Malcolm Owen
An M4 update to the MacBook Air in 2025 has been rumored for some time, but information exclusive to AppleInsider suggests that the new model will have Center Stage support from an ultrawide camera.
Typically, rumors and leaks are spread online, sourced from third-party manufacturers, analyst predictions, and hearsay. However, in Wednesday's public releases of its operating system updates, the download for macOS 15.2 has some accidental additions concerning the MacBook Air. Text strings, confirmed to AppleInsider, include references to the MacBook Air in 13-inch and 15-inch sizes, equipped with the M4 chip.
Beyond the leak in Wednesday's macOS release, there are also regulatory documents that we have discovered, detailing an upgraded front-facing camera system in the line.
In regulatory documents found by AppleInsider, there's a reference to a "Front Ultra Wide Camera." This is likely to mean the 1080p FaceTime HD camera in the M3 version could get an upgrade.
An Ultra Wide camera could end up with the MacBook Air gaining Center Stage support, or features such as Desk View, just like the M4 MacBook Pro.
Current rumors claim the MacBook Air line is getting an upgrade in the spring of 2025, as Apple gradually shifts its entire Mac catalog to the chip.
Christine McKee
Amber Neely
William Gallagher
1 Comment
There has never been any question about the possibility of a M4 MacBook Air. The only main questions are the exact configurations, pricing, and release date, none of which will be accurately revealed until Apple's official announcement.
It is unlikely that the M4 version will launch less than a year after the M3 model (March 4, 2024), so I expect the transition to be sometime between March and May. I doubt Apple will wait as long as WWDC 2025 (June) when the focus will shift to new operating systems and new silicon.
My guess is there will not be any special event for the M4 MacBook Air, probably just a press release and video like this fall's Mac releases. They might try to stagger a few other products like the Mac Studio, maybe the new iPhone SE (2025).