Apple MacBook Air 13" M3 vs Samsung Galaxy Book5 Pro 16"
Side-by-side comparison of viewing distance, PPI, and specifications
Samsung Galaxy Book5 Pro 16"
16" · 2880×1800 · OLED
Optimal Viewing Distance 41cm
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| Specification | Apple MacBook Air 13" M3 2024 | Samsung Galaxy Book5 Pro 16" 2025 |
|---|---|---|
| Screen Size | 13.6" | 16" (Better) |
| Resolution | 2560×1664 | 2880×1800 (Better) |
| Pixel Density (PPI) | 225 (Better) | 212 |
| Optimal Viewing Distance | 39cm (Better) | 41cm |
| Panel Type | IPS | OLED |
| Viewing Angle | 178° | 178° |
| Aspect Ratio | 16:10 | 16:10 |
| Refresh Rate | 60 Hz | 120 Hz (Better) |
| Variable Refresh Rate (VRR) | None | None |
| Response Time | 25 ms GTG | 3 ms GTG (Better) |
| HDR Certification | None | DisplayHDR True Black 500 |
| SDR Brightness | 500 nits (Better) | 390 nits |
| HDR Peak Brightness | 600 nits (Better) | 570 nits |
| Contrast Ratio | 1:1,300 | 1:1,000,000 (Better) |
| Ports | 0x HDMI · 0x DP · USB-C | 1x HDMI · 0x DP · USB-C |
| USB-C Power Delivery | 35 W | 65 W (Better) |
| Color Gamut | sRGB 100% · DCI-P3 98% · Adobe RGB 88% | sRGB 100% · DCI-P3 100% · Adobe RGB 96% (Better) |
| Year | 2024 | 2025 (Better) |
Summary
The Apple MacBook Air 13" M3 has higher pixel density (225 PPI), making it sharper at close range.
The Apple MacBook Air 13" M3 allows sitting closer (39cm) while maintaining retina quality.
The Samsung Galaxy Book5 Pro 16" offers a larger 16" display for more immersive viewing.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which has better PPI: Apple MacBook Air 13" M3 or Samsung Galaxy Book5 Pro 16"?
The Apple MacBook Air 13" M3 has 225 PPI compared to 212 PPI for the Samsung Galaxy Book5 Pro 16".
Which has a closer optimal viewing distance?
The Apple MacBook Air 13" M3 requires 39cm vs 41cm for the Samsung Galaxy Book5 Pro 16" to reach retina quality.
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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