The Apple AirPods 4 are the new entry-level AirPods, with the same open-fit shape as earlier generations and the H2 chip from the Pro line. Apple finally moved the case to USB-C, which means one less Lightning cable to carry around. The H2 chip enables Spatial Audio with head tracking, hands-free Siri, and automatic switching between iPhone, iPad, and Mac, which makes AirPods worth the brand premium for people already in the Apple ecosystem. The battery lasts about 5 hours per earbud charge, with the case extending total listening time to roughly 30 hours.
A great pair of Apple earbuds that you’ll want to use every day
The big change with AirPods 4 over the AirPods Pro is the open-fit shape, which doesn’t push silicone tips into your ear canal. That makes them more comfortable for long sessions and lets you stay aware of your surroundings during a run or in a shared workspace. It also means bass is lighter than sealed earbuds, and there’s no isolation from outside noise. Force sensors on each stem handle play, pause, and skip with a quick squeeze.
The real advantage of AirPods over cheaper Bluetooth earbuds shows up when you already own other Apple gear. Sign in once on your iPhone, and the AirPods become available on any Mac, iPad, or Apple Watch tied to the same iCloud account. Switching audio from one device to another takes about a tap or two through the audio output menu, and the AirPods follow along automatically. And five minutes in the case gets you about another hour of listening.
Open-fit AirPods come into their own when you can’t fully tune out your surroundings. Running near traffic, working in a shared office where coworkers tap your shoulder, or sitting in an apartment waiting for a delivery all benefit from being able to hear what’s around you. Spatial Audio is more of a movie or game thing than a music thing, since the head tracking moves audio in space as you turn around. The effect is more noticeable in action scenes than in songs.
These are AirPods without active noise cancellation, which is the main thing separating them from the AirPods 4 with ANC, (which are confusingly a completely separate product) which are sold for $50 more. On a noisy subway, a loud cafe, or a flight, audio fights against background noise instead of cutting through it, and you’ll find yourself cranking volume to hear properly. Sound leaks out at higher volumes, so anyone sitting close to you on a train or in an office will probably hear what’s playing. And the full Apple ecosystem perks only work with other Apple devices.
For just $99, you can get the AirPods 4 with the H2 chip, USB-C charging, open-fit comfort, and the ability to switch between your devices using the Apple Ecosystem for $30 less than their usual cost. The price drop makes the AirPods 4 an even more affordable option if you don’t want to drop the cash for Pros, but you still want the experience of the Apple ecosystem.
