Tim Cook announced the Apple AirPods 4 on Monday, September 9th, at the Glowtime event. The new earbuds were confirmed alongside some new health features for the entire Apple earbud lineup and the iPhone 16 Series.
Apple AirPods 4
At Glowtime, the Apple AirPods 4 were announced alongside some welcome updates to the AirPods Pro and AirPods Max, both of which were given software updates.
AirPods 4 remain Apple’s entry-level earbuds, but they will now come in either a standard or an Active Noise-Canceling (ANC) option. This gives travellers a choice of four Apple headsets: AirPods 4, AirPods 4 ANC, AirPods Pro 2, and AirPods Max.
The iconic design of AirPods, which has been copied by almost every other brand, has been somewhat refined and now more resembles the smaller AirPods Pro look but retains the open-ear fit rather than the ear tip fit of the Pro.
Features Apple AirPods 4
The AirPods 4 offer a redesigned open-ear fit, using 3D photogrammetry and over 50 million data points, Apple says, to create its most comfortable open-ear earphones yet.
The H2 chips inclusion provides advanced features like Voice Isolation for clearer calls and Personalized Spatial Audio for a dynamic listening experience with head tracking.
For the first time, the AirPods 4 offer an option with Active Noise Cancellation (ANC), which integrates upgraded microphones and computational audio for a superior noise-cancelling experience.
Additionally, the AirPods 4’s Transparency mode ensures users stay aware of their surroundings, while Adaptive Audio automatically blends ANC and transparency based on environmental conditions, which may reduce ear fatigue by delivering clearer sound at lower volumes.
Further, the new Transparency and Adaptive Audio modes can help prevent sensory overload in loud environments, enhancing overall comfort and hearing protection.
Their open-ear fit ensures reduced pressure on the ears, which is particularly helpful for longer listening sessions. These design enhancements show Apple’s focus on both performance and user well-being.
AirPods 4 introduces a new force sensor on the stem, allowing users to control media or mute calls with a single press. The redesigned charging case now supports USB-C, wireless, and Apple Watch charging and delivers up to 30 hours of battery life.
With ANC available in an open-ear design for the first time, AirPods 4 set a new benchmark for entry-level earbuds, with an option and budget to suit most users and deliver cutting-edge audio performance.
Specifications Apple AirPods 4
| Features | AirPods 4 | AirPods 4 ANC |
|---|---|---|
| Dimensions | 30x18x18mm | 30x18x18mm |
| Weight | 4.3g | 4.3g |
| Case Dimension | 46x50x21mm | 46x50x21mm |
| Case Weight | 32.3g | 34.7g |
| Chip | H2 | H2 |
| Features | Spatial Audio Dynamic head tracking |
Active Noise Cancellation Adaptive Audio Transparency mode Conversation Awareness Spatial Audio Dynamic head tracking Speaker |
| Battery Performance | 5 hours up to 30 hours |
4 hours with ANC 5 hours up to 30 hours |
| Charging | USB-C | USB-C Qi 2 Wireless Apple Wireless |
| Waterproof Rating | IP54 | IP54 |
| Connectivity | Bluetooth 5.3 | Bluetooth 5.3 |
Price & Availability Apple AirPods 4
The Apple AirPods 4 are priced at $129, and the AirPods 4 ANC are $179. Preorders are open now, and deliveries are due by September 20th or later for engraved cases.
All AirPods models are available at apple.com and amazon.com.