Apple MacBook Air 13" M3 vs Apple MacBook Air 15" M3
Side-by-side comparison of viewing distance, PPI, and specifications
Category Ranking
Pixel Density (PPI)18in category
Apple MacBook Air 13" M3225 PPI #10
Apple MacBook Air 15" M3224 PPI #11
189 PPI261 PPI
HDR Peak Brightness18in category
Apple MacBook Air 13" M3600 nits #7
Apple MacBook Air 15" M3600 nits #7
500 nits1600 nits
DCI-P3 Color Gamut17in category
Apple MacBook Air 13" M398% #15
Apple MacBook Air 15" M399% #12
97%100%
Refresh Rate
Apple MacBook Air 13" M360 Hz
Apple MacBook Air 15" M360 Hz
StandardHighUltra
Summary
- Sharpness: identical — Both screens are retina at 50cm. With nearly identical pixel density (225 vs 224 PPI), there is no visible difference in sharpness.
- Brightness: comparable — Both screens offer similar brightness (500 vs 500 nits SDR). Neither has a meaningful advantage for outdoor use.
Key Differences
| Specification | Apple MacBook Air 13" M3 | Apple MacBook Air 15" M3 |
|---|---|---|
| Pixel Density (PPI) | 225 | 224 |
| Contrast Ratio | 1:1,300 | 1:1,280 |
| Screen Size | 13.6" | 15.3" |
| Resolution | 2560×1664 | 2880×1864 |
| USB-C Power Delivery | 35 W | 70 W |
| Color Gamut | sRGB 100% · DCI-P3 98% · Adobe RGB 88% | sRGB 100% · DCI-P3 99% · Adobe RGB 88% |
All specifications
| Specification | Apple MacBook Air 13" M3 2024 | Apple MacBook Air 15" M3 2024 |
|---|---|---|
| Screen Size | 13.6" | 15.3" (Better) |
| Resolution | 2560×1664 | 2880×1864 (Better) |
| Pixel Density (PPI) | 225 (Better) | 224 |
| Optimal Viewing Distance | 39cm | 39cm |
| Panel Type | IPS | IPS |
| Viewing Angle | 178° | 178° |
| Aspect Ratio | 16:10 | 16:10 |
| Refresh Rate | 60 Hz | 60 Hz |
| Variable Refresh Rate (VRR) | None | None |
| Response Time | 25 ms GTG | 25 ms GTG |
| HDR Certification | None | None |
| SDR Brightness | 500 nits | 500 nits |
| HDR Peak Brightness | 600 nits | 600 nits |
| Contrast Ratio | 1:1,300 (Better) | 1:1,280 |
| Ports | USB-C | USB-C |
| USB-C Power Delivery | 35 W | 70 W (Better) |
| Color Gamut | sRGB 100% · DCI-P3 98% · Adobe RGB 88% | sRGB 100% · DCI-P3 99% · Adobe RGB 88% (Better) |
| Year | 2024 | 2024 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Which has better PPI: Apple MacBook Air 13" M3 or Apple MacBook Air 15" M3?
The Apple MacBook Air 13" M3 has 225 PPI compared to 224 PPI for the Apple MacBook Air 15" M3.
Which has a closer optimal viewing distance?
Both require 39cm for retina quality.
Related Comparisons
Apple MacBook Air 13" M3 2024 · 225 PPI · 13.6" · 60 Hz
vs Apple MacBook Air 15" M4 2025 · 224 PPI · 15.3" · 60 Hz
Apple MacBook Air 13" M3 2024 · 225 PPI · 13.6" · 60 Hz
vs Apple MacBook Neo 2026 · 219 PPI · 13" · 60 Hz
Apple MacBook Air 13" M3 2024 · 225 PPI · 13.6" · 60 Hz
vs Apple MacBook Pro 14" M3 Pro 2023 · 254 PPI · 14.2" · 120 Hz
Apple MacBook Air 13" M3 2024 · 225 PPI · 13.6" · 60 Hz
vs Apple MacBook Pro 14" M4 2024 · 254 PPI · 14.2" · 120 Hz
Methodology & Sources
Formula: Retina distance (cm) = 3438 / PPI. Displayed values are rounded for readability.
Sources: Official manufacturer spec sheets and product pages. Specs are normalized before comparisons.
Comparison winners are calculated metric by metric (higher is better for most specs; lower is better for distance/response time).
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