Apple has refreshed the MacBook Air for 2026, and this time the spotlight is on the new M5 chip. The update rolls out in India alongside other global markets, bringing performance upgrades, more storage by default, and the latest connectivity standards.
The new MacBook Air comes in two familiar sizes: 13.6 inches and 15.3 inches. But there’s one noticeable change right away. The base model now starts with 512GB of storage, which is a welcome step up compared to previous generations.
ALSO READ: Apple Launches MacBook Pro 2026 In India With M5 Pro And M5 Max Chips
Price And Availability In India
In India, the 13-inch MacBook Air with the M5 chip starts at ₹119,900. If you prefer the larger 15-inch model, pricing begins at ₹144,900.
Apple is offering the laptop in four colour options: Sky Blue, Midnight, Starlight, and Silver.
Pre-orders open on March 4 in 33 countries and regions, including India and the US. Shipments for all models are scheduled to begin on March 11.
What The M5 Chip Brings
At the heart of the new MacBook Air is Apple’s M5 chip. It features a 10-core CPU and up to a 10-core GPU, along with neural accelerators on each core.
Apple claims the M5-powered MacBook Air delivers up to four times faster performance for AI-related tasks compared to the MacBook Air with the M4 chip. The company also says it’s up to 9.5 times faster than the MacBook Air with the M1 chip.
For gaming and 3D workloads, the M5 includes shader cores and a third-generation ray-tracing engine. It also supports unified memory with 153GB/s of bandwidth. According to Apple, web browsing is up to 50 percent faster compared to PC laptops powered by Intel Core Ultra X7 processors.
The laptop can be configured with up to 4TB of storage and ships with macOS Tahoe. It also supports Apple Intelligence features.
Display, Camera And Audio
Both size options feature Liquid Retina displays. The 13.6-inch and 15.3-inch panels offer 500 nits of brightness and support for one billion colours.
Apple claims up to 18 hours of battery life on a single charge, which should comfortably get most users through a full day of work or study.
For video calls, the MacBook Air now includes a 12-megapixel Center Stage camera with Desk View support. There’s also a three-microphone array and a speaker system that supports spatial audio and Dolby Atmos.
Connectivity And Ports
The 2026 MacBook Air supports Bluetooth 6 and Wi-Fi 7, along with Apple’s in-house N1 wireless networking chip.
In terms of physical ports, you get two Thunderbolt 4 ports, and the laptop supports up to two external displays for those who need a multi-screen setup.
Overall, this update feels less about redesign and more about refinement. With the M5 chip, more base storage, and next-generation connectivity, Apple is clearly positioning the MacBook Air as a lightweight machine that doesn’t compromise on performance.