Apple MacBook Air 13" M4 vs Samsung Galaxy Book4 Pro
The Verdict
Apple's M4 MacBook Air offers exceptional value at $1,099, delivering class-leading efficiency with up to 18 hours of battery life and a pristine 13.6-inch Liquid Retina display at 500 nits. Samsung's Galaxy Book4 Pro commands a $350 premium for a larger 16-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X screen with 120Hz refresh rate and superior port flexibility (USB-A, SD card), plus a more powerful Intel Core Ultra 7 processor. Performance-wise, the M4's 10-core unified architecture trades blows with Intel's hybrid 16-core design depending on workload. Battery capacity favors Samsung (76 Wh vs 52.6 Wh), yet real-world runtime appears comparable due to M4 efficiency. For content creators needing larger canvas and expandable storage, the Galaxy Book4 Pro justifies its cost; for everyday users prioritizing portability and battery longevity, the MacBook Air M4 is the smarter purchase.
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 Pro if…
- →Gorgeous Dynamic AMOLED 2X display with vivid color
- →Slim 12.5 mm profile for a 16-inch laptop
- →Excellent Samsung ecosystem integration with Galaxy devices
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 Pro
Pros
- Gorgeous Dynamic AMOLED 2X display with vivid color
- Slim 12.5 mm profile for a 16-inch laptop
- Excellent Samsung ecosystem integration with Galaxy devices
- Good port selection including SD card and HDMI
- Up to 15-hour battery life is class-leading
Cons
- No discrete GPU option on this model
- RAM and SSD are soldered — no upgrade path
- Samsung DeX for PC still limited in scope
- AMOLED display may develop burn-in over time
- Higher price than similarly-specced Windows ultrabooks
Full Specifications
| Spec | Apple MacBook Air 13" M4 | Samsung Galaxy Book4 Pro |
|---|---|---|
| Software | macOS Sequoia | Windows 11 Home |
| Body | ||
| Weight | 2.7 lbs (1.24 kg) | 1.55 kg |
| Material | Recycled aluminum | Aluminum |
| Dimensions | 11.97 x 8.46 x 0.44 inches | 355.4 x 227.9 x 12.5 mm |
| Ports | ||
| HDMI | 1 | |
| USB-C ports | 2 | 1 |
| SD card | ||
| MagSafe | — | |
| Thunderbolt ports | 2 | 2 |
| USB-A ports | — | 2 |
| Battery | ||
| Battery life | Up to 18 hours | Up to 15 hours mixed use |
| Capacity | 52.6 Wh | 76 Wh |
| Display | ||
| Size | 13.6 inches | 16.0 inches |
| Type | Liquid Retina IPS | Dynamic AMOLED 2X |
| Resolution | 2560 x 1664 | 2880 x 1800 |
| Refresh rate | 60Hz | 120Hz |
| Brightness (nits) | 500 | 500 |
| Storage | ||
| SSD | 256 GB (configurable to 2 TB) | 512 GB NVMe |
| Expandable storage | ||
| Keyboard | ||
| Backlit | ||
| Touch Bar | — | |
| Processor | ||
| RAM | 16 GB | 16 GB LPDDR5x |
| Cores | 10-core CPU, 10-core GPU | 16-core (6P+8E+2LPE) |
| Chipset | Apple M4 | Intel Core Ultra 7 155H |
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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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