Apple AirPods 4 and AirPods 4 with ANC - Choosing the Right Pods Just Got a Lot Harder

Well, if there was one common theme to come out of Apple's September product launch, for me it was all about narrowing the gap between Pro and non-Pro devices.

As I've already discussed in my reviews to date, the base-model iPhone 16 and 16 Plus got the same new Camera Control button as the Pros.

The Series 10 Apple Watch has adopted many of the Watch Ultra's features and even has a slightly larger display.

So was it any surprise AirPods 4 also got a premium makeover?

This review is a bit of a weird three-way as I'll be comparing the AirPods 4 with the AirPods 4 with Active Noise Cancellation - but then I'll also be comparing both of them with the AirPods Pro 2. That's because your "basic" AirPods ain't so basic anymore.

Let's start with what the two new AirPods 4 models have in common, because it's quite a lot.

In fact, as far as I can tell, they look exactly the same. There doesn't seem to be any difference in size or shape and size-wise, the charging cases also appear to be identical.

This is mostly fantastic news. Apple has gone to great lengths to improve the shape of its AirPods. I never used to be much of a fan of the open-fit design. Not only did I miss the passive noise cancellation you get with the nice, tight seal of a set of silicone tips but I always found they just fell out a lot. This is only to be expected, right? If you have earbuds that merely sit on your ears, rather than in them, they might be moire comfortable but obviously they're not going to be very secure.

Except, now they are.

I've been wearing the new AirPods everywhere; around the house, in the kitchen, walking the dog, working in the garden, cleaning out my man cave... I haven't had a single bud fall out yet. So I can personally attest to a major improvement in fit. Both AirPod 4 options carry an IP54 dust/sweat/water resistance rating so yes, they're potentially now the most comfortable sound option for workouts.

Both have the same pinch controls on the stem for playing/pausing/answering calls etc. Unfortunately, there's no volume control by sliding your finger up and down the stem like there is on the AirPods Pro 2.

However, they do have the same H2 chip as the AirPods Pro 2 and this brings many advantages, not least of which is a big improvement to the sound quality.

You get full Spatial Audio performance, which puts you right in the middle of the action, whether you're gaming, listening to music or watching a movie.

If you own an Apple TV streaming box, I recommend watching with a pair of these AirPods. They're so comfortable you can happily wear them for hours on end and the surround-sound effects generated by the Spatial Audio technology genuinely rival my home-theatre speakers.

As far as music appreciation goes, AirPods have been renowned for their accuracy and clarity from the very beginning so it stands to reason these qualities have only continued to improve, four generations on.

The driving beat of RUFUS DU SOL's "On My Knees" is powerful, precise and deep - without any hint of distortion.

"King of Pain" by the Police sounds so pure, so restrained... and then, as the track grows layer by layer - drums in the second verse, muted guitars in second chorus - the soundscape expands accordingly, eventually surrounding you with multiple vocal tracks. It's a perfect sonic recipe and the AirPods 4 lets you pick out every ingredient.

The inward-facing mic is constantly listening to exactly what you are, adapting the EQ specifically for you.

The AirPods also do an amazing job of Voice Isolation - even the non-ANC version has this feature. So although my mum has an uncanny ability to call me when I'm out walking the dog, she can still hear me in crystal clarity, no matter how windy it is.

Another feature which is relatively new to AirPods Pro 2 is also on both AirPods 4 models - they can sense if you're nodding or shaking your head. This means you can answer a call with a nod or dismiss a notification with a shake. I thought this would just be a gimmick but I've been amazed how often I find myself shaking away messages I don't need read out in full. This is great when you've got both hands in the sink and can't immediately access your phone or watch.

One little quibble I've always had with AirPods is how hard they are to get out of the case. Because it's so compact - and these are the smallest cases yet - my clumsy digits often scrabble around trying to get a decent grip on the AirPods' glossy surface. Perhaps I need to grow my nails?

While we're talking cases, lets get into what makes these two new models different. While both now charge with USB-C (hallelujah) the ANC AirPods 4 case also charges wirelessly and will even MagSafe to an Apple Watch charging puck. This feature alone would be enough for me to consider going with the more expensive option. The case also has a speaker for Find My alerts.

Battery life is where the AirPods 4 still come up a little short. Apple claims about 5 hours listening on a full charge and an hour so less on the ANC model with that feature activated. 5 hours is fine but there are plenty of other options out there that'll last a lot longer. At least you'll get five or six full charges out of the case.

Then we come to the Active Noise Cancelling itself. When I first heard Apple had decided to bring this feature to an open fit design, I was skeptical - although I have come across the combo a few times before, with varying results.

I don't know what I was worried about. It's very rare for Apple to introduce a feature that hasn't been designed to death and rigorously tested. Whether you choose full ANC, Adaptive mode or allow Transparency to let the outside world in, I think you'll be just as impressed as I was with how well it works with this form factor. No, it isn't as effective as the ANC on the AirPods Pro 2 - that tight seal I talked about earlier is always going to provide an extra level of sound blocking you don't get with the open fit. But when compared with the non-ANC AirPods 4 the difference really is quite stark.

What it all boils down to is there is now an AirPods model to suit all tastes and most budgets. And just because you prefer an open fit, doesn't mean you have to miss out on all the premium features.

    

Click here for more information and pricing on the Apple AirPods 4 and AirPods with ANC.