Apple Airpods 4 and Airpods 4 ANC in review

With the new Airpods 4, Apple now has earphones for all needs in its range. The Bluetooth plugs impressed in practical tests with their very good sound, among other things. The ANC version also delivers amazingly effective noise cancellation and an excellent transparency mode.

After the Airpods last received an update almost three years ago, Apple is now launching a completely redesigned fourth generation in two versions. With active noise cancellation (ANC) they cost just under 200 euros, without around 150 euros. The company now offers Bluetooth earphones for every need, which is why iPhone users have little reason to turn to competing products.

Perfect fit, new mini charging case

Apple has slightly changed the contours of the now more compact Airpods, which should make them even more comfortable to wear. While you might not notice this difference, as the predecessors were barely noticeable, they do seem to sit noticeably more securely and do not slip, even during violent movements.

It is also noticeable that Apple has further shrunk the charging case, which can now easily be stowed in the coin pocket of a pair of jeans. A small but nice detail is the hidden LED, which is now only visible when it is lit. On top of that, it replaces the Bluetooth button on the back. To pair a device that is not automatically recognized, simply tap the LED twice with the lid open.

As with the Pros, the Airpods 4 case now also has a USB-C port. The ANC version can also be charged inductively, using the dock of an Apple Watch, among other things. In addition, only the ANC box plays a sound when you search for it using “Find my?” The case and plugs are protected against dust and water according to IP54. With the predecessors (IPX4) you had to be more careful.

Excellent sound

The fourth generation of Airpods has made great progress in terms of sound. For earphones without sealing silicone attachments, they deliver remarkably powerful bass that doesn’t sound pumped up. The midrange is nicely defined and wide. Clear highs garnish the overall very successful and pleasantly airy sound. Overall, the Airpods 4 are the new benchmark in the open earphone class.

The soundstage is already wide in the standard settings, but anyone who wants to can now activate Spatial Audio, as with the Airpods Pro. This gives stereo content a greater spatiality, but the new earbuds are especially fun when you listen to films or music with Dolby Atmos (3D audio). Especially for videos, it is a good idea to switch on head tracking, which means the sound stays fixed when you turn your head.

Apple’s new H2 chip also allows for head gestures, which is very useful. You can answer or reject calls by nodding or shaking your head when Siri asks you to. It works similarly when you receive messages.

ANC surprisingly effective

The ANC version of the Airpods 4 offers surprisingly effective noise cancellation. Although it is not comparable to that of Apple’s Pro earbuds, it significantly dampens even low-frequency noise in trains or airplanes as well as on busy streets. The sound is not audibly affected by the effect. No competitor in the open earphone class can do this better at the moment. The inherent noise typical of ANC is low.

There is practically no noise in the excellent transparency mode. It sounds so natural that you feel like you are not wearing headphones at all. The Airpods 4 (ANC) are also absolutely top in this discipline.

You switch between modes by pressing and holding the left or right bar of the AirPods. You can also choose an adaptive mode by adjusting the ANC and transparency mode to the ambient noise. This worked quite well in the practical test, but in everyday life the mode is rarely of any real use with open earphones. The conversation detection is more practical, as it reliably reduces the volume of the playback quickly when you start a conversation.

No volume control, endurance okay

The control of one, two or three presses is otherwise straightforward, but it has one drawback: the volume cannot be changed by swiping the earbuds’ cones like with the Airpods Pro. To do this, you have to pick up the iPhone or ask Siri for assistance, as before.

Another small negative point is the endurance. Up to four hours with ANC and five hours without is okay, but other Bluetooth earphones have a lot more stamina. With the battery reserves of the charging case, you can get up to 20 or 30 hours in total. Empty Airpods last just under an hour after five minutes in the case.

Conclusion

It’s hard to find better open earphones than the Airpods 4 at the moment. The sound is great, the wearing comfort is outstanding. The ANC version also has effective noise cancellation and an excellent transparency mode. If you don’t mind silicone attachments, however, the Airpods Pro 2 are the better choice, which are hardly more expensive with online prices of around 270 euros. Either way, there’s really no reason for iPhone users to go for a competing product – other than to save money.