Apple's New AirPods Have a Secret Button Nobody's Talking About

At yesterday’s big iPhone 16 event, Apple flooded the area with news about AirPods. Its premium noise-canceling earbuds, the AirPods Pro, boast a clinical-grade hearing aid feature (awesome) via a software update. And its noise-canceling over-ear headphones, the AirPods Max, have been updated with USB-C charging and new color options (Admittedly, a little disappointing).

The biggest AirPods news of the day was undoubtedly its two new wireless earbuds: the AirPods 4 ($129) and AirPods 4 with active noise cancellation ($179). They replace the AirPods and AirPods 3, respectively, as Apple’s entry-level and mid-range wireless earbuds.

AirPods 4 launch day — A first look at the AirPods 4 at Apple’s “It’s Glowtime” event.

Both AirPods 4 models look identical and quite similar to the AirPods 3 (now abandoned), because they have an open-ear design (no silicone tips) with playback controls on the stem. But the premium AirPods 4 add active noise cancellation and transparency modes, as well as a case that supports wireless charging and has a built-in speaker.

Speaking of the AirPods 4 charging case, both models feature the smallest and lightest case of any AirPods to date. They’re also different in ways that Apple hasn’t really talked about (if at all).