AirPods 4 with ANC in the test

I had the opportunity to try out the new AirPods 4 for a few days. Time for a few words. First of all, to avoid confusion: There are two models, the AirPods 4 and the AirPods 4 with active noise cancellation. This means: Apple will differentiate the two models by giving the new mid-range model a high-quality case with a speaker, which makes it easier to locate it with the “Find My” function, as well as noise cancellation to keep up with the AirPods Pro. Both new AirPods now have a case with a USB-C port, the cheaper model (149 euros) cannot be charged wirelessly, the other (199 euros) can. Here is an overview of the functions:

The AirPods 4 are based on the AirPods Pro in terms of design, but do not have separate silicone tips. Apple promises that they are more comfortable. That is always a matter of opinion. I know people who don’t like tips, others do. I can handle both, but I prefer products with tips for sealing. Then I always have a secure feeling that the headphones won’t fall out of my ears.

The AirPods 4 feel different than the Pro, but at least they sat quite securely in my ears during my work and sports sessions. I should mention that I only jog – and even then I have to readjust the AirPods Pro from time to time. For general sports with a lot of movement, I would recommend the Beats Fit Pro or the Powerbeats.

The new AirPods are equipped with the new H2 chip, which is supposed to deliver improved sound quality. That’s true when you compare it to the first models. They also offer personalized spatial audio and gesture control, such as nodding or shaking your head. By activating this function, it is possible to activate notifications or answer calls by nodding your head up and down, while shaking your head from left to right enables these. Although I normally prefer not to be constantly disturbed by notifications from my headphones (annoying when jogging), I found that even subtle head movements were detected precisely during my tests.

During phone calls, background noise is filtered out, which actually worked quite well in the test, but there may be more professional solutions for people who use the phone full-time.

The case has become more compact and has a USB-C port. Basically, up to 5 hours of battery life are offered, and in the case there is another 25 hours. However, this is only without ANC, then it is 4/16 hours.

Anyone who knows the AirPods Pro 2 will certainly not switch, but it should be mentioned: The AirPods 4 cannot control the volume via the bridge, which is a shame. But they are not professionals who also offer better noise cancellation. Nevertheless, the ANC is usable, in my opinion. What was noticed: Due to the missing tips, the ears are less sealed, which, depending on head movement, can make the ANC a little less effective.

Transparency mode is still really good, something that many manufacturers don’t get as good at as Apple. Transparency mode on the AirPods is a feature that allows the wearer to hear ambient noise and conversations while wearing the earphones. This is achieved by the outward-facing microphones that pick up the sounds from the environment and play them through the AirPods’ speakers. This allows the user to listen to music or other audio content while still being aware of their surroundings, which is particularly useful in situations where you need to stay alert, such as when crossing a street or during conversations.

Users can switch between modes by pressing the stem of the AirPods or via the settings on their paired device. If you want, you can also turn on automatic conversation detection. It’s practical: if a conversation is detected, the transparency mode kicks in. It works well for me; sometimes when I’m jogging, a wheeze or cough is interpreted as a conversation, and then the mode is activated for a short time. Maybe I should just get fitter.

Apple’s new AirPods 4 offer the best sound results among the regular AirPods. Basically, according to my ears, not much has changed, but I notice that the bass is a bit “punchier” and the highs are also a bit finer. The usual mention: Yes, the AirPods Pro are better, but I was super pain-free and happy with the AirPods 4 during the test phase.

And what else? I don’t need to mention that the AirPods work best in the Apple ecosystem. You can switch between your devices quickly and automatically if you want, but there is no real multipoint. The new AirPods 4 with ANC are very solid and ideal for beginners who really want AirPods – or people who are switching from the first generations. Nevertheless, I have to stick to my statement: the AirPods 4 cost 199 euros, and you can often get the AirPods Pro 2 for under 240 euros. I think they are much better, although in percentage terms it is of course an insane surcharge.

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