Since the debut of the 15-inch M2 MacBook Air just under two weeks ago, the tech community has been buzzing with enthusiasm, particularly about its larger display and chassis. However, a recent teardown reveals that while the 15-inch model boasts a 25 percent larger battery compared to its 13-inch counterpart, its battery life does not last as long.
Apple’s 15-Inch MacBook Air matches 13-Inch model’s battery life, despite larger battery
Despite the difference in battery capacities, both the 15-inch and 13-inch models of the MacBook Air offer similar battery life. A teardown video highlights the challenging repairability of the 15-inch MacBook Air, which received a modest repairability score of just 3 out of 10. The teardown also revealed reinforced hinges in the new model, designed to support the weight of the larger display.
While the device shares similarities with the 13-inch version, it features several internal changes. Notably, the larger chassis accommodates an upgraded six-speaker setup, as opposed to four on the 13-inch model. Although the increased chassis size allows for a 25 percent larger battery, the boost in capacity does not translate to extended battery life.
Apple maintains that despite the battery size increase, users can expect similar usage duration when compared to the 13-inch model. There are various reasons for this parity in battery life despite varying capacities. Both models are powered by the M2 chip, albeit with slight configuration differences. The base model of the 15-inch MacBook Air, for example, offers an 8-core CPU similar to the 13-inch version but incorporates two additional GPU cores for improved graphical performance.
The primary reason why both models share the same battery life is the 15-inch model’s requirement to power a larger display. Moreover, the enhanced speaker system in the 15-inch version consumes additional battery compared to its 13.6-inch counterpart. Taking all these factors into account, both variants of the MacBook Air deliver comparable battery performance.
Apple plans to update both MacBook Air models with an M3 chip later this year or early next year, promising further battery enhancements.
(via iFixit)
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