Apple MacBook Air 15 (M4) vs Apple MacBook Pro 16 (M4 Pro)
Laptops comparison: specs, VersusAnything Score, key differences and a clear recommendation.
If you are torn between Apple MacBook Air 15 (M4) and Apple MacBook Pro 16 (M4 Pro), this page lays out every specification that separates them and what each one means in use. The 15-inch MacBook Air M4 gives you the biggest fanless Apple laptop, with 16 GB of memory, six speakers and up to 18 hours of battery at $1,199. The 16-inch MacBook Pro with M4 Pro is Apple's creator workhorse, with a 14-core CPU, 24 GB of unified memory, 512 GB SSD and up to 24 hours of battery.
Quick verdict
On the VersusAnything Score, Apple MacBook Pro 16 (M4 Pro) finishes ahead, 44 to 40. It is the better buy for video editors and developers who need sustained power and a big display; for people who want a big screen in a silent, thin laptop, MacBook Air 15 M4 still makes more sense.
VersusAnything Score
Scores are calculated from measurable specifications normalised within the laptops category and weighted by the factors above. Text-only rows (such as chipset or operating system) are explained but not scored. How the score works.
Side-by-side overview
Apple MacBook Air 15 (M4)
The 15-inch MacBook Air M4 gives you the biggest fanless Apple laptop, with 16 GB of memory, six speakers and up to 18 hours of battery at $1,199.
Best for people who want a big screen in a silent, thin laptop
Apple MacBook Pro 16 (M4 Pro)
The 16-inch MacBook Pro with M4 Pro is Apple's creator workhorse, with a 14-core CPU, 24 GB of unified memory, 512 GB SSD and up to 24 hours of battery.
Best for video editors and developers who need sustained power and a big display
Key differences
- Screen size: MacBook Air 15 M4 15.3" vs MacBook Pro 16 M4 Pro 16.2" — a preference, not a scored win
- Resolution: MacBook Air 15 M4 2880 x 1864 Liquid Retina (IPS) vs MacBook Pro 16 M4 Pro 3456 x 2234 Liquid Retina XDR (mini-LED) — a preference, not a scored win
- Processor: MacBook Air 15 M4 Apple M4 (10-core) vs MacBook Pro 16 M4 Pro Apple M4 Pro (14-core) — a preference, not a scored win
- Graphics: MacBook Air 15 M4 Integrated 10-core (M4) vs MacBook Pro 16 M4 Pro Integrated 20-core (M4 Pro) — a preference, not a scored win
- Ports: MacBook Air 15 M4 2x Thunderbolt 4, MagSafe 3, 3.5 mm vs MacBook Pro 16 M4 Pro 3x Thunderbolt 5, HDMI, SDXC, MagSafe 3, 3.5 mm — a preference, not a scored win
Specification comparison table
| Specification | MacBook Air 15 M4 | MacBook Pro 16 M4 Pro |
|---|---|---|
| Screen size | 15.3" | 16.2" |
| Resolution | 2880 x 1864 Liquid Retina (IPS) | 3456 x 2234 Liquid Retina XDR (mini-LED) |
| Refresh rate | 60 Hz | 120 Hz |
| Weight | 1.51 kg | 2.14 kg |
| Processor | Apple M4 (10-core) | Apple M4 Pro (14-core) |
| RAM | 16 GB | 24 GB |
| Base SSD | 256 GB | 512 GB |
| Graphics | Integrated 10-core (M4) | Integrated 20-core (M4 Pro) |
| Rated battery life | 18 h | 24 h |
| Ports | 2x Thunderbolt 4, MagSafe 3, 3.5 mm | 3x Thunderbolt 5, HDMI, SDXC, MagSafe 3, 3.5 mm |
| Operating system | macOS | macOS |
| Launch price (USD) | $1,199 | $2,499 |
Display: MacBook Air 15 M4 vs MacBook Pro 16 M4 Pro Score: MacBook Air 15 M4 12 · MacBook Pro 16 M4 Pro 59
For screen size, MacBook Air 15 M4 uses 15.3" whereas MacBook Pro 16 M4 Pro goes with 16.2". This is a preference rather than a scored win: a bigger screen helps multitasking but adds bulk to your bag. For resolution, MacBook Air 15 M4 uses 2880 x 1864 Liquid Retina (IPS) whereas MacBook Pro 16 M4 Pro goes with 3456 x 2234 Liquid Retina XDR (mini-LED). This is a preference rather than a scored win: resolution and panel type decide how sharp text looks and how good the colours are for creative work.
The refresh rate row goes to MacBook Pro 16 M4 Pro: 120 Hz against 60 Hz. A higher refresh rate makes scrolling and cursor movement feel smoother.
Portability: MacBook Air 15 M4 vs MacBook Pro 16 M4 Pro Score: MacBook Air 15 M4 29 · MacBook Pro 16 M4 Pro 6
MacBook Air 15 M4 is better on weight at 1.51 kg against 2.14 kg, a 0.63 kg difference; lower is better because every hundred grams matters if the laptop lives in a backpack.
Performance: MacBook Air 15 M4 vs MacBook Pro 16 M4 Pro Score: MacBook Air 15 M4 27 · MacBook Pro 16 M4 Pro 67
MacBook Air 15 M4: Apple M4 (10-core). MacBook Pro 16 M4 Pro: Apple M4 Pro (14-core). Neither is scored, but the processor sets single-core snappiness and multi-core rendering speed. MacBook Pro 16 M4 Pro offers 24 GB of RAM while MacBook Air 15 M4 stops at 16 GB; the 8 GB gap matters because more memory means more browser tabs and apps before slowdown.
The base SSD row goes to MacBook Pro 16 M4 Pro: 512 GB against 256 GB. A larger base SSD saves you from paying for an upgrade or carrying an external drive. The two differ on graphics (Integrated 10-core (M4) against Integrated 20-core (M4 Pro)), and graphics decide whether the laptop can handle gaming and GPU-accelerated video editing.
Battery: MacBook Air 15 M4 vs MacBook Pro 16 M4 Pro Score: MacBook Air 15 M4 50 · MacBook Pro 16 M4 Pro 85
MacBook Pro 16 M4 Pro leads on rated battery life with 24 h versus 18 h, a margin of 6 h. In practice the manufacturer's rating is optimistic, but it is still useful for relative comparison.
Ports: MacBook Air 15 M4 vs MacBook Pro 16 M4 Pro
The two differ on ports (2x Thunderbolt 4, MagSafe 3, 3.5 mm against 3x Thunderbolt 5, HDMI, SDXC, MagSafe 3, 3.5 mm), and port selection decides how many dongles you carry.
Value: MacBook Air 15 M4 vs MacBook Pro 16 M4 Pro Score: MacBook Air 15 M4 79 · MacBook Pro 16 M4 Pro 0
Both list macOS for operating system, so nothing separates them here.
On launch price (USD), MacBook Air 15 M4 keeps it to $1,199 while MacBook Pro 16 M4 Pro lists $2,499. That $1,300 edge counts since launch price is the cleanest baseline for value.
Pros and cons
MacBook Air 15 M4
Pros
- Largest fanless MacBook
- Six-speaker sound system
- 18-hour battery
- Better weight (1.51 kg)
- Better launch price (USD) ($1,199)
Cons
- Weaker refresh rate (60 Hz)
- Weaker RAM (16 GB)
- Weaker base SSD (256 GB)
- Weaker rated battery life (18 h)
MacBook Pro 16 M4 Pro
Pros
- M4 Pro with 24 GB memory
- 16.2-inch 120 Hz mini-LED display
- Longest MacBook battery
- Better weight (2.14 kg)
- Better launch price (USD) ($2,499)
Cons
- Weaker refresh rate (120 Hz)
- Weaker RAM (24 GB)
- Weaker base SSD (512 GB)
- Weaker rated battery life (24 h)
Which one should you buy?
Choose Apple MacBook Air 15 (M4) for…
People who want a big screen in a silent, thin laptop. It stands out for largest fanless macbook, six-speaker sound system, 18-hour battery.
Choose Apple MacBook Pro 16 (M4 Pro) for…
Video editors and developers who need sustained power and a big display. It stands out for m4 pro with 24 gb memory, 16.2-inch 120 hz mini-led display, longest macbook battery.
Final verdict
MacBook Pro 16 M4 Pro scores 44 to MacBook Air 15 M4's 40 on our category weighting, making it the stronger overall pick for video editors and developers who need sustained power and a big display. MacBook Air 15 M4 remains the right call for people who want a big screen in a silent, thin laptop. The VersusAnything Score is a transparent starting point, not a command; weight the rows you care about and the right answer for you may differ.
Compare with another laptop
Frequently asked questions
Is MacBook Air 15 M4 better than MacBook Pro 16 M4 Pro?
On the VersusAnything Score, MacBook Pro 16 M4 Pro finishes ahead 44 to 40. That makes MacBook Pro 16 M4 Pro the better overall pick for video editors and developers who need sustained power and a big display, while MacBook Air 15 M4 is still the right choice for people who want a big screen in a silent, thin laptop.
What is the biggest difference between MacBook Air 15 M4 and MacBook Pro 16 M4 Pro?
The largest gap is screen size: MacBook Air 15 M4 lists 15.3" while MacBook Pro 16 M4 Pro lists 16.2". A bigger screen helps multitasking but adds bulk to your bag.
Which is cheaper, MacBook Air 15 M4 or MacBook Pro 16 M4 Pro?
MacBook Air 15 M4 is cheaper on launch price (USD): $1,199 against $2,499 for MacBook Pro 16 M4 Pro. Street prices vary by country and retailer, so check current offers.
Who should choose MacBook Pro 16 M4 Pro over MacBook Air 15 M4?
MacBook Pro 16 M4 Pro is the better fit for video editors and developers who need sustained power and a big display. Its strongest points are m4 pro with 24 gb memory, 16.2-inch 120 hz mini-led display, longest macbook battery.
Sources
- MacBook Air 15 M4: Apple MacBook Air page (manufacturer)
- MacBook Pro 16 M4 Pro: Apple MacBook Pro page (manufacturer)
Specifications last verified: 2026-10-01. Prices are launch or official list prices in US dollars unless stated. See our sources and data policy.