Apple's AirPods 4 have already been delayed. It's been almost three years since their launch. Apple AirPods 3although at the time of writing this article, Apple has not released any official details about its successors.
Fortunately, according to Bloomberg's reliable Apple commentator Mark Gurman, the wait could soon be over. He anticipates the AirPods 4 to launch in September or October 2024This prediction has sparked speculation about what Apple's next generation of truly wireless earbuds might bring.
We have already developed a comprehensive plan Guide to Apple AirPods 4which covers all the leaks we’ve seen so far, all the predictions, and everything we expect to see. In this article, we’ll go in-depth, not only outlining the features, tech specs, and design improvements we’re expecting from the AirPods 4, but also discussing innovations Apple could “borrow” from rivals like Sony, Bose, and others to stay ahead in the competitive true wireless earbuds space.
1. Bose and Nothing noise cancellation technology
If you want noise cancellation from a pair of Apple headphones, you need to invest in a pair of Apple AirPods Pro (2019) either AirPods Pro 2Regular AirPods may never have ANC, regardless of which version we're talking about.
However, if Apple really wants to improve its traditional AirPods, adding noise cancellation would be a great starting point – even the best budget earbuds from AirPods rivals offer noise cancellation these days. But where should Apple draw inspiration from? When it comes to noise cancellation, Bose is the clear leader. Our review of the AirPods Bose QuietComfort 2 Headphones gave them a perfect 5 out of 5 stars, praising their “best-in-class noise cancellation.” Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones The headphones continue this legacy and our review states that they are “still the best ANC on the market.”
It's important to note that these Bose earbuds are priced higher than we've come to expect from the AirPods 4. However, active noise cancellation is no longer a feature exclusive to high-end earbuds. Today, some of the The best noise cancelling headphones They are available in mid-range and even budget price ranges.
A great example is the Nothing Ear (a) While they don’t match Bose’s noise-cancelling performance, they still offer an immersive experience at nearly a third of the price of the QuietComfort Ultra. This shows that Apple should be able to incorporate ANC into the next generation of AirPods, even if they aren’t part of the more expensive Pro line.
2. Longer battery life thanks to Earfun and JBL
The AirPods 4 are expected to feature Apple’s latest H2 chip, which powers the AirPods Pro 2. If that’s the case, we could see not only improved sound quality through advanced computational audio, but also an increase in battery life — both of which would be very welcome upgrades.
When testing Apple's headphones for our AirPods 3 Review In 2022, we rated battery life as good. The earbuds offered up to six hours of listening time, with four additional charges from the case adding up to a total of 30 hours. While this was impressive at the time, in 2024 that performance is now average at best. While still standard for many noise-cancelling earbuds, the AirPods 3 are starting to fall behind the competition, especially when noise cancellation is turned off. This makes an improvement in battery life a key expectation for the AirPods 4.
Much like active noise cancellation (ANC), battery life is no longer the preserve of premium earbuds. In fact, plenty of affordable and mid-range options excel in this regard. Take, for example, the Earfun Air Pro 3, which offer 9.5 hours of playback with the earbuds and 36 hours total with the case. Or consider the JBL Live Beam 3, which boast an impressive 12 hours of battery life with the earbuds and up to 48 hours with the charging case.
The Apple AirPods 4 are likely to be better in terms of features, especially for iPhone owners, and battery life is not… need As its main selling point, Apple can certainly take a leaf out of these rivals' book and aim for significantly improved battery life to ensure it remains competitive in the market.
3. Improved fit and comfort from Bose, Sony and Technics
Taking people like this as an example, Bose QuietComfort 2 HeadphonesApple should improve the design, comfort, and fit of the AirPods 4. In our review of the AirPods 3, we praised their design and noted that they were a significant improvement over previous versions. Shorter stems and contoured housings made for a more comfortable fit, and we hope the AirPods 4 continue this trend with further improvements.
While the AirPods 3 were comfortable, they lacked the security needed for more intense activities. In our review, we mentioned, “We took them for a quick jog, and while the AirPods didn’t fall out of our ears, we wouldn’t be willing to bet our lives on them staying in place during a more intense workout.”
A simple solution would be to modify the design of the AirPods to include interchangeable ear tips, which would also be essential if active noise cancellation is introduced to ensure a proper seal. Most other brands already offer earbuds with customizable ear tips, such as the AirPods 2. Bose QuietComfort 2 Headphones and the EAH-AZ80 TechniquesBose headphones go a step further and come with a selection of ear tips and stability bands to ensure a secure and comfortable fit.
By incorporating these design elements, Apple could significantly improve the fit and comfort of the AirPods 4, making them not only more comfortable but also more secure for a wider range of activities.
4. Hi-Res Audio support from Nothing, Samsung and Sony
AirPods 3 only support SBC and AAC codecs, meaning no Hi-Res Audio. And while Apple Music has support for spatial and lossless audio, it still has the older AAC wireless audio codec. This puts AirPods 3 at a distinct disadvantage against other rivals, as many audio lovers want Hi-Res Audio.
Apple should learn from Sony and its headphones (most recently, the Sony WF-1000XM5) and create a codec like Sony’s LDAC. LDAC allows for listening to high-resolution audio over Bluetooth, bringing users closer to studio-quality sound anywhere. By developing a similar codec, Apple could offer a more competitive product in the wireless headphone market.
Hi-Res Audio support isn’t reserved for premium devices alone. The Nothing Ear (a) also feature LDAC Hi-Res Audio support. And Samsung users get Hi-Res support with the Samsung Galaxy Buds 2 Pro. To stay competitive, it’s time for Apple to up its audio game by supporting a better codec for the AirPods line.
5. A more workout-friendly design from Beats, Samsung and Sony
Improving comfort and stability would significantly increase the appeal of Apple’s AirPods 4 as workout-friendly earbuds. Another crucial upgrade would be increasing their water resistance rating. Currently, the AirPods 3 have an IPX4 rating, which offers basic protection against sweat and light splashes.
However, Apple could take this a step further by improving water and dust resistance, which would make the AirPods 4 a more attractive option for fitness enthusiasts and outdoor users. While the AirPods are designed to be versatile and we don’t expect them to compete with more dedicated fitness earbuds, there is room for improvement in this regard.
For example, the Samsung Galaxy Buds 2 Pro come with an IPX7 rating, meaning they are more water resistant and can be submerged in water up to 1 meter deep. Similarly, the sport-focused earphones Sony WF-SP800N It has an IP55 rating, which offers superior protection against water and dust compared to current AirPods. In addition, Apple itself Beats PowerBeats Pro Headphones They also feature an IPX7 rating, highlighting the potential for the AirPods 4 to adopt similar features to cater to more active users.
