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Head to head · 2 laptops

MacBook Air (15-inch, M5) vs MacBook Pro (16-inch, M5 Pro or M5 Max)

Verified specs side by side. The green tick marks the better value on each measurable row.

Comparing 2 laptops
MacBook Air (15-inch, M5)
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MacBook Pro (16-inch, M5 Pro or M5 Max)
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The short verdict

MacBook Pro (16-inch, M5 Pro or M5 Max) is scored, the other is pending

We haven’t scored the MacBook Air (15-inch, M5) yet. Compare the measured differences and prices below.

MacBook Air (15-inch, M5)
—
MacBook Pro (16-inch, M5 Pro or M5 Max)
8.4
Choose the MacBook Air (15-inch, M5) if
  • Lighter in the hand (1,510 vs 2,140 g)
Full specs →
Choose the MacBook Pro (16-inch, M5 Pro or M5 Max) if
  • Video editors, 3D artists and AI developers who want Apple's biggest laptop.
Full specs →
At a glance

Key differences

Measured differences only. Ties and tiny gaps are left out.
Why pick theMacBook Air (15-inch, M5)1 win
−630 gLighter in the hand1,510 vs 2,140 g
Check priceNo store price yet
Why pick theMacBook Pro (16-inch, M5 Pro or M5 Max)3 wins
+100%Brighter screen outdoors1,000 vs 500 nits peak
+6%Larger screen16.2 vs 15.3 in
+50%More RAM for multitasking24 vs 16 GB
Check priceNo store price yet
Display7 differences
Screen size
15.3"
16.2"
Panel type
Liquid Retina display
Liquid Retina XDR display
Resolution
2880 x 1864
3456 x 2234
Refresh rate
—
120 Hz
Brightness
500
1000
Display brightness
500 nits brightness
1000 nits sustained full-screen, 1600 nits peak 3 (HDR content only)
Display type
Liquid Retina display
Liquid Retina XDR display
Performance3 differences
Chipset
Apple M5
Apple M5 Pro
CPU cores
10-core CPU with 4 super cores and 6 efficiency cores
18-core CPU with 6 super cores and 12 performance cores
Gpu cores
10-core GPU
20-core GPU
Memory2 differences
RAM
16 GB
24 GB
Storage
512GB, 1TB, 2TB, 4TB
1TB, 2TB, 4TB, 8TB
Graphics1 difference
GPU
10-core GPU
20-core GPU
Battery1 difference
Capacity
Up to 18 hours video streaming, Up to 15 hours wireless web
Up to 24 hours video streaming · Up to 17 hours wireless web · Up to 22 hours video streaming
Connectivity1 difference
Ports
Thunderbolt 4 (USB-C) ports with support for: · Thunderbolt 4 (up to 40Gb/s) · USB-C) ports with support for:
Thunderbolt 5 (USB-C) ports with support for: · Thunderbolt 5 (up to 120Gb/s) · USB-C) ports with support for:
Body2 differences
Dimensions
12 x 340 x 238 mm
17 x 356 x 248 mm
Weight
1510 g
2140 g
Battery & charging1 difference
Battery claims
Up to 18 hours video streaming, Up to 15 hours wireless web
Up to 24 hours video streaming · Up to 17 hours wireless web · Up to 22 hours video streaming
Design2 differences
Dimensions
height: 0.45 inch (1.15 cm) · width: 13.40 inches (34.04 cm) · depth: 9.35 inches (23.76 cm)
height: 0.66 inch (1.68 cm) · width: 14.01 inches (35.57 cm) · depth: 9.77 inches (24.81 cm)
Weights
3.3 pounds (1.51 kg) 6
4.7 pounds (2.14 kg) 6, 4.7 pounds (2.15 kg) 6
Where to buy

Specs verified against manufacturer data. Prices in USD before tax; we may earn a commission from qualifying purchases.

Community

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