload. For a fanless, thin laptop, that was exceptional.
The good news: Apple claims up to 18 hours of battery life for the M5 MacBook Air as well. Efficiency gains in the M5 architecture help offset the power demands of faster performance. Early user reports suggest the M5 Air easily matches the M1 in everyday battery life — and in some lighter tasks, slightly edges it out thanks to better power gating.
If battery anxiety is why you haven't upgraded, it shouldn't be a deciding factor either way.
Memory and Storage Configuration
Here's where the gap widens practically. The M1 MacBook Air launched with a base of 8GB unified memory and 256GB SSD storage — configurations that are increasingly showing their age in 2026, particularly as apps grow heavier and macOS becomes more memory-hungry.
The M5 MacBook Air starts at 16GB unified memory — double the M1 base — and Apple has confirmed this is the new floor for the Air lineup. With macOS and Apple Intelligence features consuming more RAM at idle, 16GB is now the meaningful baseline. M5 configurations also scale up to 32GB and 512GB/1TB/2TB SSD options.
If you bought an M1 MacBook Air with 8GB RAM, there's a good chance you've noticed slowdowns when multitasking or running memory-intensive apps. The M5's default 16GB resolves this immediately.
Who Should Upgrade — And Who Should Wait?
Let's be practical. Here's a clear-cut breakdown:
Upgrade from M1 to M5 if you:
- Work with video editing, photo editing, or creative software regularly
- Run multiple apps simultaneously and feel the 8GB RAM pinch
- Do any kind of AI-powered work or use Apple Intelligence features
- Need faster file transfers, faster compile times, or faster render exports
- Want a better webcam for professional video calls
- Are buying new and the M1 refurbished deal isn't dramatically cheaper
Stick with your M1 if you:
- Primarily use your Mac for browsing, email, documents, and streaming
- Bought your M1 Air in the last 2 years and it still feels fast
- Are budget-constrained (M1 refurbs are still a great value buy)
- Use macOS features that don't require Apple Intelligence or heavy compute
The M1 MacBook Air is not a bad machine in 2026. It's a great machine for light users. But for anyone doing serious work, the M5's storage speeds, memory capacity, and CPU/GPU performance make it a generational upgrade worth every dollar.
Photo by Ilya Klimenko on Pexels | Source
Price: What's the Real Cost of Upgrading?
Apple has maintained aggressive pricing for the MacBook Air lineup. The M5 MacBook Air starts at $1,099 for the 13-inch model with 16GB RAM and 256GB SSD. That's the same entry price as the M2 Air at launch — a sign that Apple is holding the line competitively.
Meanwhile, M1 MacBook Air refurbished units on Apple's official refurbished store and third-party retailers regularly appear for $650–$800, making them still an appealing entry point for students or budget-focused buyers.
If you're upgrading from an M1, your trade-in value through Apple or third-party services like Swappa or Back Market will typically net you $300–$450 depending on condition and configuration — bringing the real out-of-pocket cost of moving to an M5 Air closer to $650–$800. That's a reasonable ask for a five-generation performance leap.
Final Verdict
The M5 MacBook Air is the best laptop Apple has ever made at this price point — full stop. The 229% SSD performance improvement, doubled base RAM, upgraded webcam, and improved display make it a compelling upgrade over every previous Air generation, including the M1.
But the M1 MacBook Air remains a solid, capable machine for everyday tasks. If you bought it recently, there's no urgency. If you've been using it for 3+ years and feel the friction, the M5 is the upgrade you've been waiting for.
The bottom line: if your M1 is holding you back, the M5 MacBook Air is the answer. If it's still serving you well, enjoy it — Apple Silicon ages gracefully.
FAQ
Is the M5 MacBook Air worth upgrading from M1? For power users and professionals, absolutely. The M5 delivers dramatically faster SSD speeds, doubled base RAM (16GB vs 8GB), and significantly improved CPU and GPU performance. Light users may not notice the difference in day-to-day tasks.
How much faster is the M5 MacBook Air SSD compared to M1? Benchmarks show the M5 MacBook Air SSD is approximately 229% faster than the M4 Air's SSD, which was itself faster than the M1. In practical terms, file transfers, app launches, and boot times are noticeably quicker.
What is the price of the M5 MacBook Air in 2026? The M5 MacBook Air starts at $1,099 for the 13-inch model with 16GB RAM and 256GB SSD. Higher configurations with more storage and memory are available at additional cost.
Can an M1 MacBook Air still run the latest macOS in 2026? Yes, Apple continues to support the M1 MacBook Air with the latest macOS updates as of 2026. However, some Apple Intelligence features require newer chips and may not be available on M1 models.
Should I buy a refurbished M1 MacBook Air or a new M5 MacBook Air? If budget is a priority, a refurbished M1 Air from Apple's official store is still excellent for light use. If you plan to keep your laptop for 4–5 years and do any demanding work, the M5 is the better long-term investment.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the M5 MacBook Air worth upgrading from M1?
For power users and professionals, absolutely. The M5 delivers dramatically faster SSD speeds, doubled base RAM (16GB vs 8GB), and significantly improved CPU and GPU performance. Light users may not notice the difference in day-to-day tasks.
How much faster is the M5 MacBook Air SSD compared to M1?
Benchmarks show the M5 MacBook Air SSD is approximately 229% faster than the M4 Air's SSD, which was itself faster than the M1. In practical terms, file transfers, app launches, and boot times are noticeably quicker on the M5.
What is the price of the M5 MacBook Air in 2026?
The M5 MacBook Air starts at $1,099 for the 13-inch model with 16GB RAM and 256GB SSD. Higher configurations with more memory and storage are available at additional cost from Apple.
Can an M1 MacBook Air still run the latest macOS in 2026?
Yes, Apple continues to support the M1 MacBook Air with the latest macOS updates as of 2026. However, some Apple Intelligence features require newer chips and may not be fully available on M1 models.
Should I buy a refurbished M1 MacBook Air or a new M5 MacBook Air?
If budget is a priority, a refurbished M1 Air from Apple's official store is still excellent for light use. If you plan to keep your laptop for 4–5 years and do any demanding work, the M5 is the better long-term investment.
