MacBook Air 2022: release date, price, and specifications

A new MacBook Air is expected in 2022 – here's what we know so far from leaks and rumours.

Jan 22, 2022 - 13:35

The MacBook Air 2022 is shaping up to be one of the year's most anticipated technological announcements. The previous MacBook Air sent shockwaves through the laptop world thanks to its ultra-powerful Apple processor, so it's no surprise that people are curious about the MacBook Air 2022 release date and price.

Since the middle of last year, there have been hints and leaks about the new MacBook Air 2022 models, so we have a pretty good idea of what they're likely to be. It appears that Apple will build on what people loved about the MacBook Air (M1, 2020) and incorporate elements from the much-loved new 24-inch iMac (2021) and fantastic new MacBook Pro 14-inch and 16-inch models (2021).

It's expected that Apple will hold a Spring Event in a few months, as it has in recent years, and this could be where the new-look MacBook Air 2022 debuts – the new-look iMac debuted at the same event last year.

We'll go over the stories and leaks that have led us to what we know and expect about the MacBook Air 2022 so far, including the features that will undoubtedly keep it at the top of our lists of the best laptops and best lightweight laptops.

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MACBOOK AIR 2022: RELEASE DATE

There are two major possibilities here: the MacBook Air will be released in March or April at a special spring event (along with an iPhone SE 5G and a new iPad Air), or it will be released at the end of the year, likely slightly after the iPhone 14.

Throughout last year, reports suggested that the MacBook Air 2022 would be released near the end of 2021, or in the first half/middle of 2022. However, a growing number of high-profile leakers and analysts are shifting their predictions to the second half of 2022.

So, for the time being, we'll hope for it to appear at the next Apple Event, but we won't hold our breath.

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MACBOOK AIR 2022: PRICE

The current MacBook Air starts at £999/$999, so the big question here is whether the new model will be a direct replacement for the current one, or whether Apple will introduce the new model as a higher-end version of the MacBook Air, similar to how the new 14-inch MacBook Pro did not replace the MacBook Pro 13-inch (M1, 2020).

Some rumours and leaks have definitely pointed in that direction – there's a possibility that the new model will have a larger screen, and that the existing model will be reduced in price to make way.

Given that the current MacBook Air is effectively always available with a £100/$100 discount, that appears to be a distinct possibility. The new model could cost around £1200/$1200, with a sleeker design and technological advancements to justify the higher price. And speaking of which...

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MACBOOK AIR 2022: EXPECTED FEATURES

Naturally, the MacBook Air 2022 is expected to include Apple's next-generation processor, which we assume will be known as the M2. We don't know what to expect from this because the M1 is already miles ahead of the competition – it could just be minor tweaks in all areas.

The big news about the MacBook Air is that it's rumoured to be significantly thinner and lighter than the current model, and it'll be available in a variety of cool colours, just like the 24-inch iMac, iPad Air (2020), and iPad mini 6.

This information comes from a reported leak of the new MacBook Airs' body, which was turned into a full render.

This was followed by a leak claiming that the new MacBook Airs would have mini-LED screens like the new 14-inch and 16-inch MacBook Pros, but I believe this is unlikely. I believe Apple will reserve the impressive HDR screens for its 'pro' machines for the time being, but we may see an increase in the brightness of the MacBook Air's screen as well as an increase in size (and, likely, resolution).

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However, that report also mentions that MagSafe will return to the MacBook Air, as it has on the MacBook Pros, which I believe is very likely. I doubt the new MacBook Air will get any additional ports – the two USB-C ports and headphone jack appear to be all it can handle if it's to be super-super-thin.

A better webcam also appears to be certain. And I'd bet on battery life remaining roughly the same as it is now – which, in a much thinner body, will be an impressive feat in and of itself.