Apple's 15-inch MacBook Air: Rumors, and what to expect

Apple hasn't offered two sizes of the MacBook Air since the 11-inch model was discontinued in 2015. That is set to change in 2023, but Apple is expected to announce a larger 15-inch model instead of reintroducing a smaller one.

Rumors about a 15-inch MacBook Air began in earnest at the start of 2022. Earlier rumors hinted at a 15-inch model, but they were less certain in January 2021.

March 2022

On March 23, 2022, display supply chain analyst Ross Young seemed adamant about a larger MacBook Air. He suggested that the yet-to-be-announced M2 MacBook Air could get a slight size bump, which it did, and a 15-inch model could also be announced. However, Apple only announced the 13-inch model during WWDC.

Just two days later, Ming-Chi Kuo disagreed with Young, stating the 15-inch MacBook wouldn't arrive until 2023 at the earliest. He also said it might not be referred to as a MacBook Air, but would be a different model entirely.

Kuo also mentioned that the larger MacBook would use the same 30W power adapter, though we now know the MacBook Air can also be configured with a dual USB-C 35W adapter.

Not to be out leaked, Ross Young came back on March 25, 2022 with another MacBook Air prediction. He stated that the 15-inch MacBook Air would sport a 15.2-inch display and that the upcoming 13-inch model would be increased from 13.3 inches to 13.6 inches.

So far, half of that statement is true since the M2 MacBook Air does indeed have a 13.6-inch display. Ross Young has been highly accurate regarding display leaks from the supply chain.

Young also stated that the MacBook Air would not get mini-LED or ProMotion. Both display technologies have been reserved for Apple's "Pro" devices, and that hasn't changed.

June 2022

After WWDC in June, leaks began again for the 15-inch MacBook Air. First, Bloomberg's Mark Gurman said that a "wider" version of the MacBook Air would sport a 15-inch display and M2 processor. It would arrive sometime in 2023 or 2024.

This rumor was followed up a few days later by Ming-Chi Kuo with more detail on the laptop. He still didn't refer to it as a MacBook Air but said the 15-inch laptop would have an M2 or M2 Pro processor and launch by the end of 2023 or later.

Lacking details and an unusual report

Very little else leaked about the larger MacBook Air until December 2022, in which Ross Young adjusted the expected screen size from 15.2 inches to 15.5 inches. He continued to suggest it would arrive in early 2023.

No leaker has taken a stab at color offerings or further configuration details. Rumors surrounding the M2 MacBook Air before it was announced suggested a full range of colors similar to the 24-inch iMac was coming, but instead, Apple stuck to four basic colors.

In January 2023, a doubtful Digitimes report stated that the MacBook Air would be refreshed with an M3 processor in the second half of 2023. This doesn't line up with other rumors, and it would mean a year-over-year chip update to the product — both suggesting it is unlikely.

Ross Young returned on February 13, 2023 to state that the 15.5-inch MacBook Air would release in early April. That put it in line with Ming-Chi Kuo's previous predictions and set it up to release with an M2 processor — but that announcement didn't happen.

There was some back and forth through March 2023 about the 15-inch MacBook Pro launch, whether it would have M3, and launch with a new 13-inch model as well. M3 isn't due until fall 2023 at the earliest, so this rumor has mostly been dismissed, as it was from an unknown source.

Ross Young chimed in again in April 2023 to suggest a supply chain production ramp-up could indicate the larger MacBook Air could arrive in April or May. Mark Gurman says Apple is testing a 15-inch MacBook Air with a processor on par with M2.

WWDC 2023 release

All eyes are on WWDC 2023, being held on June 5. If a new MacBook Air is launching soon, that would be where it is being announced, though it is also expected to be a packed event with an Apple VR Headset reveal as well.

The purple MacBook Air shown in our renders is a guess based on Apple's previous releases. Typically, when Apple does a mid-cycle product refresh, it tends to release a new colorway.

The 15-inch MacBook Air isn't expected until sometime in 2023, so Apple has likely not finalized pricing and configuration decisions. What's more confusing is the existence of the 13-inch MacBook Pro with M2 and how it fits in with yet another mid-range laptop.