Apple MacBook Air 15" M3 vs Apple MacBook Air 15" M4
Side-by-side comparison of viewing distance, PPI, and specifications
Category Ranking
Pixel Density (PPI)18in category
Apple MacBook Air 15" M3224 PPI #11
Apple MacBook Air 15" M4224 PPI #11
189 PPI261 PPI
HDR Peak Brightness18in category
Apple MacBook Air 15" M3600 nits #7
Apple MacBook Air 15" M4600 nits #7
500 nits1600 nits
DCI-P3 Color Gamut17in category
Apple MacBook Air 15" M399% #12
Apple MacBook Air 15" M499% #12
97%100%
Refresh Rate
Apple MacBook Air 15" M360 Hz
Apple MacBook Air 15" M460 Hz
StandardHighUltra
Summary
- Sharpness: identical — Both screens are retina at 50cm with identical pixel density (224 PPI). No difference in sharpness.
- Brightness: comparable — Both screens offer similar brightness (500 vs 500 nits SDR). Neither has a meaningful advantage for outdoor use.
- Upgrade: Apple MacBook Air 15" M4 vs Apple MacBook Air 15" M3 — The screen is not a reason to upgrade — same resolution, similar brightness.
Key Differences
| Specification | Apple MacBook Air 15" M3 | Apple MacBook Air 15" M4 |
|---|---|---|
| Response Time | 25 ms GTG | 20 ms GTG |
| Contrast Ratio | 1:1,280 | 1:1,600 |
| Year | 2024 | 2025 |
All specifications
| Specification | Apple MacBook Air 15" M3 2024 | Apple MacBook Air 15" M4 2025 |
|---|---|---|
| Screen Size | 15.3" | 15.3" |
| Resolution | 2880×1864 | 2880×1864 |
| Pixel Density (PPI) | 224 | 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 | 20 ms GTG (Better) |
| HDR Certification | None | None |
| SDR Brightness | 500 nits | 500 nits |
| HDR Peak Brightness | 600 nits | 600 nits |
| Contrast Ratio | 1:1,280 | 1:1,600 (Better) |
| Ports | USB-C | USB-C |
| USB-C Power Delivery | 70 W | 70 W |
| Color Gamut | sRGB 100% · DCI-P3 99% · Adobe RGB 88% | sRGB 100% · DCI-P3 99% · Adobe RGB 88% |
| Year | 2024 | 2025 (Better) |
Frequently Asked Questions
Which has better PPI: Apple MacBook Air 15" M3 or Apple MacBook Air 15" M4?
Both have 224 PPI.
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" M3 2024 · 224 PPI · 15.3" · 60 Hz
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 15" M3 2024 · 224 PPI · 15.3" · 60 Hz
vs Apple MacBook Neo 2026 · 219 PPI · 13" · 60 Hz
Apple MacBook Air 15" M3 2024 · 224 PPI · 15.3" · 60 Hz
vs Apple MacBook Pro 14" M3 Pro 2023 · 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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