Apple AirPods 4 Hands-On: This Time With ANC

Apple didn’t present one, nor two, but three The AirPods 4 were unveiled at the iPhone 16 Glowtime event. The first version is the AirPods 4, which doesn’t have active noise cancellation. The second version is the AirPods 4, which has active noise cancellation and wireless charging. The third version is the AirPods Pro 2, but it has a useful feature that helps people determine if they need additional hearing assistance.

I haven’t spent much time with the AirPods 4, but I have listened to the AirPods 4’s ANC. It drowned out the noise of the Steve Jobs Theater. There was a small glitch when switching ANC to Transparency mode, which lets you adapt to the environment, and for a second the two pods were out of sync. But I suspect that’s due to the busy room full of dueling connections. The real test is how well it works, as Apple demonstrated, as you walk between a noisy construction site and a subway station.

I also tried wearing the new AirPods Max for a minute. They now have a USB-C port and come in a range of new colors, including blue, purple, midnight, starry sky, and orange. I hadn’t realized how bass-focused the AirPods Max were, but I can see why they remain a popular staple in the walled garden. Still, it’s disappointing that we haven’t seen any more hardware upgrades from the Maxes, especially after that long wait between updates.

The AirPods 4 will have different prices. The regular AirPods will cost $130, while those with ANC will cost $180. The AirPods Pro 2 remain at $250, and the new AirPods Max with USB-C are $550. All go on sale the same day as the iPhone 16, September 20.