Review of the latest AirPods 4 with noise cancellation and without a cable. Does it make sense to buy them when there are Pro

We’ve already told you about the new iPhone 16 Pro Max, but that’s not all the new products Apple introduced on September 9.

The company also showed the fourth generation of the popular AirPods. This year, the company took the second path and released two versions of AirPods 4 at once: with noise cancellation and without it.

Today we will focus on models with noise reduction. After all, it is the most interesting from the point of view of upgrading.

Does it make sense to upgrade from AirPods 3 and older headphones or should we wait another generation? Let’s talk now.

Content:

• 1. Kit. This is already a mockery.
  2. Ergonomics and design. Has it become better?
  3. Noise reduction. Never a problem.
  4. Sound. Are there any changes?
  5. Autonomy. How long do the headphones last?
  6. Who will I take and who won’t?

Set. This is already a mockery.

Environmental concerns go too far

It’s either ecology, or Apple’s greed, or all of these things at once. But!

For the first time, there is no charging cable included with the AirPods 4. Inside the box, you will find only the earbuds themselves with a case and documentation.

Thank goodness Apple at least doesn’t sell the case separately. But wired payment buy more for $19 or about 1.5-3 thousand rubles if you buy the original in Russia.

In general, the most unsightly act on the part of the company. Ecology does not need to hide behind, because you still sell the cables separately. And the fact that we have a “whole fleet” of wires accumulated over many years is far from the case with everyone.

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Ergonomics and design. Has it become better?

They read very well in Ushakh

I’ll be honest, I didn’t have the “basic” AirPods when they were first-gen. Then I somehow upgraded to the Pro version, and I recently bought the second generation.

I am not one of those who are crazy about open headphones. However, my friend, who used all the previous versions of the “basic” headphones, shared detailed impressions.

So, in terms of dimensions, AirPods 4 are somewhere between the second and third generations. Here are the visual characteristics:

► AirPods 2: 40.5 x 16.5 x 18 mm

► AirPods 3: 30.79 x 18.26 x 19.21 mm

► AirPods 4: 30.2 x 18.3 x 18.1 mm

Apple managed to find the golden mean and adjust the headphones to the ideal size. At the same time, they weigh 4.3 grams. For comparison, the weight of AirPods 3 is 4.28 grams.

What’s interesting is that thanks to their changed shape, the new headphones the lighter feel of the previous generation. And because of this, they also sit more pleasantly in the Ears. I mean, with the “Pros”, the sensations are, of course, completely different. But even for me, they did not cause any discomfort.

Even if you shake the headphones, do not try to “escape”. They are firmly fixed in the ears and do not slip out even after a while.

As for the case, it is also smaller than the AirPods 3 case. And even more compact than the AirPods Pro case.

The speaker has been stabilized at the bottom of the case. These headphones, like the Pro 2, can be searched for via Locator. However, there are no holes for a loop, so you can’t hang it on your hand. You’ll have to buy this case. And let’s be honest, with glossy plastic it’s best to have a case so as not to spoil the appearance of the case.

Didn’t mention that The speaker is only available in the noise-cancelling version. In “cheap” headphones it is not. There are other differences between the models.

Only the “expensive four” has a case that supports wireless charging. And I would like to point out that there is no MagSafe here, while Apple headphone buyers do not have this option. No, they will charge from the “puck”, but not as fast as we would like.

The headphones themselves sit securely in the case. Apple has obviously strengthened the magnets in accordance with all models. After the Pros, it was unusually difficult for me to get them out.

Overall, on the noise-canceling side of the AirPods 4 we have:

• magnetic charging
• the most compact case among all AirPods models
• built-in speaker

Both versions are confirmed Locator and is provided to him in real time. There is nothing new or special here.

It’s a pity that there is no reverse charging of AirPods from the iPhone itself. It would be very convenient, and Android smartphones have such capabilities.

Finally, another difference between AirPods 4 and all other AirPods is that no connect button. Then now it’s just plain smooth plastic, the connection/reset button has become touch sensitive and hidden on the front panel.

To reset the headphones, you need to accidentally touch the front surface 3 times.

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Noise reduction. Never a problem.

But very worthy

Moving on to the new guide, the regular AirPods now also have noise cancellation, just like the AirPods Pro.

Or rather, not even that. The function is there, but it works differently because of the open form factor of the headphones. These are not earbuds, you can’t fool physics.

Let’s take a look right away and see what the difference is.

🎧 With AirPods Pro 2, I can barely hear anything on the subway at 40% volume with music. If I raise the volume by another 10%, external noise will disappear completely.

When I walk down the street, I don’t even have to turn on the music. The noise canceler will cut out 90-95% of external noise.

🎧 In AirPods 4, at 40%, I can hear a subway car along with the music. If the volume is another 10%, the situation won’t change much. Yes, it will become quieter, especially in older cars, but you will only be able to completely stop hearing it on the corner at around 70%.

Walking down the street with active noise cancellation and music turned off, I will hear everything. Headphones can partially cut off the sound of the nearest highway and almost completely absorb the construction. Nothing more.

That is, you can take them in a conventional airplane, but they put on a lot of music. In general, This noise suppressor is suitable for events. But it was not possible to create an isolated “bubble” around you. The effect will not leave you until the very end. Even the first “proshki” provide noise reduction of a completely different level.

In this transparency mode, these models are about the same. AirPods 4 isolate external noise very well.

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Sound. Are there any changes?

Yes, and it is noticeable.

Now let’s talk about the most delicious part.

If you compare AirPods 4 with AirPods 3, then, strictly according to my feelings, the new product is downright stronger more bassIt is juicy and soft, quite pleasant.

The highs and mids remained at about the same level. If you’ve ever listened to AirPods not of the first generation, you know what I’m talking about. For similar sound, it could be, for example, HUAWEI FreeBuds Pro 3 or Xiaomi Buds 3T Pro from what I’ve personally listened to recently.

First of all, AirPods 4 have noticeably more low frequencies. They are not only better heard, but also felt stronger compared to AirPods 3 and especially AirPods 2. But still, they fall a little short of the level of the “pros”. This mid-frequency sound has become more expressive, which somewhat corresponds to the AirPods Pro headphones.

The only thing that bothers me and makes me want to take off the headphones is the sharper edges of the headphones, as I am used to earbuds with soft ear pads. But the sound is not at all repulsive, it is pleasant and melodic. On the street or while moving, the noise can be enjoyable, but the enhanced bass does its job – it conveys the rhythm and dynamics of the music, which is especially important during walks.

I can only say one thing about the sound. It sounded like what we were all used to, but it became a little deeper as a result of previous generations. This is not the level of earbuds, just a different sound, created for comfortable listening to music on the go.

Among the applied chips, the cancellation of support Adaptive audio. The headphones have the ability to independently adjust noise reduction and change its level depending on the time spent there. A convenient thing that I use all the time.

The AirPods 4 also feature gesture-based call answering. Nod to accept, shake to return. Potentially cool when your hands are full, but I didn’t use it much.

But the volume control on the “tail”, like in AirPods Pro 2, is here it is forbidden. Alas and alack.

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Autonomy. How long do headphones last?

Here everyone can only rely on Apple’s statements. There was too little time for testing. In 2.5 hours of listening (not always during testing, but just listening), the headphones were about half dead, and this is with active noise cancellation.

The company promises about 4 hours with ANC at 50% voice. However, it turned out that this figure will be slightly higher than Apple claimed.

The case holds the charge confidently and slowly holds its position. The company says about 30 hours autonomy with a case, and I readily believe in this based on my experience.

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Some I will take, and some I won’t

Overall, these are great headphones for their category.

To sum it up, I can safely say that upgrading from AirPods 3 to the standard AirPods 4 does not bring you much. The headphones will be in your ears (for some people this will be enough), the sound will become more bass. That’s about it.

But when you upgrade from AirPods 4 with noise cancellation, you get additional capabilities to provide additional options of AirPods Pro 2.

In short, if you have AirPods 3 and love the in-ear format, then it makes sense to look at the AirPods 4 ANC.

If you are happy with earbuds and earplugs, then it is definitely better to take AirPods Pro 2. They will also add many new functions related to balance, similar, including a hearing device, by the end of the year. All this is not promised for AirPods 4. And the “pros” are currently better than the new product from Apple.

If you can’t stand the earbud format, then AirPods 4 ANC is your choice. Without ANC, you can take AirPods 1 or 2 owners.

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Where did we get the new AirPods 4

Thanks to the guys at Tesla Connect for the opportunity to search and explore the new AirPods in their branded technocafe at Moscow, st. Vasilisa Kozhina, 1 13.

A cozy place, here you can order a test drive of any Tesla, including the hyped Tesla Cybertruck, or just drink coffee. If you are nearby, be sure to stop by.

🗺 Geotag in Yandex Maps: Moscow, st. Vasilisa Kozhina, 1 13

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📸 All photos in the article: