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

[MacRumors]

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.

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.

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

 

[dypeterc]

Probability that these displays will have the nano-texture coating?

 

[Realityck]

That makes sense, there is a larger market for pitching updated M4 based MBA's to consumers/education marketplace.

 

[Peterrocks!]

I hope this means the M4 MBAs get released “before Spring” (i. e., before March 20th, which is a Thursday btw). The phones could technically released be before June 20th. Both are early next year!

 

[picpicmac]

It will not be surprising if this turns out to be true. Turning out M4 MacBook Airs in Feb'25 is a logical thing to do.

 

[vegetassj4]

For my purposes: By the time they release the M4 Ultra, I might as well wait for an M5 pro.

Handbrake on my M4 pro MacBook is smoking my 2019 Intel iMac which was still a lot faster than my M1 Mac Mini. I sooo wanted an excuse to get an Ultra, but this staggering keeps holding me back. Saves me money I guess🤷‍♂️

 

[DHagan4755]

Maybe the end of January?

 

[ignatius345]

Probability that these displays will have the nano-texture coating?

Fingers crossed for this one, myself. It's the excuse I need to replace a still quite well-functioning M1 Air 🤣

 

[9081094]

Why not introduce them with the iPad. That will probably have the same form factor and a processor swap. I’ve you’re lucky some new painting on the pig 🐽

 

[brofkand]

For my purposes: By the time they release the M4 Ultra, I might as well wait for an M5 pro.

Handbrake on my M4 pro MacBook is smoking my 2019 Intel iMac which was still a lot faster than my M1 Mac Mini. I sooo wanted an excuse to get an Ultra, but this staggering keeps holding me back. Saves me money I guess🤷‍♂️

When the M5 Pro comes out, the M6 Ultra can't be far behind right?

 

[jecowa]

I hope this means the M4 MBAs get released “before Spring” (i. e., before March 20th, which is a Thursday btw). The phones could technically released be before June 20th. Both are early next year!

In Apple’s terminology, “early” is the first 3 months of the year, “late” is the final 3 months of the year, and “mid” is the middle 6 months.

 

[brofkand]

Probability that these displays will have the nano-texture coating?

Considering the iMac got it, pretty good. Have you seen it in person however? Text is noticeably blurry with the coating.

 

[sza]

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.

 

[DocMultimedia]

I'll be buying the M4 Air, so the sooner the better. Next week would be fine with me.

 

[Siliconguy]

It will not be surprising if this turns out to be true. Turning out M4 MacBook Airs in Feb'25 is a logical thing to do.

Just in time for tax refund season.

 

[Siliconguy]

60Hz display is just a joke.

Maybe for you, I can't see the difference. Battery life and weight are what matters for me.

 

[WarmWinterHat]

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.

 

[jz0309]

and in early Feb 25, Gurman: "Apple changed its plans, now launching ..."

 

[Excited4NuProduct]

I’m quite surprised by this, as I was certain it would come ‘earlier’ and not ‘later’ as previously hinted. But does it make sense, as ‘layer’ means it would be as expected, thereby ensuring expectations weren’t ruffled. After all, there’s only so much excitement we can take in the run up to Christmas.

 

[smulji]

I hope this means the M4 MBAs get released “before Spring” (i. e., before March 20th, which is a Thursday btw). The phones could technically released be before June 20th. Both are early next year!

Exactly. I'm thinking late January / Early February

 

[vegetassj4]

When the M5 Pro comes out, the M6 Ultra can't be far behind right?

I will never be able to upgrade again, ever

 

[Cervisia]

When the M5 Pro comes out, the M6 Ultra can't be far behind right?

Yeah. Which makes me wonder whether there is any point in actually making an ultra chip and hurting the mac studio because it's held back forever, waiting for the next ultra. Or make it mac pro exclusive at least.

 

[Cervisia]

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.

Bigger, heavier, and it's not a completely enclosed computer with the absolute minimum number of moving parts. And I value the better display for "about 3 fiddy", but apple charges much more for it. The only upside of it for me is the hdmi port, but for that price I can spam all of my bags with adapters.

 

[CausticSoda]

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).

 

[Darren.h]

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.