Image: Apple · source
AirPods 4 with Active Noise Cancellation
Open-fit earbuds that can still cancel noise.
Overview
Apple's second AirPods 4 model uses the same housing as the standard one, but a vent system and extra microphones make noise cancellation work without a sealed ear tip. Apple described it as the first open-ear earbud with active noise cancellation, and it also supports Adaptive Audio and Conversation Awareness.
The case is a bigger change. It supports Qi and Apple Watch chargers, and a built-in speaker lets Find My play a sound and guide the user to it. Precision Finding is available through the U2 chip in the case.
Battery life is rated at four hours with ANC on and five with it off, and 20 or 30 hours with the case. Even though it costs more than the standard version, many reviewers saw it as the best-value earbud in the range.
Why it mattered
Brought noise cancellation to the non-Pro AirPods for the first time.
At a glance
- Announced
- September 9, 2024
- Released
- September 20, 2024
- Launch price
- $179
- Status
- Available
Highlights
- Active noise cancellation in open-fit design
- Wireless charging case with speaker
- Precision Finding
- Adaptive Audio
- Transparency mode
Tech specs
Specifications as published at launch. Some values (like battery life) are manufacturer estimates.
Audio
- Driver
- Custom high-excursion Apple driver with custom amplifier
- Noise control
- Active Noise Cancellation, Transparency mode, Adaptive Audio
- Spatial Audio
- Personalised Spatial Audio with dynamic head tracking
- Microphones
- Dual beamforming microphones, inward-facing microphone
Chip
- Chip
- Apple H2
Battery
- Listening time
- Up to 4 hours (ANC on), 5 hours (ANC off)
- Total with case
- Up to 20 hours (ANC on), 30 hours (ANC off)
Connectivity
- Bluetooth
- Bluetooth 5.3
- Charging
- USB-C, Apple Watch charger, Qi wireless
Design
- Water resistance
- IP54 (earbuds and case)
- Weight
- 4.3 g per earbud
Features
- Controls
- Force sensor on stem (press, swipe), head gestures, Hey Siri
- Sensors
- Skin-detect sensor, motion and speech accelerometers, force sensor
Software
- Launch OS
- iOS 18
How it compares
More in the AirPods family
AirPods (1st generation)
Cord-free earbuds that pair with an iPhone in one tap.
AirPods (2nd generation)
Hands-free Siri and faster switching arrive with the H1 chip.
AirPods (3rd generation)
A shorter-stem redesign with Spatial Audio and sweat resistance.
AirPods 4
A new open-fit shape and an H2 chip at $129.
AirPods 5
Open-fit earbuds with noise cancellation at the entry price.
AirPods 5 with Wireless Charging Case
The same ANC earbuds plus volume swipes and a wireless case.