M4 vs M3: Is the Upgrade Worth It in 2026?
An older-generation comparison for existing owners and refurbished shoppers—not a claim that M4 is the newest MacBook.
M5 MacBook Air and M5-series MacBook Pro models are current. This guide keeps the M3-versus-M4 comparison useful for an owner considering an upgrade or a buyer comparing older offers. For desktops, there was never an M3 Mac mini: the lineup moved from M2 to M4, and current minis use M6 or M5 Pro. Older M4 minis and older Studio generations should be compared as refurbished options.
What Actually Changed in the MacBook Air?
Compare the same product and chip tier. A base M4 Air is not automatically faster in every job than an M3 Pro or M3 Max MacBook Pro. Cooling, memory capacity, media engines, and GPU configuration can outweigh the generation number. We have not conducted standardized Geekbench, Cinebench, export, or compile tests; the figures below are published specifications, not measured speed gains.
| Air specification | M3 (2024) | M4 (2025) |
|---|---|---|
| CPU cores | 8: 4 performance + 4 efficiency | 10: 4 performance + 6 efficiency |
| 13-inch GPU options | 8 or 10 cores | 8 or 10 cores |
| Memory bandwidth | 100GB/s | 120GB/s |
| Unified memory options | 8 / 16 / 24GB; check the listing | 16 / 24 / 32GB |
| Storage options | 256GB to 2TB | 256GB to 2TB |
| Camera | 1080p FaceTime HD | 12MP Center Stage with Desk View |
| Native external displays | Two with the laptop lid closed | Two while the built-in display remains active |
| Ports | Two Thunderbolt / USB4, MagSafe, headphones | Two Thunderbolt 4, MagSafe, headphones |
Memory Bandwidth: Published Specification
The M4 specification is 20% higher. This does not mean every application is 20% faster; a workload may be limited by another resource.
Find Your Actual Bottleneck
| Workload | What to check before upgrading |
|---|---|
| Documents, browser, and calls | If the M3 already feels responsive, a new chip may not change your day. Battery condition, storage space, and the display may matter more. |
| Video editing | Test your camera codec, effects, and multicam project. Proxies or a faster project SSD can address a bottleneck without replacing the laptop. |
| Development | Time a repeatable clean build and inspect memory pressure. More RAM can be more useful than moving an 8GB system to another 8GB system. |
| 3D, gaming, and local AI | Check GPU and memory requirements for the exact application. A Pro/Max chip tier or more memory can be more important than M3 versus M4. |
Repeat your test with the same project, app version, power setting, and background applications. A slow first run may include shader compilation, downloads, or indexing. A faster CPU cannot fix insufficient memory or a slow network service, and a fanless Air can behave differently during a short test and a long render.
Battery: Compare the Model and the Test
| Model | M3 rating, up to | M4 rating, up to |
|---|---|---|
| MacBook Air | 18h video / 15h web | 18h video / 15h web |
| 14-inch Pro with base chip | 22h video / 15h web | 24h video / 16h web |
These are Apple’s controlled video and wireless-web ratings, not editing or development runtimes. Original testing methods also differ. Chip upgrades do not imply a universal several-hour improvement; on an older refurbished Mac, battery condition and the seller’s replacement policy deserve close attention.
Value: Compare Like with Like
Use actual offers instead of an unverified sale-price table. Match screen size, chip tier, GPU option, memory, and storage; then account for condition, warranty, and battery policy. A low-priced 8GB M3 may be a worse long-term fit than a 16GB M4 even if both handle a quick browser demonstration.
As an editorial example—not a current offer—an extra $150 for a comparable M4 may be reasonable if you need its camera, active-lid dual-display support, or 32GB memory option. A $300 saving on a well-specified M3 may be more attractive if it already meets your needs. Neither dollar threshold guarantees the best buy.
Compare current M5 models too. The M5 Air starts with 512GB storage and adds Wi-Fi 7; those differences can shrink the real gap against a 256GB older Air. Do not buy a current-generation upgrade merely because it is available, but do not omit it from the comparison.
Who Should Upgrade?
M1 or M2 Owners
Upgrade if your current Mac has a concrete limitation: memory pressure, too little storage, a degraded battery, or a workflow it cannot handle. An M1 or M2 that still meets your needs does not need replacement simply because it is older.
Intel Mac Owners
Apple silicon can be a substantial portability and efficiency upgrade. Before replacing an Intel machine, check any Boot Camp, Intel-only plug-in, peripheral, or virtual-machine dependency. A refurbished M4 Air is one option; current M5 models are another.
M3 Owners
This is the trickiest category. If you're happy with your M3's performance, there's no urgent need to upgrade. A specification improvement alone does not establish a useful everyday gain. Upgrade for a measured bottleneck or a feature you need.
Who Should Buy M3 and Save?
Students and Casual Users
A well-priced M3 Air with enough memory and a sound battery can still be worthwhile. For web browsing, document editing, and streaming, the M3 is more than sufficient.
Budget-Conscious Professionals
If your work primarily involves web-based tools, document editing, and video calls, the M3 handles these tasks flawlessly.
Secondary Computer Users
If this Mac will be a companion to a desktop workstation, the M3 offers excellent value for on-the-go productivity.
FAQ
Will M3 MacBooks continue to receive software updates?
M3 Macs remain current macOS-compatible machines, but Apple has not promised support through a specific future year. Check the compatibility list for each macOS release; hardware service eligibility and software support are separate.
Is the M4 better for gaming?
M4 can provide more graphics headroom, but results depend on the game, GPU configuration, memory, resolution, and cooling. Both M3 and M4 support hardware ray tracing. Verify the exact game’s Mac support and avoid a universal frame-rate percentage.
Should I buy refurbished M3 or M4?
Compare exact memory, storage, condition, battery policy, and warranty before the chip. Apple Certified Refurbished includes a one-year warranty. A cheaper 8GB M3 is not equivalent to a 16GB M4. Include current M5 offers rather than assuming M4 is the newest generation.
Conclusion
The M4 vs M3 decision ultimately comes down to your budget and performance needs. M4 offers newer hardware and useful model-specific improvements, while a sufficiently discounted M3 can still meet everyday needs. Neither chip name establishes current value or guarantees future support.
Bottom line: If performance is your priority, compare current M5 and Pro/Max chip options as well as older M4 offers. If you want the best value and the M3 meets your current needs, save your money. Use TheresMac to compare prices and find the best deals on either generation.
Sources: Apple’s M3 Air specifications, M4 Air specifications, base-M3 Pro specifications, and base-M4 Pro specifications.