When Apple launched not one however two completely different variations of its new AirPods 4 in September of 2024 it modified the panorama of the corporate’s lineup. And it’d simply have been a stroke of genius.
Whereas the AirPods Professional 2 and AirPods Max nonetheless sit on the very prime of Apple’s audio accent pyramid, they’re recognized portions and just too costly for a complete lot of individuals. The arrival of a brand new AirPods pairing is undoubtedly the best choice for hundreds of thousands of individuals and the AirPods 4 (ANC) is arguably the very best wi-fi earbuds for most individuals — together with me.
I have been testing the usual AirPods 4 and upgraded ANC model since not lengthy after they had been launched and I’ve used them to hearken to music, podcasts, and audiobooks for numerous hours throughout that point. I anticipated to benefit from the ANC model essentially the most, however what I did not anticipate was for them to interchange my AirPods Professional 2.
But, right here we’re and I do not see me going again to my AirPods Professional any time quickly, both. This long-term overview is not going to get into all of the nitty-gritty particulars and specs — you’ll be able to learn our preliminary AirPods 4 overview for that — however fairly why AirPods 4 have made a house for themselves in my ears in latest months.
AirPods 4 four-month overview: To ANC, or to not ANC
Consumers wanting on the prospect of choosing up a brand new pair of AirPods might want to take into account which model they wish to select. The primary distinction between the 2 is clearly the energetic noise cancelation (ANC) expertise, however it is not the one one.
A key distinction between the 2 AirPods 4 fashions is one that always will get ignored, however it may very well be a giant one relying in your charging habits. Solely the AirPods 4 (ANC) assist wi-fi charging whereas the usual AirPods 4 are restricted to charging through USB-C.
Which may not be an enormous deal for some, however should you really need wi-fi charging you are additionally going to get ANC included. In case you’re a fan of each options, it is a no-brainer.
Different options that make the ANC model compelling embody adaptive audio that may regulate the extent of noise cancelation used based mostly in your environment. Conversational Consciousness is one other function of import, one which lowers the quantity if you begin talking so you’ll be able to have a brief dialog with out manually pausing no matter’s enjoying.
In fact, getting higher options means paying extra money. The usual AirPods 4 retail for $129 whereas the ANC model will set you again $179. AirPods Professional 2 retail for $249 which suggests the $70 distinction is essential to ponder should you’re eager on getting the very best wi-fi earbuds expertise. Apple resellers are additionally operating gross sales on the AirPods line, narrowing the worth distinction between the fashions.
AirPods 4 four-month overview: An enormous design change
My earlier alternative of utilizing the AirPods Professional wasn’t simply right down to their superior sound high quality or the addition of ANC, though the latter positively helped. A part of the explanation was the easy undeniable fact that the design of ordinary AirPods merely did not agree with me. Or extra precisely, my ears.
The brand new AirPods 4 have a redesigned earbud to suit extra simply in your ears.
AirPods simply by no means felt like they had been in correctly, like they might fall out at a second’s discover and with one ill-timed transfer of my jaw. I get that some individuals do not just like the in-ear design of AirPods Professional and related earbuds, however for me, that seal was as a lot about safety because it was about bettering bass and sound leakage.
So when Apple despatched me the brand new AirPods 4 to check late final yr, I did not have significantly excessive hopes. I might used them briefly throughout a media briefing however that wasn’t sufficient time to get an actual really feel for the way they might fare in actual life.
I wasn’t anticipating what occurred after I began utilizing these items as a result of whereas they don’t seem to be fairly as safe as AirPods Professional, they don’t seem to be all that far off.
The brand new design is to thank for that, and it is one which Apple’s suitably pleased with. It says that the “new design is constructed with an unparalleled information set that makes use of superior modeling instruments, like 3D photogrammetry and laser topography, to exactly map and analyze hundreds of ear shapes and over 50 million particular person information factors in whole.”
That feels like quite a lot of information factors however figures apart, the proof is within the becoming and Apple’s declare of delivering essentially the most comfy AirPods ever appears fairly correct to me. I can put on these items all day, day by day, and I typically neglect I’ve them in after I go away my residence workplace.
That is thanks partially to the spectacular Transparency Mode function which is after all solely out there on the ANC model of AirPods 4.
The design adjustments do not cease with the earbuds, both. The charging case has had a nip and tuck as effectively.
Purchase a pair of AirPods 4 and you may discover a charging case that is greater than 10% smaller than its predecessor whereas nonetheless providing as much as 30 hours of battery life. The ANC pair comes with a wi-fi charging case that may now be powered by not simply any Qi charger but in addition an Apple Watch charger as effectively — excellent for individuals who journey and now have one fewer cable to take with them.
Apple says that the brand new case is simply 50mm extensive and the smallest within the business to assist wi-fi charging. I am unable to think about anybody making a case smaller whereas sustaining related performance, that is to make certain.
AirPods 4 four-month overview: Sounds good to me
A pair of wi-fi earbuds can have all of the bells and whistles on the planet, however they’re no good in the event that they sound unhealthy. None of Apple’s AirPods have ever allow them to down in that regard, however some do sound higher than others.
The AirPods 4 actually ought to are available in some new colours.
As somebody who beforehand used AirPods Professional earbuds, I used to be apprehensive that I might discover AirPods 4 to be missing right here, and I used to be pleasantly stunned. Bass was one space I anticipated the AirPods 4 to essentially wrestle due to their open design, however I needn’t have apprehensive.
Now, it is essential to notice right here that I am no audiophile and I haven’t got any fancy {hardware} to measure something. I am purely utilizing my ears as a gauge and I am keen to wager that is the case for most individuals buying within the AirPods 4 pool of wi-fi earbuds, too.
If that is you, I can inform you now that you simply will not be disillusioned. I’ve listened to music, podcasts, and audiobooks and so they’ve all sounded nice. Deep and rumbly when wanted, but mild and crisp when it is referred to as for.
I’ve additionally taken extra telephone calls than I might like over the previous couple of months of testing the AirPods 4 and I’ve but to have a difficulty. I may hear the caller and so they may hear me, what extra may you ask for?
AirPods 4 four-month overview: AirPods Professional lite
In case it is not already clear, I am a giant fan of what Apple has finished with the AirPods 4, and significantly the incarnation with ANC assist. They’re mainly AirPods Professional-lite and supply most of the identical options in a much less controversial kind issue and at a less expensive value.
AirPods 4 with ANC supply AirPods Professional-like options for much less.
AirPods 4 may not sound nearly as good as AirPods Professional 2, though I might argue most individuals would not discover a distinction. And should you’re all about that noise isolation and avoiding leakage you are most likely nonetheless higher off going with Apple’s premium earbuds.
For most individuals, more often than not, AirPods 4 are the best way to go. That’s, after all, till we see what the following model of Apple’s AirPods Professional has to supply.
The downsides? The primary one for me is the colour. In a world the place the Apple-owned Beats affords earbuds in a mess of colours, why are AirPods caught with boring white?
Come on, Apple. It is time to deliver a few of these AirPods Max colours to the remainder of the lineup.
AirPods 4 four-month overview: Execs
- New design that is simpler and extra comfy to put on than ever earlier than.
- ANC assist means consumers do not essentially should go for AirPods Professional to get the very best options.
- The brand new ANC charging case is smaller but helps wi-fi charging.
- AirPods 4 sound surprisingly nice contemplating their open design, with stronger bass than anticipated.
AirPods 4 four-month overview: Cons
- It is time AirPods got here in one thing apart from white.
- Two variations of AirPods 4 could be complicated, and the naming scheme would not assist.
- The dearth of quantity controls is a ache should you’re used to AirPods Professional 2.
AirPods 4 Score: 4 out of 5
The place to purchase AirPods 4
You should purchase Apple’s AirPods 4 at Amazon, with reductions in impact on the earbuds with ANC and with out. Browse the finest AirPods offers in our devoted AirPods Value Information, which is recurrently up to date to make sure it displays the very best offers.