Apple MacBook Air 15" M3 vs Samsung Galaxy Book4 15"
The Verdict
Apple's MacBook Air 15 M3 and Samsung's Galaxy Book4 15 serve different user needs at substantially different price points. The MacBook Air commands a $550 premium with its superior 2880x1864 Liquid Retina display (500 nits brightness versus 300 nits), exceptional 18-hour battery life from a 66.5 Wh cell, and the efficient M3 chip that handles everyday tasks and creative work with minimal fan noise. Its aluminum unibody at 1.51 kg feels lighter and more premium. However, the Galaxy Book4 offers surprising value with double the storage (512GB versus 256GB), 16GB RAM versus 8GB, and a more versatile port selection including HDMI and USB-A. The Intel Core i7-1355U provides adequate performance for productivity, though it generates more heat than the M3. Battery life lags noticeably at 10 hours. Windows 11 provides broader software compatibility, while macOS excels in cohesion and user experience. Choose the MacBook Air if you prioritize display quality, battery endurance, and ecosystem integration. Pick the Galaxy Book4 if budget matters most, you need Windows software, or require maximum expandability and traditional ports. The MacBook Air's advantages justify its price for creative professionals; the Galaxy Book4 represents better value for budget-conscious productivity users.
Who Should Buy
Buy the Apple MacBook Air 15" M3 if…
- →Large 15-inch display in a thin, light chassis
- →Silent fanless design
- →Strong M3 performance for everyday workloads
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 15" M3
Pros
- Large 15-inch display in a thin, light chassis
- Silent fanless design
- Strong M3 performance for everyday workloads
- All-day 18-hour battery life
- Six-speaker sound system with Spatial Audio
Cons
- Only two Thunderbolt ports
- 8 GB base RAM is tight for power users
- No ProMotion or HDR display
- 256 GB base SSD has slower single-chip speeds
- No HDMI or SD card slot
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 15" M3 | Samsung Galaxy Book4 15" |
|---|---|---|
| Software | macOS Sequoia | Windows 11 Home |
| Body | ||
| Weight | 1.51 kg | 3.44 lbs (1.56 kg) |
| Material | Aluminum unibody | Aluminum |
| Dimensions | 340.4 x 237.6 x 11.5 mm | 14.00 x 8.93 x 0.61 inches |
| Ports | ||
| MagSafe | — | |
| Thunderbolt ports | 2 | — |
| HDMI | — | |
| USB-A ports | — | 1 |
| USB-C ports | — | 1 |
| SD card | — | |
| Battery | ||
| Battery life | Up to 18 hours wireless web | Up to 10 hours |
| Capacity | 66.5 Wh | 54 Wh |
| Display | ||
| Size | 15.3 inches | 15.6 inches |
| Type | Liquid Retina IPS LED | IPS anti-glare |
| Resolution | 2880 x 1864 | 1920 x 1080 |
| Refresh rate | 60Hz | 60Hz |
| Brightness (nits) | 500 | 300 |
| Storage | ||
| SSD | 256 GB | 512 GB PCIe Gen 4 NVMe |
| Expandable storage | ||
| Keyboard | ||
| Backlit | ||
| Touch Bar | — | |
| Processor | ||
| RAM | 8 GB unified | 16 GB LPDDR5 |
| Cores | 8-core CPU, 10-core GPU | 10 cores (2P + 8E) |
| Chipset | Apple M3 | 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.
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