Good news for AirPods lovers! Apple's AirPods 4 are here, in two variants! Plus, Apple has introduced major updates across the AirPods lineup. AirPods 4 and AirPods 4 with Active Noise Cancellation just made their entrance at Apple's highly-acclaimed It's Glowtime iPhone 16 event.
We shouldn't be surprised: Apple's biggest AirPods launch to date was prophesied earlier this year, and we have to give Apple credit for that being what happened.
So here we are. Here’s all the lowdown from Apple Park (yes, we’ve got our people on the ground, but if you need to catch up, our Glowtime live blog is the place to go) and here are the key differences between the two sets of AirPods.
Oh, and in case you came here looking for them, the cheapest pair is probably the long-awaited AirPods “Lite.” Meanwhile, the AirPods Pro 3 haven't arrived yet, but there have been several software updates.
And while the new AirPods Max have arrived (to some extent) at Apple Park, it's not the lossless audio support we might have hoped for.
That said, we'd prefer two sets of brand new AirPods over none (we've been waiting a while).
@techradar ♬ original sound – TechRadar
AirPods 4: The launch of the dual AirPods that you should know about
The design of both sets is… well, at first glance, it's just another day at the office for Apple (and if you wanted the purple color Apple once planned, you're in for a disappointment), but Apple has worked extensively on its open-ear size, developing over 50 million size mapping tables, and there's an “all-new acoustic architecture” in what Apple calls its “best AirPods design yet, in this open-ear design.”
As for specifications, what stands out is the inclusion of Apple's H2 chip in both pairs.
This means both models support custom spatial audio and gesture detection, and machine learning is used to improve hands-free calling. You'll be able to say no with your head or yes with your head in response to Siri announcements. Voice isolation technology also promises to instantly remove extraneous noise on calls.
Additionally, both pairs of earbuds feature a force sensor, which you can squeeze to play or pause music or end (or mute) calls.
Now, Active Noise Cancellation — it’s only on the top set (a first for non-Pro AirPods, and a first for this open-back AirPods design) — along with improved microphones and processing. You also get support for Conversation Awareness (which reduces playback when you’re talking) and wireless charging support in the case for the pricier pair, which now also includes a speaker for easier Find My compatibility. The cheaper case charges via USB-C, of course, and it’s also the smallest case ever made for AirPods.
Battery life was one area that could use some improvement in 2024 on Apple’s pioneering earbuds, and Tim Cook’s giant has… well, it hasn’t said much about the endurance of these new Spatial Audio-compatible earbuds. All we have is a slightly disappointing claim of 30 hours total (yes, that’s all we have so far).
The more expensive AirPods 4 also feature a transparency mode and adaptive audio, which automatically adjusts noise cancellation levels as you move through different environments.
Price? Of course, it’s a big factor when considering whether to buy a new pair of AirPods. You won’t be surprised to learn that while they may soon feature in our guide to the best noise-cancelling headphones, these aren’t a budget pair of truly wireless earbuds either. That said, they’re not ridiculously expensive either, at $179 / AU$299 for the AirPods 4 with active noise cancellation (so likely £179) and $129 / £129 / AU$219 for the entry-level AirPods 4.
Availability? September 20th.
Considering the AirPods 3 released in 2021 came with a price tag of $179 / £169 / AU$279 and the late 2022 AirPods Pro 2 came with a retail price of $249 / £249 / AU$399, that’s (dare we say it?) a sensible price point from Apple. Because Apple.
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