AirPods 4

The AirPods 4 are Apple's new flagship wireless earbuds, featuring an updated design, more comfortable fit, force sensors, Adaptive EQ, spatial audio with dynamic head tracking, Active Noise Cancellation for the higher-end model, and more. Introduced in September 2024, the AirPods 4 are brand new and now is a good time to buy.

The AirPods 4 and AirPods 4 with Active Noise Cancellation have the same design, but the version without ANC is priced at $129 and the version with ANC is priced $50 higher at $179. The higher price tag also includes a MagSafe Charging Case with Find My integration, but otherwise, the feature set is the same.

$129 is a competitive price for earbuds, and $179 is the same price as the prior-generation AirPods 3. It is worth noting that the H2 chip inside the AirPods 4 provides a seamless and fully integrated pairing and device-switching experience for iPhone, iPad, Mac, and Apple TV users, which more affordable headphones from competing companies are unable to match. The H2 chip also enables features like Adaptive EQ and spatial audio with dynamic head tracking. This means that when used with Apple devices, AirPods seem to be the best option for earbuds when it comes to features.

If you are looking for AirPods with more to offer like in-ear silicone tips and better Active Noise Cancellation, there are the AirPods Pro which start at $249. For an even higher fidelity AirPods experience and an over-ear design, there are the AirPods Max which start at $549.

• AirPods 4 vs. Previous Generations Buyer's Guide: All Upgrades Compared

To get MacRumors readers the best prices on the AirPods, we have a dedicated AirPods deals guide that highlights the best sales each month.

Apple overhauled its AirPods lineup in 2024, introducing the AirPods 4. There are two AirPods 4 models this time around, the standard AirPods 4 and the AirPods 4 with Active Noise Cancellation.

Both models have the same design and are identical except for the ANC, though there are a couple of differences with the function of the charging case. Apple revamped the AirPods 4 entirely, introducing a design that is reminiscent of the AirPods Pro with shorter stems, though there are no silicone ear tips.

According to Apple, the AirPods 4 "set a new benchmark for fit and comfort" and are the most advanced and comfortable headphones the company has made with an open-ear design. Apple scanned and mapped thousands of ear shapes and used over 50 million data points with 3D photogrammetry and laser topography to create a single shape that naturally fits most users. Apple says that the refined contour offers a natural and secure fit for more people than ever. There is a built-in vent system for pressure equalization.

The AirPods 4 have a new acoustic architecture for a massive improvement in sound quality. There's a low-distortion driver and high dynamic range amplifier, plus Personalized Spatial Audio with dynamic head tracking allows for an immersive media experience. Adaptive EQ tunes music to the user's ears with inward-facing microphones that detect the audio and then adjust low and midrange frequencies to provide rich detail in each song.

Apple used the same H2 chip that's in the AirPods Pro 2 for the AirPods 4. It enables features like Voice Isolation for clearer call quality and Siri Interactions in iOS 18 so you can shake your head no or nod your head yes to respond to Siri announcements. The AirPods 4 are also ideal for gaming, providing low wireless audio latency and good voice quality when chatting with other players.

The stem is equipped with a new force sensor that can be used to play or pause media and mute or end calls with a press, plus previous controls for skipping songs and activating Siri are available. An optical in-ear sensor and motion-detecting accelerometer pause music when the AirPods are removed from the ears.

The H2 chip, advanced computational audio, and upgraded microphones made the ANC version of the AirPods 4 possible. The AirPods 4 with ANC can reduce environmental noise like airplane engines and city traffic. Transparency Mode is available to keep users aware of their environment, and Adaptive Audio blends Transparency Mode and ANC intelligently based on the user's environment. Conversation Awareness lowers the volume automatically when the user is speaking to someone nearby.

The ANC in the AirPods 4 is not as good as the AirPods Pro 2 ANC because of the open-ear design. The AirPods Pro 2 have silicone tips that fit into the ears to shut out outside sound, while the AirPods 4 do not.

The AirPods 4 have IP54 dust, sweat, and water resistance so they can hold up to intense workouts and rain.

Apple made the Charging Case over 10 percent smaller in volume than the AirPods 3 case, so it's slimmer and more portable. The case and AirPods add up to a total of 30 hours of battery life without ANC, or 20 hours of battery life with ANC turned on. Talk time is up to 20 hours.

The AirPods themselves offer up to five hours of battery life on a single charge without ANC, or four hours with ANC. Five minutes in the charging case provides around one hour of listening time.

For both models, the Charging Case has a USB-C port for charging with a USB-C cable (that is not included), but the ANC version of the AirPods 4 case also supports wireless charging with MagSafe chargers, Apple Watch chargers, and Qi and Qi2 chargers. Apple says it is the smallest charging case in the industry that supports wireless charging capabilities.

The ANC AirPods 4 Charging Case also has a built-in speaker and support for Find My for keeping track of the AirPods and the case. Both models support Bluetooth 5.3 technology.

The AirPods 4 support all of the same "magic" setup and use features like one-touch pairing, quick device switching, and support for audio sharing.

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The standard AirPods 4 are priced at $129, while the version with ANC and wireless Charging Case is priced at $179.

The AirPods 4 can be ordered from the online Apple Store and will launch on Friday, September 20.

The AirPods 4 reviews have been largely positive, with the standout feature being the optional Active Noise Cancellation (ANC) available for an extra $50. Reviewers note that ANC is a significant upgrade, bringing it closer to the level of the AirPods Pro. With the added bonus of improved Transparency Mode and Adaptive Audio, which adjusts sound based on surroundings, the AirPods 4 deliver a more immersive audio experience than previous generations.

Sound quality is another area where the AirPods 4 shine, with richer bass and clearer highs. The slightly longer battery life and improved fit have been praised, although some users may not find enough reasons to upgrade if they already own AirPods 3 or Pro models. For users of earlier models like the AirPods 2, however, the differences with ANC, fit, and sound performance are substantial.

Read our AirPods 4 review roundup for more information.

With the AirPods 4, Apple introduced a new design that's more like the AirPods Pro with a shorter stem and a new, more contoured earpiece. Apple says the AirPods 4 are the best headphones it has made with an open-ear design, setting a "new benchmark for fit and comfort."

The updated design was built using advanced modeling tools and real ears. Apple used 3D photogrammetry and laser topography to map and analyze thousands of ear shapes, and it used more than 50 million individual data points in total. As a result, Apple believes the AirPods 4 will fit even more users, with one shape that's super comfortable.

Apple designed the AirPods 4 to be lightweight and to sit at an ideal angle in the ear for comfort and the best possible audio experience. Unlike the AirPods Pro, the AirPods 4 do not have silicone tips and are instead tipless with an open-ear design.

Apple says that the new shape provides a more natural and secure fit to keep the AirPods in the ears.

The short stem of the AirPods 4 gives them a subtle look in the ear, similar to the AirPods Pro. A mesh material covers the earpiece, and there's a mesh-covered vent at the back for breathability.

As with prior AirPods, the new model is made from a white plastic material with a small bit of silver at the base, along with L and R labeling.

The AirPods 4 measure in at 1.19 inches tall (0.2 inches smaller than the prior model), 0.72 inches wide (no change), and 0.71 inches deep (no change). They weigh 4.3 grams, which is essentially unchanged from the prior model.

Stem Gestures

The AirPods 4 have a force sensor in the stem that supports multiple gestures.

• Single press - Play or pause media, answer a call, or mute or unmute.
• Double press - Skip forward in a playlist or album or end a call.
• Triple press - Skip back.
• Press and hold - Activate Siri.

Water Resistance

The AirPods 4 have an IP54 water resistance rating and are able to hold up to dust, sweat, and rain, but they should not be submerged or subjected to heavy amounts of liquid. The Charging Case has the same IP54 water resistance rating.

Apple's warranty does not cover liquid damage, so it's always best to use caution around water and other substances.

The AirPods 4 are equipped with the same H2 chip that Apple added in the AirPods Pro 2, and it powers all of the available features, including ANC in the more expensive model.

The H2 chip also enables the features AirPods have come to be known for, including fast switching between Apple devices that are signed into the same iCloud account, "Hey Siri" support, instant pairing, and Audio Sharing, which allows more than one set of AirPods to be paired to a single device.

Apple created a new acoustic architecture for the AirPods 4 with a low-distortion driver powered by a custom high dynamic range amplifier. Apple says the AirPods 4 deliver exceptional audio with deeper bass and crystal-clear highs compared to the prior model.

Adaptive EQ tunes music to your ears, using the inward-facing microphones to detect what you're hearing, then adjusting the low and midrange frequencies to provide rich detail in every song.

Sound Quality

According to Apple, the AirPods 4 bring a massive improvement in sound quality compared to the prior-generation AirPods 3.

With low wireless audio latency and high-quality voice features, the AirPods 4 are ideal for gaming.

Call Quality

Dual beamforming mesh-covered microphones cut down on the sound of the wind and ambient noise to ensure your voice sounds clear to the person on the other end of the call, and support for AAC-ELD offers full HD voice quality for FaceTime calls.

The AirPods 4 support Voice Isolation for minimizing background noise while clarifying the sound of your voice, making you easier to understand even when you're speaking in loud or windy conditions.

Personalized Spatial Audio

The AirPods 4 support personalized spatial audio featuring Dolby Atmos. Apple Music songs, TV shows, and movies can take advantage of spatial audio and it sounds like the audio is coming from all around you when the feature is enabled for an immersive, theater-like experience.

Dynamic head tracking is also available, which makes music, TV, and even Group FaceTime calls more engaging. Spatial audio algorithms and directional audio filters adjust the frequencies that each ear receives, allowing AirPods to produce sound all around the user.

Spatial audio works with Apple Music and the Apple TV app, but it is also compatible with many third-party apps.

One of the two AirPods 4 models includes support for Active Noise Cancellation, and it is the first time that Apple has put it in headphones with an open-ear design. ANC is powered by the H2 chip and the upgraded microphones that are in the AirPods 4.

With ANC, the AirPods 4 can cut down on the noise of airplane engines, HVAC systems, city traffic, and more.

The ANC is not as good as the ANC in the AirPods Pro 2 because the AirPods Pro have silicone tips to shut out surrounding sound. All of the ANC features are included.

• Transparency mode - Uses the microphones to relay sounds from the environment around you, so you can stay connected while on a call or listening to music.
• Adaptive Audio - Blends Transparency and Active Noise Cancellation in real time, tailoring noise control to your environment as it changes.
• Conversation Awareness - Senses when you're speaking to someone nearby and lowers the volume of what's playing. When you're done speaking, the volume increases.

Bluetooth

The AirPods 4 support the latest Bluetooth 5.3 specification. Bluetooth 5.3 includes enhancements that can improve reliability and energy efficiency.

Sensors

There's a motion-detecting accelerometer and a speech detecting accelerometer in the AirPods 4 in addition to an optical in-ear sensor. All of these sensors work together to power AirPods features like ear detection.

The optical in-ear sensor is designed to determine whether the AirPods are in the ear versus in a pocket or on a table, with playback pausing when the AirPods are removed from the ear.

In addition to redesigning the AirPods 4, Apple also updated the Charging Case. It's smaller than before, with a 10 percent volume reduction. The case is 1.97 inches wide, 1.82 inches tall, and 0.83 inches deep. The standard model weighs 1.14 ounces, while the ANC version weighs 1.22 ounces.

Apple removed the Setup button from the AirPods 4 case, and instead, there is a hidden capacitive button at the front that can be used for pairing the AirPods 4 and resetting them. The light on the case is also under the plastic and it does not show up unless the case is opened or the AirPods are charging.

Both AirPods fit snugly in the case, and an LED on the front lets you know when they're charging. If the light is orange, charging is ongoing, but if it is green, they're fully charged.

When the AirPods are inside the case, the magnetic lid shuts, keeping them in place when the case is in a pocket or a bag. Opening the lid causes the AirPods to connect to an Apple device or initiate pairing.

There are two versions of the Charging Case, one for the entry-level AirPods 4 and one for the AirPods 4 with ANC. Both cases have a USB-C port for charging.

The case for the more expensive ANC AirPods 4 can charge wirelessly using a MagSafe charger, Qi/Qi2 charger, or an Apple Watch Charger. The ANC AirPods 4 case also has a built-in speaker so it can play a sound to make it easier to find with the Find My app.

Without ANC, the AirPods 4 last for up to five hours on a single charge, or four hours with ANC enabled. One charge provides up to 4.5 hours of talk time.

The Charging Case brings total battery life to 30 hours of listening time without ANC, or 20 hours with ANC on. A five minute charge in the case provides around an hour of listening time or 45 minutes of talk time.

Volume, song changes, calls, and more can be done with Siri using a "Hey Siri" command, which is enabled through the H2 chip. Siri can also announce incoming notifications and let you know what text messages say when you receive them.

Siri works like it does on any other device, and the voice assistant can answer all manner of questions and perform tasks like adjusting device volume. Some sample Siri commands are listed below.

• Play some new music
• Play my "Favorites" playlist
• Skip to the next song
• Turn down the volume
• Turn up the volume
• Call mom
• Pause my music
• What's the battery life of my AirPods?
• What's the temperature outside?
• What's the battery of my AirPods?

Siri head gestures are supported, so you can nod your head yes or shake your head no to respond to Siri announcements like incoming notifications and calls.

The AirPods 4 are part of the Find My network, which leverages hundreds of millions of iPhone, iPad, and Mac devices around the world to find lost items. If your AirPods become lost, you may be able to find them through the Find My network even if they're not close by.

You can also set up Separation Alerts that let you know right away if your AirPods are left behind.

The AirPods 4 with ANC support Find My alerts thanks to the speaker include in the Charging Case.

Apple updates the firmware that runs on the AirPods 4 regularly. The current firmware version is 7A302, and it was released in September.

As an alternative to the AirPods 4, Apple offers the AirPods Pro 2, which are higher-end earbuds with Active Noise Cancellation and silicone ear tips. The AirPods Pro are now on their second generation and are priced at $249, with more information available in our roundup.

Future AirPods could include multiple health sensors that would complement the Apple Watch. AirPods could include body temperature sensing and posture monitoring, according to The Wall Street Journal. Apple is said to be testing AirPods prototypes that are able to monitor a wearer's core body temperature from within the ear. AirPods could also eventually be used to monitor posture and alert the wearer of slouching using motion sensors.

A future version of the AirPods will include integrated infrared camera modules to improve spatial experiences when paired with the Vision Pro headset. The cameras will work similarly to the Face ID system on the iPhone, scanning the area surrounding the user to better map the environment.

The IR cameras will allow for a broader range of gestures that will improve user interaction and the syncing of audio to head movement. Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo believes we could see these new AirPods as soon as 2026, but it is not yet clear if the feature will be added to the standard AirPods or a version of the AirPods Pro.

Apple wants to make advanced AR glasses that are based on the Vision Pro headset in the future, but the hardware technology does not exist for such a product as of yet. Apple has instead considered creating a pair of smart glasses that would compete with Meta's Ray-Ban Smart Glasses and Amazon's Echo Frames.

The glasses could perhaps serve as an AirPods replacement, featuring built-in speakers, cameras, health sensors, and AI capabilities. Apple is still working on the idea and it is not a product that will launch anytime soon.

• September 27 - New firmware released.
• September 19 - Updated with reviews and buyer's guide.
• September 11 - Revamped with AirPods 4 launch info.