Apple MacBook Air 13" M4 vs Samsung Galaxy Book4 15"
The Verdict
Apple's M4 MacBook Air costs $350 more but delivers superior performance, exceptional battery life rated at 18 hours versus Samsung's 10 hours, and a sharper 2560x1664 display versus 1920x1080. The M4's unified architecture excels at creative work and everyday tasks, while macOS offers seamless integration for Apple ecosystem users. Samsung's Galaxy Book4 provides real value at $749, featuring a larger 15.6-inch screen, traditional HDMI and USB-A ports for legacy device compatibility, and double the base storage at 512GB. However, Intel's Core i7-1355U trails M4 performance noticeably, battery drains 45% faster, and the 300-nit display feels dimmer. Weight matters too: MacBook Air's 2.7 lbs beats Galaxy Book4's 3.44 lbs for portability. Choose the MacBook Air if you prioritize performance, battery endurance, and ecosystem benefits; select Samsung if budget is paramount and you need maximum screen real estate with traditional ports.
Who Should Buy
Buy the Apple MacBook Air 13" M4 if…
- →M4 chip is a massive leap over M3 — handles demanding creative workflows
- →16 GB RAM standard across all configurations
- →Under 2.7 lbs — one of the lightest capable laptops available
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" M4
Pros
- M4 chip is a massive leap over M3 — handles demanding creative workflows
- 16 GB RAM standard across all configurations
- Under 2.7 lbs — one of the lightest capable laptops available
- 18-hour battery life rivals the 15-inch model
- Fanless, completely silent operation
Cons
- 60Hz display — no ProMotion or high-refresh option
- 256 GB base storage requires upgrading for most users
- Only two Thunderbolt ports limits connectivity
- 13.6-inch screen feels cramped for multitasking
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" M4 | Samsung Galaxy Book4 15" |
|---|---|---|
| Software | macOS Sequoia | Windows 11 Home |
| Body | ||
| Weight | 2.7 lbs (1.24 kg) | 3.44 lbs (1.56 kg) |
| Material | Recycled 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 | 16 GB | 16 GB LPDDR5 |
| Cores | 10-core CPU, 10-core GPU | 10 cores (2P + 8E) |
| Chipset | Apple M4 | 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" M4 or the Samsung Galaxy Book4 15".