TheApple AirPods 4andAirPods 4 with ANChere — yes , there are two interlingual rendition of Apple ’s most affordablewireless earbuds , with a bare $ 50 separate them . But that bit of immediate payment belies a pretty large delta in glasses .

So what ’s new ? What ’s dissimilar ? And which should you pass your money on ?

Here ’s everything you need to know .

AirPods 4 and AirPods 4 with ANC

Apple announced the new version of its iconic and massively popular wireless earbuds on September 9 , 2024 , along with theiPhone 16 , theApple Watch Series 10 , and some pretty major change inhearing health to the AirPods Pro 2 .

However , Apple did n’t just announce a new generation of AirPods , it herald two new fashion model . TheAirPods 4become the new entry - level earbuds , supersede both thesecond - gen AirPodsandthird - gen AirPods , which Apple had remain to trade until the AirPods 4 announcement . Meanwhile , an upgraded version make love as the AirPods 4 with ANC becomes Apple ’s mid - tier offer .

Physically , the two new models are very , with a young soma that Apple claim makes them the most comfortable AirPods the society has ever made . Though theAirPods 4 with ANChas noise cancellation as the name suggests , they accomplish this without the use of silicone polymer eartips , something you ’ll only find on theAirPods Pro 2 .

The new earbuds chuck the tap controls of the second - gen , opting instead for the compressible force - sense controls on the stems used by the third - gen and AirPods Pro . Apple has also added resistance to rubble , giving the new earbuds anIP54 military rating .

Also changed is the charging face , which Apple says is now 10 % little than the AirPods 3 .

Pricing and availability

At $ 129 , theAirPods 4are the same terms as the now - stop second - gen AirPods , while theAirPods 4 with ANCcost $ 179 — the same price as the discontinued third - gen model .

Though Apple no longer sells the second- or third - gen AirPods immediately from its online or brick - and - mortar store , you may bear that other retailers will begin bid discounts on their stay stock-taking , make water it a serious time to purchase if you do n’t require the latest and greatest models .

Features

The fourth - gen AirPods use Apple ’s H2 chip , the same processor happen in the AirPods Pro 2 . This enable a identification number of feature like audio - share-out , individualise spatial audio with head tracking , voice isolation on call , and the power to expend headland gesture to answer to Siri prompts — something Apple calls Siri Interactions .

Both models can consign via USB - C. Now that Apple has update theAirPods Max with USB - Ccharging , the integral AirPods family has fully migrated to the new port wine . inquisitively , Apple is declining to let in a USB - blow charging cable television with the AirPods 4 good example , marking the first clock time the companionship has sold earbuds without a line . Apple - owned beat made this move when it released theBeats Solo Budsearlier in 2024 , which suggests cable - less earbuds may become the new average .

That certainly wo n’t be a problem for the AirPods 4 with ANC . In addition to its active noise cancellation feature article , its charging case works with any Qi tuner charging Master of Arts in Teaching or the MagSafe charger for the Apple Watch . This , agree to Apple , makes the AirPods 4 with ANC ’s case the smallest in the world to proffer wireless charging .

Like the AirPods Pro 2 , the AirPods 4 with ANC case also has a built - in speaker to aid with locate it when using Apple ’s Find My app . However , it does not have a built - in lanyard loop like the Pro ’s pillow slip .

Both modelling get a raw acoustic architecture : an Apple - designed low - deformation number one wood powered by a in high spirits dynamic range amplifier . The result , fit in to Apple , is “ exceptional item , with deeper bass and crystal - clear highs . ”

New for the AirPods 4 is much good voice call caliber when using FaceTime . The earbuds contain the AAC - ELD codec for a gamey - faithfulness replica of your vocalization along with very low latency . The feature affirm quality levels up to 16 - bit/48kHz , and it work when multiplayer gaming too .

Noise cancellation without eartips

We ’ve get word companies seek to provide combat-ready disturbance cancellation on semi - open wireless buds in the past . The results have been less than impressive . Samsung’sGalaxy Buds LiveandGalaxy Buds 3offer ANC without eartips , and neither allow meaningful reductions in noise .

The AirPods 4 with ANC are much more successful , as Caleb Denison notes in his full review .

The ANC version of the AirPods also get transparency mode plus adaptative audio , which go ANC and transparence to tally your condition . Conversational knowingness lets the earbuds flip from ANC to transparency when you start speaking , while at the same time dropping the volume of your euphony or podcast so you’re able to find out the other person .

Battery life

One of the few domain that has n’t change much on the fouth - gen AirPods is barrage life .

In fact , it may have gotten slightly uncollectible . Apple says you ’ll get up to five hr per charge on the new manikin ( up to four if you ’re using ANC ) , with 30 hr of total playday when you let in the case ’s capacity . The late generation had the same full time , but with six hours per charge .

Five minutes in the charging display case will buy you about an extra hour of listening time .

From ANC to Pro

With the new shape , quilt , and available ANC on the AirPods 4 , you may be wondering if it ’s still deserving pay more for the AirPods Pro 2 .

In some ways , this is a trick question . If you hate the belief of silicone polymer in your ear , the AirPods Pro 2 will never be your loving cup of tea . But if you do n’t bear in mind the use of eartips , the Pro still offer in force sound quality ( specially in noisy environments ) and their ANC remain the estimable that Apple offers .

The AirPods Pro 2 also offer a unique advantagefor those have-to doe with with hearing health : find out protection , a audience test , and hearing financial aid features were all add together with the dismission of iOS 18.1 software program for the iPhone . It ’s not available in all countries yet , but it position the AirPods Pro 2 in a year of their own .