With Apple’s launch of macOS Sequoia at WWDC 2024, Mac users are eager to know what’s new compared to macOS Sonoma, which debuted just a year earlier. While Sonoma was a solid upgrade focusing on personalization and performance, Sequoia shifts gears toward intelligence, cross-device synergy, and smarter workflows.
In this article, we’ll break down the differences between macOS Sequoia and Sonoma across major categories—so you know if the upgrade is worth it for you.
🔍 Quick Overview: Sequoia vs Sonoma
| Feature | macOS Sonoma | macOS Sequoia |
|---|---|---|
| Release Year | 2023 | 2024 |
| Code Name | Sonoma | Sequoia |
| Major Theme | Personalization & Widgets | Intelligence & Integration |
| Apple Intelligence (AI) | ❌ Not available | ✅ Available on M-series Macs |
| iPhone Mirroring | ❌ | ✅ New feature |
| Desktop Widgets | ✅ Introduced | ✅ Enhanced (interactive, resizable) |
| Safari | ✅ Profiles, faster | ✅ Highlights, video viewer, smarter Reader |
| Presenter Tools | ❌ | ✅ Presenter Preview |
| Passwords App | ❌ | ✅ Dedicated app |
| Window Management | Basic Stage Manager | ✅ Advanced window tiling |
| Notes & Messages | ✅ Rich media, reactions | ✅ Smarter, collapsible sections, math |
| Compatibility | Intel & M-series | M-series recommended for AI |
🧠 Apple Intelligence: Sequoia Gets Smarter
macOS Sequoia introduces Apple Intelligence, a new system-wide AI that helps you work faster, write better, and focus smarter. Features include:
- Text rewriting, summarizing, and proofing
- Smart priority notifications
- AI-powered Siri with ChatGPT integration
💡 macOS Sonoma has no native AI features.
🔒 Sequoia’s AI runs mostly on-device for privacy and speed—but it’s only available on M1 or later Macs.
📱 iPhone Mirroring: Total Continuity
Exclusive to macOS Sequoia, iPhone Mirroring lets you:
- Control your iPhone screen on your Mac
- Interact with iPhone apps directly
- Drag-and-drop between iPhone and Mac
macOS Sonoma supports Continuity Camera, Universal Clipboard, and Handoff, but Sequoia pushes it further.
🖥️ Widgets: Improved Interaction
macOS Sonoma brought widgets to the desktop for the first time.
macOS Sequoia refines the experience:
- Resizable widgets
- Smart fade when inactive
- Better integration with iPhone widgets—even if the app isn’t installed on your Mac
🌐 Safari: From Fast to Smart
Safari in Sonoma:
- Introduced Profiles for separating work and personal browsing
- Enhanced performance and privacy
Safari in Sequoia:
- Adds Highlights – intelligently pulls out directions, summaries, and links
- New Reader Mode with AI-powered summaries
- Picture-in-picture video upgrades
🧑🏫 Presenter Tools: Sequoia Leads the Way
If you’re often in video meetings, Sequoia’s Presenter Preview is a killer feature.
- Shows what’s shared before you go live
- Lets you manage background visuals
- Works across Zoom, FaceTime, and Teams
Sonoma had basic video conferencing background effects—but Sequoia levels it up for professionals.
🔐 Passwords App: Finally, a Dedicated Manager
In macOS Sequoia, Apple pulls iCloud Keychain into a full-fledged Passwords app, with:
- Categorized credentials
- 2FA code storage
- Windows syncing
Sonoma still relies on buried settings in Safari or System Settings.
🪟 Multitasking: Smarter in Sequoia
macOS Sonoma introduced Stage Manager and basic window snap tools.
Sequoia adds:
- More intuitive window tiling with previews
- Easy snapping into halves, thirds, and quarters
- Multi-display support improvements
📝 Notes & Messages: Smarter Everyday Tools
Both versions enhance Notes and Messages, but Sequoia introduces AI-infused refinements:
- Collapsible sections in Notes
- Math formula support
- Smarter search and emoji effects in Messages
- Scheduled messages (finally!)
💻 System Requirements: Sonoma Is More Inclusive
| Model | Sonoma | Sequoia |
|---|---|---|
| Intel Macs | ✅ Yes (some models) | ⚠️ Limited / No Apple Intelligence |
| Apple Silicon (M1+) | ✅ | ✅ Full support |
If you have an Intel Mac, you can still run Sequoia—but won’t get Apple Intelligence features.
🏁 Final Verdict: Should You Upgrade to macOS Sequoia?
| User Type | Recommendation |
|---|---|
| MacBook (Intel) | Stick with Sonoma unless you need iPhone Mirroring |
| M1 or M2/M3 Users | Upgrade to Sequoia for Apple Intelligence and performance |
| Pro Users (Meetings, Multitasking) | Go Sequoia for Presenter Preview, AI, tiling |
| Privacy-Conscious Users | Sequoia’s on-device AI gives an edge |
📌 Final Impression: Sequoia Is the Future
macOS Sequoia is more than just a facelift—it represents Apple’s first big AI leap for the Mac platform. If you’re using an M-series Mac, the upgrade is a no-brainer. With smarter tools, better multitasking, and a tightly integrated Apple ecosystem, Sequoia is built for the future of work and creativity.
Sonoma was good—but Sequoia is smarter, faster, and simply more powerful.