Apple MacBook Air 13" M2 vs Samsung Galaxy Book4 15"
The Verdict
Apple's MacBook Air M2 delivers superior performance and portability in a compact 13-inch form factor, weighing just 2.7 lbs with exceptional build quality and an impressive 18-hour battery life. The M2 chip handles demanding tasks smoothly, supported by macOS Ventura's seamless integration. However, the base model comes with only 256GB storage and 8GB RAM, limiting multitasking capability. Samsung's Galaxy Book4 15 offers significantly more value at $749, providing a larger 15.6-inch 1920x1080 display, double the RAM (16GB), and twice the storage (512GB) with a 10th-gen Intel Core i7 processor. Its 10-hour battery life falls short of the MacBook, and the thicker 0.61-inch profile makes it less portable. The MacBook excels for creative professionals needing performance and mobility, featuring two Thunderbolt ports and MagSafe charging. Samsung targets budget-conscious users who prioritize screen real estate and multitasking capacity over portability. Upgrading the MacBook's storage and RAM to match the Galaxy Book4's specs would push its price to $1,599, making the Samsung considerably more affordable for its specifications. Choose the MacBook Air M2 for superior optimization and ultraportability, or the Galaxy Book4 15 if you need a larger screen and more RAM without stretching your budget.
Who Should Buy
Buy the Apple MacBook Air 13" M2 if…
- →Stunning redesign with flat edges and slim 0.44-inch profile
- →MagSafe charging returns — frees up both USB-C ports
- →1080p FaceTime camera is a massive upgrade over the M1 Air
Buy the Samsung Galaxy Book4 15" if…
- →Lightweight at 3.44 lbs with an aluminum build for the price
- →Full-HD display is sufficient for everyday productivity
- →Samsung ecosystem features like Quick Share and Phone Link
Category Scores
Pros & Cons
Apple MacBook Air 13" M2
Pros
- Stunning redesign with flat edges and slim 0.44-inch profile
- MagSafe charging returns — frees up both USB-C ports
- 1080p FaceTime camera is a massive upgrade over the M1 Air
- Liquid Retina display is brighter and slightly larger at 13.6 inches
- Fanless M2 chip handles 4K video editing silently
Cons
- 256 GB base SSD uses single NAND chip — notably slower writes than M1 Air
- 8 GB base RAM requires a $200 upgrade for serious work
- Still limited to one external display without workarounds
- 60Hz display — no ProMotion option
- Midnight color is a fingerprint magnet
Samsung Galaxy Book4 15"
Pros
- Lightweight at 3.44 lbs with an aluminum build for the price
- Full-HD display is sufficient for everyday productivity
- Samsung ecosystem features like Quick Share and Phone Link
- 10-hour battery life handles a full school or work day
- HDMI port included — avoids dongles for presentations
Cons
- 60Hz FHD display is unremarkable at the $749 price point
- Only one USB-C and one USB-A port is limiting
- Soldered RAM and SSD — zero upgradeability
- No Thunderbolt or high-speed USB-C
- Integrated graphics only — no discrete GPU option
Full Specifications
| Spec | Apple MacBook Air 13" M2 | Samsung Galaxy Book4 15" |
|---|---|---|
| Software | macOS Ventura | Windows 11 Home |
| Body | ||
| Weight | 2.7 lbs (1.24 kg) | 3.44 lbs (1.56 kg) |
| Material | Aluminum | Aluminum |
| Dimensions | 11.97 x 8.46 x 0.44 inches | 14.00 x 8.93 x 0.61 inches |
| Ports | ||
| HDMI | ||
| USB-C ports | 2 | 1 |
| SD card | ||
| MagSafe | — | |
| Thunderbolt ports | 2 | — |
| USB-A ports | — | 1 |
| Battery | ||
| Battery life | Up to 18 hours | Up to 10 hours |
| Capacity | 52.6 Wh | 54 Wh |
| Display | ||
| Size | 13.6 inches | 15.6 inches |
| Type | Liquid Retina IPS | IPS anti-glare |
| Resolution | 2560 x 1664 | 1920 x 1080 |
| Refresh rate | 60Hz | 60Hz |
| Brightness (nits) | 500 | 300 |
| Storage | ||
| SSD | 256 GB (configurable to 2 TB) | 512 GB PCIe Gen 4 NVMe |
| Expandable storage | ||
| Keyboard | ||
| Backlit | ||
| Processor | ||
| RAM | 8 GB | 16 GB LPDDR5 |
| Cores | 8-core CPU, 10-core GPU | 10 cores (2P + 8E) |
| Chipset | Apple M2 | Intel Core i7-1355U (13th Gen) |
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This comparison is based on verified manufacturer specifications covering display, performance, camera, battery, and build quality. Scores are generated by analyzing specs across weighted categories on a 10-point scale. Learn more about our methodology.
Explore more in laptops, see all Apple products or all Samsung products. View full details for the Apple MacBook Air 13" M2 or the Samsung Galaxy Book4 15".

