Apple's next MacBook Air, featuring the M5 chip, is targeted for a March 2026 release according to Mark Gurman. The popular laptop will maintain its $999 starting price. This follows a new spring refresh cycle established with the M3 and M4 models, suggesting a predictable annual update for the 13- and 15-inch models.

Leaked benchmarks from a purported M5 iPad Pro indicate a 12-15% CPU performance jump over the M4, with graphics scores up to 36% higher. The gains stem from modest clock speed increases and efficiency improvements on TSMC's 3nm process, not a major architectural overhaul. Expect snappier daily use but not a revolutionary leap for heavy workloads like video rendering.

The industrial design will remain unchanged from the current M2-era model, meaning no OLED display—Apple is reserving that for MacBook Pro. Minor tweaks could include a better webcam or Wi-Fi 7 support. A more substantial update is planned for 2027 with an Oxide TFT LCD panel, promising sharper images, smoother scrolling, and improved battery life by replacing the current amorphous silicon screens.