MacRumors


Apple today released iOS 26.3 and iPadOS 26.3, the latest updates to the iOS 26 and iPadOS 26 operating systems that came out in September. The new software comes almost two months after Apple released iOS 26.2 and iPadOS 26.2.

iOS 26
The new software can be downloaded on eligible iPhones and iPads over-the-air by going to Settings > General > Software Update.

According to Apple's release notes, iOS 26.3 and iPadOS 26.3 include unspecified bug fixes and security updates, but there are a couple features that Apple didn't highlight.

The updates add a tool for transitioning from an Apple device to an Android device. Transfers are able to be started during the device setup process, and moving data from one device to another can be done without having to download apps from Apple and Google.

The transfer process supports moving photos, messages, notes, apps, passwords, phone numbers, and more, and it's not too surprising that Apple isn't advertising it. Data transfers were already possible, though not quite as simple, and Apple likely doesn't want to encourage users to move to a different platform.

In December, the European Union took credit for the new transfer tool, touting it as an example of how the Digital Markets Act (DMA) benefits users and developers. Google and Apple apparently implemented the feature because the DMA requires services to offer interoperability to prevent customers from being locked in to an operating system. The two companies opted to add the functionality worldwide rather than just in the EU.

iOS 26.3 includes a setting to limit carrier location tracking, though it is limited to a few select carriers worldwide. In the United States, only Boost Mobile is supporting the feature as of now. EE and BT in the UK offer it, as does Telekom in Germany and AIS and True in Thailand. It is a feature available only for devices with C1 or C1X modems.

In the iOS 26.3 beta, Apple added other Europe-only changes for third-party wearables, which were shared by the European Commission. Devices like headphones and smartwatches will be able to use some of the same functionality available to the AirPods and the Apple Watch going forward.

Proximity pairing will allow third-party devices to pair with an iOS device in an AirPods-like one-tap way by bringing an accessory close to an iPhone or an iPad. Third-party accessories like smart watches will be able to receive richer notifications from the ‌iPhone‌, which are able to be viewed and interacted with. Apple is allowing notifications to be forwarded to a single connected device, so turning on notifications for a third-party watch disables notifications on the Apple Watch.

While these features have been tested in iOS 26.3, they may have been removed for the release version of the software and could come in a future update.

Most of the beta testing period focused on bug fixes and these EU-specific features, so there isn't a lot that's new in iOS 26.3 and iPadOS 26.3. We are expecting a lot more to be added in iOS 26.4, and the first beta of iOS 26.4 could come this month.

Related Roundups: iOS 26, iPadOS 26
Related Forum: iOS 26

Apple today released macOS Tahoe 26.3, the third major update to the ‌macOS Tahoe‌ operating system. ‌macOS Tahoe‌ 26.3 comes two months after Apple released macOS Tahoe 26.2.

macOS Tahoe 26 Thumb 2
Mac users can download the new software by opening up the System Settings app and navigating to the Software Update section.

According to Apple's release notes, ‌macOS Tahoe‌ 26.3 focuses on bug fixes and security updates rather than new features, so it is a smaller update than some of the other releases we've had.

In the next couple of weeks, Apple will begin testing ‌macOS Tahoe‌ 26.4, an update that is expected to be much more feature packed. ‌macOS Tahoe‌ 26.4 could include new Siri functionality and new emoji, among other features.

Related Roundup: macOS Tahoe
Related Forum: macOS Tahoe

Apple today released tvOS 26.3, the third update to the tvOS operating system that came out last fall. tvOS 26.3 is available for the Apple TV 4K and the ‌Apple TV‌ HD, and it comes two months after Apple released tvOS 26.2.

tvOS 26 Feature

tvOS 26.3 can be downloaded using the Settings app on the ‌‌‌Apple TV‌‌‌. Open up Settings and go to System > Software Update to get the new software. ‌‌‌Apple TV‌‌‌ owners who have automatic software updates activated will be upgraded to tvOS 26.3 automatically.

The tvOS 26.3 update includes bug fixes and security improvements, with full release notes for tvOS available through Apple's tvOS support document.

Related Roundup: Apple TV
Buyer's Guide: Apple TV (Don't Buy)

Apple today released watchOS 26.3, an update to the watchOS 26 operating system that came out in September. watchOS 26.3 comes two months after Apple released watchOS 26.2.

watchos 26 gradient light
watchOS 26.3 can be downloaded for free on an iPhone running iOS 26.3 by opening up the Apple Watch app and going to General > Software Update, or initiating an update in the Settings app on the watch. To install the new software, the Apple Watch needs to have at least 50 percent battery and it needs to be placed on a charger.

According to Apple's release notes, watchOS 26.3 includes unspecified bug fixes and security updates, and there were no new outward-facing features discovered during the beta testing process.

Related Roundup: watchOS 26
Related Forum: Apple Watch

Alongside iOS 26.3, iPadOS 26.3, and macOS Tahoe 26.3, Apple has released new HomePod 26.3 software for the ‌HomePod‌ and the HomePod mini. The update comes two months after Apple released ‌HomePod‌ Software 26.2.

HomePod 2 and Mini feature 1
According to Apple's release notes, ‌HomePod‌ Software 26.3 includes performance and stability improvements.

‌‌HomePod‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌ software is installed automatically on the ‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌HomePod‌‌‌‌ unless the feature is disabled‌‌‌‌, but the ‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌HomePod‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌ can also be manually updated in the Home app on iPhone, iPad, or Mac by tapping on the More button, choosing Home Settings, and then selecting the Software Update option.

Related Roundups: HomePod, HomePod mini

Apple today released visionOS 26.3, the third update to the visionOS 26 operating system that launched in September. visionOS 26.3 comes a month after Apple released visionOS 26.2.

visionOS 26 Feature
‌visionOS 26‌.3 can be downloaded on all Vision Pro headsets by navigating to the Settings app, selecting the General section, and choosing the Software Update option. To install an update, the Vision Pro headset needs to be removed, and there is a software progress bar available on the exterior EyeSight display.

Apple's release notes say that visionOS 26.3 includes bug fixes and security improvements, and that the software is recommended for all Vision Pro users.

Related Roundup: Apple Vision Pro
Buyer's Guide: Vision Pro (Buy Now)
Related Forum: Apple Vision Pro

Noise-canceling headphones are great for blocking out distractions, but they can also block out sounds you actually need to hear, like a courier at the front door with your all-important package. Well, thanks to an Apple accessibility feature, your iPhone can do the listening for you and alert you when your doorbell rings.

Never Miss Your Doorbell While Wearing Headphones on iPhone Feature
Meet Sound Recognition, the feature in question that uses your iPhone's microphone to continuously monitor for specific sounds. When it detects one, you'll receive a notification that plays through your connected headphones, along with a vibration on your iPhone (or Apple Watch if you're wearing one).

The feature is primarily designed for people who are deaf or hard of hearing, but it's equally useful for anyone who works from home and regularly wears AirPods or noise-canceling headphones.

How to Enable Doorbell Alerts

  1. Open Settings on your iPhone.
  2. Tap Accessibility.
  3. Under "Hearing," tap Sound & Name Recognition, then tap through to Sound Recognition.
    doorbell sound recognition2 1

  4. Toggle on Sound Recognition, then tap Sounds.
  5. Under "Household," tap Door Bell and toggle it on in the next screen. You'll also see the option to choose a specific alert tone.
    settings

Note that your iPhone may need to download a small file (around 30MB) before the feature becomes active, so a Wi-Fi or data connection could be needed.

Training Your iPhone to Recognize Your Doorbell

If your iPhone doesn't reliably detect your specific doorbell, you can train it to recognize the sound by following these steps:

  1. Go to SettingsAccessibilitySound & Name RecognitionSound RecognitionSounds.
  2. Tap Custom Appliance or Doorbell, then enter a name.
  3. Place your iPhone near the doorbell and tap Start Listening.
  4. Ring your doorbell. Repeat this five times to complete the training.

Quick Access via Control Center

Once Sound Recognition is enabled, iOS automatically adds a toggle to Control Center. From here, you can press and hold the Sound Recognition icon to quickly enable or disable specific sounds without diving into Settings, which is handy if you only want doorbell detection when you're at home wearing headphones.

control center
Sound Recognition can also detect smoke alarms, dog barking, babies crying, water running, and more. Just keep in mind that Apple advises against relying on this feature in high-risk or emergency situations.

Samsung has introduced a few big discounts on its monitors, TVs, and more this week on Amazon, including the return of the all-time low price on the newest Smart Monitor. You can get the 32-inch Smart Monitor M9 for $1,299.99 on Amazon, down from $1,599.99.

samsung smart monitor m9 blue darkNote: MacRumors is an affiliate partner with Amazon. When you click a link and make a purchase, we may receive a small payment, which helps us keep the site running.

This model of the Smart Monitor launched last summer, and today's sale is a match of the best price we've ever tracked, which is typically at Samsung.com. Today is one of the few times we've seen this low price on Amazon, and it has an estimated delivery date between February 14 and February 16.

In addition to the Smart Monitor M9 sale, Amazon is offering extra savings if you purchase multiple select Samsung products this week. Purchasing two products from this landing page will get you an additional $100 off, three will get you $300 off, four will get you $400 off, and five will get you $500 off your total.

This list includes monitors, TVs, soundbars, and even cordless vacuums. We've gathered a few of the highlights in this sale below, but be sure to check out the full list on Amazon before the sale ends. Shoppers should note that Amazon has discounts on many of these products without the need of the bundle offers, but if you're interested in more than one you can get some extra savings by clicking the on-page coupons.

If you're on the hunt for more discounts, be sure to visit our Apple Deals roundup where we recap the best Apple-related bargains of the past week.


Deals Newsletter

Interested in hearing more about the best deals you can find in 2026? Sign up for our Deals Newsletter and we'll keep you updated so you don't miss the biggest deals of the season!

Related Roundup: Apple Deals

Apple just introduced its second-generation AirTag, but one rumored feature failed to arrive with the new accessory.

Second Generation AirTag Feature Purple
The second-generation ‌AirTag‌ features 50% farther Precision Finding, upgraded Bluetooth with increased range, a 50% louder speaker, and more.

Back in August 2023, Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo reported that the second-generation ‌AirTag‌ would have better integration with Apple's upcoming Vision Pro headset, as part of its spatial computing ecosystem.

He did not provide any additional details at the time, but the functionality was a key part of the rumor cycle around the accessory leading up to its launch. The final, released product has no such feature, but it is possible that Apple could still add deeper ‌AirTag‌ integration with the Vision Pro via visionOS 27.

It is also worth noting that Kuo said another product will have similar Vision Pro integration. Last year, he explained that the next-generation AirPods Pro will feature a "more significant" hardware upgrade in the form of infrared cameras. They are are expected to integrate with Apple's Vision Pro headset to provide enhanced enhanced spatial experiences:

The new AirPods is expected to be used with Vision Pro and future Apple headsets to enhance the user experience of spatial audio and strengthen the spatial computing ecosystem. For example, when a user is watching a video with Vision Pro and wearing this new AirPods, if users turn their heads to look in a specific direction, the sound source in that direction can be emphasized to enhance the spatial audio/computing experience.

While the rumor about infrared cameras is now widely corroborated, the Vision Pro integration is more uncertain. With the second-generation ‌AirTag‌'s rumored Vision Pro integration missing, the AirPods Pro's similar feature may now be in question, not least because Apple now appears to be deprioritizing the Vision Pro with no new headsets in active development.

Related Roundups: AirPods Pro 3, AirTag
Buyer's Guide: AirPods Pro (Buy Now)
Related Forum: AirPods

Amazon this week is taking $50 off Wi-Fi models of Apple's 11th generation iPad. Prices start at $299.00 for the 128GB Wi-Fi iPad, down from $349.00, which is a solid second-best price on this model.

ipad prime day 2025Note: MacRumors is an affiliate partner with Amazon. When you click a link and make a purchase, we may receive a small payment, which helps us keep the site running.

Additionally, Amazon has the 256GB Wi-Fi iPad for $399.00 ($50 off) and the 512GB Wi-Fi iPad for $599.00 ($50 off). Free delivery estimates are placed around February 16 for most of these iPad models, but Prime members should be able to get same-day delivery in many locations.



We saw a few of these iPad model around $20 cheaper over the holiday season last year, but those all-time low prices never reappeared. As of now, Amazon's discounts are the best prices we've tracked so far in 2026. If you're on the hunt for more discounts, be sure to visit our Apple Deals roundup where we recap the best Apple-related bargains of the past week.


Deals Newsletter

Interested in hearing more about the best deals you can find in 2026? Sign up for our Deals Newsletter and we'll keep you updated so you don't miss the biggest deals of the season!

Related Roundup: Apple Deals

On an earnings call on Tuesday, Japanese company Sharp announced that the planned sale of one of its LCD display factories to its majority owner Foxconn has fell through, according to Nikkei Asia. As a result, the report said Sharp plans to halt production at the facility in August, and this decision may temporarily impact Apple.

Apple MacBook Pro M4 hero
If production ceases at Sharp's so-called "K2" factory in Kameyama, Japan, Taiwanese research firm TrendForce said that short-term supply of oxide LCD display panels for some MacBook and iPad models "could face disruption."

Apple is known for having excellent supply chain management, so any potential impact on MacBook and iPad shipping estimates might be limited. TrendForce estimated that Apple's current orders only make up about 16% to 17% of the factory's overall utilization, and Apple still has around six months to prepare.

Sharp has decided to wind down the factory amid increased competition.

"The plant's competitive edge once stemmed from its industry-leading oxide backplane technology, serving as a benchmark for Apple's MacBook and iPad panels," said TrendForce. "However, increasing investments from Korean and Chinese panel makers in oxide capacity steadily eroded Sharp's technological advantage."

Foxconn had initially planned to continue LCD panel production at the factory, and add new production lines to build AI servers, according to Nikkei Asia. However, the report said Foxconn backed away due to "weak LCD prices."

Regardless, Apple is in the process of upgrading its products with OLED displays. All of the latest iPhone models are equipped with OLED displays, and the past two generations of iPad Pro models are too. Over the next one to two years, the iPad mini, iPad Air, MacBook Pro, MacBook Air, and iMac are expected to receive OLED displays too.

Satechi recently kicked off a new sale that has essential accessories at 20 percent off for a limited time. To get this discount, enter the code ESSENTIALS20 at checkout on the accessories found in Satechi's "Essentials Tech Upgrade" collection.

satechi february saleNote: MacRumors is an affiliate partner with Satechi. When you click a link and make a purchase, we may receive a small payment, which helps us keep the site running.

This sale includes products like Qi2 wireless chargers, Bluetooth keyboards, USB-C hubs, Thunderbolt accessories, and more. Satechi provides free shipping on orders with a value that exceeds $20, so many of the products in this sale should automatically net you the free shipping bonus.

Note: Use code ESSENTIALS20 to see this discount.

Some highlights of the event include Satechi's FindAll Bluetooth tracker collection, like the FindAll Keychain for $24.00, down from $29.99, and FindAll Card for $28.00, down from $34.00. If you're shopping for an iPhone charging station, Satechi's 2-in-1 Foldable Qi2 Wireless Charging Stand is on sale for $64.00, down from $79.99.

Additionally, Satechi is hosting a "last chance" sale this week, with up to 30 percent off accessories with a limited supply remaining. In this sale you'll find discounts on MagSafe-compatible wireless charging pads, Thunderbolt docks, and more.

If you're on the hunt for more discounts, be sure to visit our Apple Deals roundup where we recap the best Apple-related bargains of the past week.


Deals Newsletter

Interested in hearing more about the best deals you can find in 2026? Sign up for our Deals Newsletter and we'll keep you updated so you don't miss the biggest deals of the season!

Related Roundup: Apple Deals

Apple acquired Canadian graph database company Kuzu last year, it has emerged.

Apple Logo Black
The acquisition, spotted by AppleInsider, was completed in October 2025 for an undisclosed sum. The company's website was subsequently taken down and its Github repository was archived, as is commonplace for Apple acquisitions.

Kuzu was "an embedded graph database built for query speed, scalability, and easy of use." It offered Kuzu Explorer, a browser-based database that displayed datapoints as linked nodes. Apple had to inform the European Union of the acquisition owing to its significance, but there are few other details around it.

Apple already owns FileMaker, a cross-platform relational database app, via a subsidiary. It is unclear what Apple plans to use Kuzu's technology for.

In 2022, Apple introduced a new Apple Home architecture that is "more reliable and efficient," and support for the old architecture has now ended.

iOS 26 Home Feature
As expected, the app is no longer working for some users.

Users who did not update the app by the February 10 deadline now see this message: "You're running an older version of Apple Home that is no longer supported. Update now to continue using the Home app with your Apple devices and other accessories."

"The members of your home will also need to update on their devices," the message adds.

Home App Unsupported Message Feature
Apple said users who do not upgrade may experience issues with accessories and automations, or lose access to their smart home in the app entirely. In addition, users who do not upgrade will miss out on newer features like robot vacuum cleaner support, and they will not receive important security fixes and performance improvements.

It is still possible to upgrade the app to restore functionality.

Apple explains how to upgrade the Home app on the iPhone, iPad, or Mac:

  • Open the Home app
  • Tap or click on the three dots in the upper-right and navigate to Home Settings
  • Tap or click on Software Update
  • Tap or click Update Now, then follow the prompts. All of the homes that you own are updated at the same time.

If you see "This home and all accessories are up to date," then you are on the current version of the app and no further action is required.

Notably, the newer Apple Home architecture requires a minimum of iOS 16.2, iPadOS 16.2, macOS 13.1, tvOS 16.2, and watchOS 9.2.

More details are available in an Apple support document.

OpenAI has updated its deep research feature in ChatGPT with a fullscreen document viewer that can be used to browse its AI-generated reports separately from the chat window.

openai chatgpt logo
The built-in tool includes a table of contents in a left-hand column that can be used to jump to specific parts of the document, while a right-hand column can still be expanded to show a list of citations.

The deep research mode has also picked up a couple of new options to help users focus research. From OpenAI's release notes:

We're introducing improvements to deep research in ChatGPT to help produce more accurate, credible reports with greater control. You can now focus research on specific websites and a larger collection of connected apps as trusted sources.

A redesigned sidebar entry point and fullscreen report view make it easier to start, review, and manage research in one place. Create and edit a research plan before it begins, and track progress with the ability to adjust direction mid-run.

Released last year, the deep research feature takes extra time to break a question into parts, then gathers and compares relevant information from the web, cross-checks claims, and synthesizes the findings into a better-supported, coherent answer.


Users can monitor ChatGPT's progress in real time and adjust the research scope, or add sources while a report is being generated. When the report is finished, it can be exported from the document viewer in multiple formats, including Markdown, Word, and PDF.

OpenAI says the new viewer tool is currently rolling out to Plus and Pro subscribers, with users on its ChatGPT Go tier and free users set to receive the update in the coming days.

Tag: ChatGPT

Nearly one in four active smartphones worldwide are now iPhones, according to new data from Counterpoint Research.

iPhone 17 Colors
The findings from Counterpoint's Smartphone Installed Base Tracker show that the global installed base of active smartphones grew 2% in 2025, driven primarily by lengthening replacement cycles and the continued circulation of second-life devices. Unlike shipment figures, which measure yearly sales, installed base data reflects the total number of devices currently in use, making it a key indicator of long-term platform choices.

Apple now leads the global active smartphone installed base with roughly one in four devices in use being an iPhone. The firm attributes this position to a combination of strong user loyalty, integrated services, and the broader Apple ecosystem.

The report also claims that Apple added more net new active smartphone devices in 2025 than the next seven leading smartphone manufacturers combined, reflecting the company's ability to attract and retain users even as global smartphone growth slows and hardware innovation becomes more incremental.

Samsung ranked second with approximately one-fifth of the global active smartphone installed base. Together, Apple and Samsung accounted for 44% of the global installed base in 2025.

The gap between Apple and Samsung as the two market leaders and the rest of the industry is widening. The two companies are the only smartphone manufacturers to surpass one billion active devices globally.

counterpoint 200m devices

Other brands, including Xiaomi, OPPO, and vivo, form a second tier with large but smaller installed bases built largely through midrange and upper-midrange devices. Notably, Transsion Group has grown its installed base through affordable devices targeted at price-sensitive markets in regions such as the Middle East, Africa, and Southeast Asia. HONOR is the most recent brand to surpass 200 million active devices, while Motorola and realme are approaching that milestone.

Apple's vast base of installed devices is attributed to a number of additional trends that favor premium smartphones. For example, device replacement cycles have extended to nearly four years as hardware improvements become more incremental and device durability improves. Premium devices typically receive longer software support, maintain higher resale value, and remain in active use longer, often through to second owners. Repeat purchases are also likely.

The report added that differentiation is increasingly shifting toward software and ecosystem integration as hardware innovation slows. Features such as on-device artificial intelligence, camera software, productivity tools, and cross-device integration are said to be key value drivers that help build long-term loyalty and increase usage. See Counterpoint Research's full report for more information.

Last November, Google announced a cross-platform feature that allows Google Pixel 10 and Apple device users to share files directly via Quick Share-AirDrop interoperability. Now, Google has confirmed that the feature is set to expand to Android phones more generally this year.

android iphone airdrop quickshare
"Last year, we launched AirDrop interoperability," said Eric Kay, vice president of engineering for the Android platform, speaking during a recent Pixel Labs tour at Google's Taipei office. "In 2026, we're going to be expanding it to a lot more devices."

"We spent a lot of time and energy to make sure that we could build something that was compatible not only with iPhone but iPads and Macs. Now that we've proven it out, we're working with our partners to expand it into the rest of the ecosystem, and you should see some exciting announcements coming very soon," he added.

The comments were reported by Android Authority's Adamya Sharma, who attended the press briefing.

The file sharing option currently works on Apple devices including ‌iPhone‌, iPad, and Mac, along with the Pixel 10, Pixel 10 Pro, Pixel 10 Pro XL, and Pixel 10 Fold.

Google has not said which specific devices are next in line to get the AirDrop interoperability via Quick Share, but Sharma notes that Kay's comments strongly suggest it will no longer be a Pixel-exclusive feature.

Technical aspects of Google's implementation also appear to signal its intent. Rather than tying AirDrop interoperability to a Pixel-only system component, Google enabled the feature by turning the Quick Share extension from a stub system app into a full APK distributed via the Play Store.

This change makes the feature easier to update and deploy across different manufacturers' devices, strongly indicating that AirDrop interoperability is intended to become a broader Android feature rather than remain limited to Pixel hardware.

Indeed, Nothing has already confirmed that it is working to bring the feature to its phones, while Qualcomm has recently hinted that it also has Quick Share–AirDrop interoperability support in development for Snapdragon-powered phones.

Google says the Quick Share-AirDrop interoperability uses a multi-layered security model, including an encrypted transfer channel, built-in platform protections on both Android and iOS, and an explicit consent step before any file is received.

Currently, the feature only works in the "Everyone for 10 Minutes" AirDrop and Quick Share sharing modes, but Google says that it would like to work with Apple to support "Contacts Only" mode in the future.

The MacBook Air is Apple's most popular laptop – a thin, fanless machine that wields quiet power thanks to the efficiency of Apple silicon. While the M4 model isn't exactly old, attention is already turning to its successor.

macbook air prime day 2025
Apple doesn't telegraph new product launches ahead of time, but we can draw a surprisingly clear picture of what to expect by looking at Apple's silicon roadmap, release cycles, and past upgrades.

Release Timing and Price

Apple appears to have settled into a spring refresh cycle for the 13-inch and 15-inch ‌MacBook Air‌. After releasing the M2 model in mid-2022 with an all-new design, Apple skipped 2023 and then delivered back-to-back M3 and M4 ‌MacBook Air‌ updates in March 2024 and March 2025, respectively.

Indeed, Bloomberg's Mark Gurman reports that Apple plans to roll out M5 versions of the ‌MacBook Air‌ in the first quarter of this year. This suggests a likely March 2026 window – unless Apple breaks the cycle, of course. As for pricing, we expect it to remain stable, with the base model sticking with the current entry-level $999 price.

Processor Upgrade

3nm apple silicon feature
The M5 series is expected to feature an enhanced ARM architecture and is reportedly being manufactured using TSMC's advanced 3-nanometer process technology. Apple's decision to forgo TSMC's more advanced 2nm process for the M5 chip is believed to be due to cost considerations.

Recent leaked benchmarks – allegedly from a next-gen iPad Pro running an M5 chip – show single-core scores around 4,133 and multi-core scores around 15,437. That's roughly a 12-15% jump over the current M4 iPad Pro in both categories. As for graphics performance, the M5 chip appears to have up to a 36% faster GPU compared to the M4 chip.

The benchmark suggests Apple has focused on modest clock speed increases and core-level efficiency improvements for the M5 chip, rather than an architecture overhaul. In other words, the M5 will be similar to the step-wise performance upgrade from M3 to M4. Expect 10-15% faster CPU speeds, a slightly more powerful GPU, and better efficiency, potentially leading to even longer battery life.

As a result, the M5 ‌MacBook Air‌ will likely feel more responsive in daily use, particularly in single-threaded tasks, but it won't dramatically outpace the M4 for sustained workloads like video rendering.

Display and Other Possible Changes

Apple MacBook Air hero

M4 ‌MacBook Air‌ in Sky Blue, the color Apple debuted earlier this year

Apple tends to stick with the same industrial design for multiple chip generations. The current ‌MacBook Air‌ design (introduced with the ‌M2‌ model) is only three years old and shows no signs of ageing. Expect the same 13- and 15-inch sizes, the same fanless aluminium unibody, and similar display technology – that means no OLED, which Apple appears to be saving for initial adoption in the MacBook Pro line, possibly later this year or in 2027.

If there are any physical changes, they'll likely be subtle. Think improved webcam quality, or tweaks to accommodate the next generation of wireless connectivity (such as Wi-Fi 7 or Bluetooth LE Audio). You never know – Apple could even offer the machine in a new color, just like it did this earlier year with the M4.

Looking Further Ahead

According to reports out of Korea, Apple plans to release a ‌MacBook Air‌ with an improved LCD display in 2027, featuring Oxide TFT technology instead of the current amorphous silicon (a-Si) panels.

The new display technology is said to be a significant upgrade over current ‌MacBook Air‌ screens. Oxide TFT LCD panels offer better power efficiency and improved performance compared to traditional a-Si displays, resulting in sharper images, smoother scrolling, and enhanced battery life.

The transition to Oxide TFT technology should also mean faster pixel response times and more consistent brightness across the screen. In practical terms, this should translate to reduced motion blur when watching videos or gaming, and more uniform lighting without the "clouding" effect sometimes visible on current LCD displays.

Related Roundup: MacBook Air
Related Forum: MacBook Air