New MacBook Air Models With M4 Chip Expected to Launch 'Earlier' Than iPhone SE 4 and iPad 11 - MacRumors
Skip to Content

New MacBook Air Models With M4 Chip Expected to Launch 'Earlier' Than iPhone SE 4 and iPad 11

Apple is rumored to have many product announcements planned for the first half of next year, including updated MacBook Air models, an iPad 11, an iPhone SE 4, the AirTag 2, updated iPad Air models, and potentially more.

m3 macbook air blue
In a social media post today, Bloomberg's Mark Gurman reiterated that the iPad 11, iPhone SE 4, and updated iPad Air models will be coming in the "spring" next year. Notably, he said the updated 13-inch and 15-inch MacBook Air models with the M4 chip will be announced "earlier" than those other devices, but he did not provide a specific timeframe.

This likely means that the updated MacBook Air models will be announced in a press release on the Apple Newsroom website at some point from January through March, whereas the other devices might be announced at Apple's usual spring event in March or April. Apple would be getting the minor MacBook Air update out of the way early.

Apple earlier this month released macOS 15.2, and in doing so it accidentally confirmed new MacBook Air models coming next year.

No major design changes have been rumored for the next MacBook Air, with only the M4 chip and other minor upgrades expected. Plausible new features could include a Center Stage camera, and an upgrade from Thunderbolt 3 to Thunderbolt 4 ports.

Apple already updated the MacBook Pro, iMac, and Mac mini with M4 chip options a few months ago. Geekbench results showed that the M4 chip is up to around 25% faster than the M3 chip in terms of multi-core CPU performance.

Related Roundup: MacBook Air
Buyer's Guide: MacBook Air (Buy Now)
Related Forum: MacBook Air

Popular Stories

iOS 26 Glass Photos Feature

iOS 27 to Add New Apple Intelligence Photo Editing Tools

Tuesday April 28, 2026 11:37 am PDT by
Apple will add new Apple Intelligence photo editing tools to the Photos app in iOS 27, iPadOS 27, and macOS 27, reports Bloomberg. On-device Apple Intelligence will be able to make subtle changes to image quality, positioning, and focus, with the new capabilities joining Clean Up, the sole AI editing feature that Apple has released to date. The Photos app in iOS 27, iPadOS 27, and macOS...
iPad Pro 2024 Space Black

Apple Has Likely Abandoned 'iPad Ultra' Plans

Wednesday April 29, 2026 10:30 am PDT by
Apple has reportedly abandoned plans for a foldable "iPad Ultra" following years of disappointing sales performance for the iPad Pro. The claim predominantly comes from the Weibo leaker known as "Instant Digital," who posted the remark in response to a question about whether the iPad would join a rumored "Ultra" series of Apple devices. Instant Digital listed the Apple Watch Ultra, M-series...
iOS 27 Mock Quick

iOS 27 Camera App to Get 'Siri' Mode With Nutrition Label Scanning

Wednesday April 29, 2026 9:54 am PDT by
Apple is planning to integrate Apple Intelligence and Siri into more of its apps in iOS 27, including the Camera app, reports Bloomberg. The iOS 27 Camera app will have a dedicated Siri mode that will be available alongside the existing Photo, Video, Portrait, and Panorama modes. When in Siri mode, the existing Camera app shutter button will feature the Apple Intelligence logo, letting users know ...

Top Rated Comments

19 months ago

60Hz display is just a joke.
Maybe for you, I can't see the difference. Battery life and weight are what matters for me.
Score: 11 Votes (Like | Disagree)
19 months ago
Probability that these displays will have the nano-texture coating?
Score: 11 Votes (Like | Disagree)
WarmWinterHat Avatar
19 months ago

Why not just buy the base model of the 14 inch MBP with M4? Overall it’s much better than MacBook Air and you can get good deal on all major internet sellers. 60Hz display is just a joke.
I can see the difference on an iPhone..I don't care about it whatsoever, but I can easily and quickly see it.

As for MacBook screens, I can't see it. Moving from a m1 air to my current m4 mbp, the refresh looks the same.
Score: 8 Votes (Like | Disagree)
19 months ago

I believe Apple realizes the economy is tanking. much more layoffs incoming.

So Apple is trying to rush as many products out to market before the bottom of the economy falls out.
People have been predicting the next huge crash since the last crash, what 15 years ago?
Score: 7 Votes (Like | Disagree)
vegetassj4 Avatar
19 months ago

When the M5 Pro comes out, the M6 Ultra can't be far behind right?
I will never be able to upgrade again, ever
Score: 6 Votes (Like | Disagree)
CausticSoda Avatar
19 months ago

Why not just buy the base model of the 14 inch MBP with M4? Overall it’s much better than MacBook Air and you can get good deal on all major internet sellers. 60Hz display is just a joke.
Because some people couldn't care less about the display frequency (I can't see any difference) and may want to prioritise it being as light as possible, obviously. I like the Airs and have absolutely zero interest in the Pros, so there you go. (And it has nothing to do with money).
Score: 5 Votes (Like | Disagree)