During the iPhone 16 presentation, Apple introduced the long-awaited AirPods 4. The brand’s new low-cost earbuds are available in two versions, one with active noise cancellation (ANC) and other important improvements inherited from the AirPods Pro 2.
AirPods 4 Benefits From Inclusion Chip H2 AirPods Pro 2, which delivers improved sound quality over their predecessors. Additionally, both models offer up to 30 hours of audio playback with the charging case, are dust, sweat, and water resistant with an IP54 rating, and support the ability to respond to Siri by shaking your head when the assistant notifies you of an incoming call.
Another interesting feature of the AirPods 4 that we have already seen in the AirPods Pro 2 is voice isolation during calls, support for customizable spatial audio, customizable volume, and an adaptive equalizer.
It is clear that Apple is looking to provide users with more options so that they can more reliable experience with their basic earbuds, and they won’t have to shell out the €279 that the AirPods Pro 2 currently costs. However, just because the AirPods 4 inherited some features from their big brother doesn’t mean they’re identical or that there are any significant differences between them.
That’s why below We compare the most important features AirPods 4 and AirPods Pro 2 so you can easily tell where they’re similar and where they’re different.
AirPods 4 vs. AirPods Pro 2: Key Features Compared
| AirPods 4 (without ANC) | AirPods 4 (noise canceling) | AirPods Pro 2 | |
| Chip | H2 | H2 | H2 |
| Sensors and controls | Optical position sensor. Accelerometer with motion detector. Accelerometer with voice recognition function. Pressure sensor. Two microphones with beamforming technology. |
Optical position sensor. Accelerometer with motion detector. Accelerometer with voice recognition function. Pressure sensor. Two microphones with beamforming technology. |
Skin sensor. Accelerometer with motion detector. Accelerometer with voice recognition function. Touch control. Two microphones with beamforming technology. |
| Technologies | Voice isolation. Custom volume. Adaptive alignment. Custom spatial audio with dynamic head tracking. |
Active noise cancellation. Adaptive sound. Ambient sound mode. Conversation detection. Voice isolation. Custom volume. Adaptive alignment. Custom spatial audio with dynamic head tracking. |
Active Noise Cancellation: Apple says they offer twice the cancellation of the first-generation AirPods Pro and AirPods 4 with ANC. Adaptive sound. Ambient sound mode. Conversation detection. Voice isolation. Custom volume. Adaptive alignment. Custom spatial audio with dynamic head tracking. Hearing health features: Reduce loud sounds, background noise and enhance conversation. |
| Connectivity options | Bluetooth 5.3. | Bluetooth 5.3. | Bluetooth 5.3. |
| Autonomy | Up to 5 hours of audio playback on a single charge. Up to 30 hours of audio playback with charging case. | Up to 4 hours of audio playback on a single charge with ANC on. Up to 5 hours of audio playback without ANC. Up to 20 hours of audio playback with charging case (with ANC). Up to 30 hours of audio playback with charging case (without ANC). |
Up to 6 hours of audio playback on a single charge. This drops to 5.5 hours with dynamic head tracking and spatial audio enabled. Up to 30 hours of audio playback with charging case. |
| Happening | Charging case with USB-C port. | A charging case with a USB-C port and support for wireless charging via an Apple Watch charger or a Qi-certified charger. It also includes a speaker to make it easier to locate with Find My. | A USB-C charging case that supports wireless charging via your Apple Watch charger or a Qi-certified charger. It features a U1 chip for more accurate location with Find My. It also includes a speaker and belt clip. |
| Other | Design without silicone tips. Support for interaction with Siri. Resistant to dust, sweat and water (IP54). |
Design without silicone tips. Support for interaction with Siri. Resistant to dust, sweat and water (IP54). |
Designed with silicone pads in four different sizes. Support for interaction with Siri. Touch volume control by sliding it up or down. Resistant to dust, sweat and water (IP54). |
The AirPods Pro 2 were released in 2022 and were updated in 2023 to include a USB-C port in their case. They are currently available on the official Apple store for a trade-in. 249 dollars or 279 euros. Meanwhile, AirPods 4 are already available for reservation, with shipments starting next Friday, September 20. Their prices 129 USD/149 EUR for the version without ANC, and 179 USD/199 EUR for model with active noise cancellation.
Source: Hiper Textual
I’m Ben Stock, a highly experienced and passionate journalist with a career in the news industry spanning more than 10 years. I specialize in writing content for websites, including researching and interviewing sources to produce engaging articles. My current role is as an author at Gadget Onus, where I mainly cover the mobile section.
