Comparison · Laptops · Desk research
MacBook Air 13-inch (M5) vs MacBook Air (M2, 2022)
Quick Answer
MacBook Air 13-inch (M5, Support 126320) and MacBook Air (M2, 2022, Support 111867) share the 13.6-inch 2560×1664 Liquid Retina panel (500 nits), MagSafe 3, and Apple’s 18-hour video / 15-hour wireless-web claims. The hop is chip, memory floor, storage floor, radios, and camera. M5: 10-core CPU (4 super + 6 efficiency), 153 GB/s, 16GB unified (24/32 configurable), 512GB base SSD, 53.8 Wh, Wi-Fi 7 + N1, Bluetooth 6, 12MP Center Stage, two Thunderbolt 4, 2.7 lb / 1.23 kg. M2.
The verdict
MacBook Air 13-inch (M5) or MacBook Air (M2, 2022) — quote the two manufacturer sheets.
Why: Legacy ↔ current 13-inch Air. Both Support pages list a 13.6-inch Liquid Retina 2560×1664 panel at 224 ppi and 500 nits, MagSafe 3, and up to 18 hours video / 15 hours wireless web. MagSafe already arrived on M2 — do not write it as an M5 invention. M5 (Support 126320) is a 10-core CPU (4+6), 153 GB/s, 16GB / 512GB floors, 53.8 Wh, Wi-Fi 7 + N1, Bluetooth 6, 12MP Center Stage. M2 (Support 111867, year 2022) is an 8-core CPU (4+4), 100 GB/s, 8GB or 16GB unified, 256GB base SSD, 52.6 Wh, Wi-Fi 6, Bluetooth 5.3, 1080p FaceTime HD.
Buy MacBook Air 13-inch (M5) if
You want the current 13-inch Air: 16GB unified starting point, 512GB base SSD, Wi-Fi 7 + N1, and 12MP Center Stage.
Buy MacBook Air (M2, 2022) if
You already own a 13-inch M2 Air — MagSafe and the 13.6-inch 500-nit panel are already there — and a dated ticket beats current floors.
Spec comparison
Caption lock: 13-inch vs 13-inch. M5 from Support 126320. M2 from Support 111867.
| Spec | 13-inch Air (M5) | Air (M2, 2022) |
|---|---|---|
| Year introduced | 2026 | 2022 |
| Display | 13.6-inch Liquid Retina 2560×1664; 224 ppi; 500 nits | 13.6-inch Liquid Retina 2560×1664; 224 ppi; 500 nits |
| Chip | M5 10-core CPU (4+6); 8- or 10-core GPU; 16-core NE; 153 GB/s | M2 8-core CPU (4+4); 8- or 10-core GPU; 16-core NE; 100 GB/s |
| Memory floor | 16GB unified (24/32 configurable) | 8GB (16/24 configurable) and 16GB (24 configurable) — both listed |
| SSD floor | 512GB | 256GB (512GB / 1TB / 2TB configurable) |
| Battery pack | 53.8 Wh | 52.6 Wh |
| Battery (OEM hours) | Up to 18h video / 15h wireless web | Up to 18h Apple TV movie / 15h wireless web |
| Ports | MagSafe 3; two Thunderbolt 4; 3.5 mm | MagSafe 3; two Thunderbolt / USB 4; 3.5 mm |
| Wireless | Wi-Fi 7 + N1; Bluetooth 6; Thread | Wi-Fi 6; Bluetooth 5.3 |
| Camera | 12MP Center Stage | 1080p FaceTime HD |
| Size / weight | 0.44 × 11.97 × 8.46 in; 2.7 lb / 1.23 kg | 0.44 × 11.97 × 8.46 in class; 2.7 lb |
MagSafe is already on M2
Do not write “finally MagSafe” on this pair. That sentence belongs on /laptops/macbook-air-m2-vs-macbook-air-m1/.
Frequently asked questions
Did MagSafe arrive on M5?
No. Support 111867 already lists a MagSafe 3 charging port on the 2022 M2 Air. MagSafe is the M2-vs-M1 story, not this pair.
Did the display change?
Not on the numbered rows. Both 13-inch Support pages list 13.6-inch Liquid Retina, 2560-by-1664 at 224 ppi, and 500 nits.
Does every M2 Air have 16GB?
No. Support 111867 lists both 8GB unified (configurable 16/24) and 16GB unified (configurable 24). M5 Support lists a 16GB floor.