Why You Should Upgrade to Apple AirPods 4 (and Where to Pre-Order)

This week, tech giant Apple introduced the next generation of its Apple AirPods wireless earbuds. The fourth-generation AirPods, available with or without active noise cancellation, will ship on September 20. Pre-orders for the Apple AirPods 4 have already begun.

Wondering what makes this new generation of Apple earbuds so special? Read on to find out what’s new and what’s different about the Apple AirPods 4, or tap the button below to pre-order yours now.

Pro tip:For more help choosing the ideal AirPods for your needs and budget, check out our recently updated guide AirPods Buying Guide 2024.

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Meet the new, affordable Apple AirPods 4 wireless earbuds

The AirPods 4 are a more budget-friendly version of Apple’s wireless earbuds, compared to Apple’s premium AirPods Pro 2. These new earbuds pair effortlessly with other Apple products, including the company’s new iPhone 16 and the Apple Watch 10 with something new sleep apnea detection.

Apple AirPods 4 are designed for superior sound and ultimate comfort, allowing you to enjoy crystal-clear audio and hands-free calling, as well as interact with Siri using your voice. Battery life is up to 5 hours on a single charge, or 30 hours total with the included battery USB-C Charging case. Powered by Apple’s H2 processor (the previous generation used the H1 chip), these wireless earbuds feature improved voice isolation, so even if you’re on a hands-free call in a noisy environment, the person you’re talking to will be able to hear you.

AirPods 4 are now rated IP54 for dust, sweat, and water resistance, another improvement over the previous-generation model.

Pro tip:You’ll often find the premium AirPods Pro 2 (normally $249) on sale on Amazon, as well as at Best Buy and other retailers for just $190. If you can afford the upgrade, we think it’s worth it.

Apple AirPods 4

Retailing for $129, the base model of the AirPods 4 offers personalized spatial audio with dynamic head tracking. This means that audio from TV shows and movies, as well as music and podcasts, will sound as if they’re happening all around you. This makes for a much more immersive listening experience compared to generic stereo earbuds.

In addition to being able to control the AirPods 4 using the Apple equipment they are paired with, you can also use Siri voice commands or the built-in force sensors present in the stem of each earphone.

You can expect up to five hours of listening time on a single charge. However, the charging case lets you charge AirPods up to six times without the need for an external power source, for a total of 30 hours of listening time. With the fast-charging feature, a five-minute charge gives you an additional hour of listening time or 45 minutes of talk time. (Note that the USB-C charging case does not support wireless charging.)

The AirPods themselves are rated IP54 for dust, sweat, and water resistance. Other notable features include voice isolation and adaptive EQ. Each earbud is equipped with two beamforming microphones and an inward-facing microphone. Together, they provide voice clarity when participating in hands-free phone or video calls.

If you’re an iPhone, iPad, Apple Watch, Mac, or MacBook user on a budget, the new AirPods 4 wireless earbuds are a suitable audio companion, provided you don’t need active noise cancellation or some of the more advanced features offered by the AirPods Pro 2.

You can pre-order the new Apple AirPods 4 starting today. They’re scheduled to release on September 20, and will begin shipping on September 20.

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Apple AirPods 4 with active noise cancellation

From the outside, the AirPods 4 and AirPods 4 with active noise cancellation look identical. However, there are two key differences between these wireless earbud options.

First up, the AirPods 4 with active noise cancellation, you guessed it, active noise cancellation (ANC)This is a much-desired feature that the regular AirPods 4 don’t offer.

ANC technology allows the earbuds to digitally cancel out unwanted ambient sounds, so you can focus on the sound you want to hear, whether that’s audio from TV shows or movies, podcasts, music, or hands-free phone calls. If you plan on using the earbuds in a noisy environment, we highly recommend earbuds with ANC. These new AirPods 4 with active noise cancellation are a great option for Apple device users.

As these earbuds offer ANC technology, they also come with adaptive sound, transparency mode, and conversation recognition. When needed, you can have situational awareness and communicate with people nearby without having to remove the AirPods from your ears or manually pause the audio that is currently playing.

Second, the AirPods 4 with Active Noise Cancellation come with a wireless charging case. With this case, you can keep your AirPods powered for up to 30 hours without the need for an external power source. The case is compatible with any Qi-compatible wireless charger or an Apple Watch charger. It can also be charged with the included USB-C charging cable.

Considering the price difference between the AirPods 4 and the AirPods 4 with Active Noise Cancellation, this is the version we recommend if you can afford it. However, for the ultimate listening experience with the AirPods, the AirPods Pro 2 remain our top pick.

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