If MBP has a regular M3, they are keeping M2 in the Air similar to iPhone 15 vs iPhone 15 Pro

[Kendo]

iPhone 15 Pro = A17 Pro
iPhone 15 = A16

iPad Pro = M2
iPad Air = M1

My guess is since the regular M3 is in the MacBook Pro, they will differentiate Macs similar to the way the regular iPhone and iPads have the last generation chip. This is pretty glaring in the iPad comparison. M2 will be in the Air for some time to come (especially considering 15" just came out in June with the M2 chip). M3 will stay with the MBP. When M4 hits the MBP, then the M3 will transition to the MBA.

 

[MF878]

It’s been widely reported that TSMC’s N3B process (which the A17 Pro and presumably these M3s are based on) is expensive with low yield. Apparently the N3E process should resolve this, and that’s probably what the A18/M4 will use.

There have been rumours that the iPhone 16 will skip over the A17 and we will get A18 and A18 Pro next year. Maybe the MacBook Air skips the M3 due to cost/yield challenges?

 

[XboxEvolved]

I’ve thought that perhaps this was the direction they were going, and then that would likely mean the mini and the air is put on that trajectory. Anymore huge adcanvements probably depend on die size at this point so every 2-3 years is when you will see considerable jumps in power with more minor ones usually.