AirPods 4 Review: Is Apple’s Latest Earbuds Worth It?
Introduction to AirPods 4
And the rumors are true—Apple has come out with the AirPods 4 that everybody was expecting! If you are an Apple fan, AirPods lover, or just in search of some new TWS headphones, this review will give you all the information you need about this new Apple headset. To provide you with an idea on whether AirPods 4 is worth the purchase, it is only fitting that we review the device down to the slight details including design, sound, and Active Noise Cancellation (ANC).
AirPods 4: Design and Build Quality
2.1 New Shape and Fit
Many people have had the experience of having their AirPods fall off and stay out of their ears. To make the AirPods 4 more appealing, the firm has adjusted the prevailing design in terms of fit. These earbuds still come with the traditional touch of AirPods look but with new curves and angles, designed to fit snugly into your ear canal.
Now the driver of mounted speakers directs audio towards the intended target, more directly with less reverberation. Still, does this mean they will fit better? For some, yes. For others, the they might still fall out, particularly during some activities such as jogging. If you’ve had difficulty with the fit in the older AirPods, you might experience the same with AirPods 4 though Apple has enhanced the fit for many users.
2.2 Improved Water Resistance
Another great change is the increase in water resistance from IPX4 to IP54. This improvement provides additional barrier against dust and sweat, thus such earbuds would be more appropriate to use outdoors or during exercise. Though you cannot use them for swimming yet, the AirPods 4 are a much more durable set of earphones for everyday use.
Sound Quality: How Do They Perform?
3.1 Enhanced Audio Driver
Apple says it fixed the audio driver of the new AirPods 4 and claims that the sound is clearer than before. This isn’t high-end audiophile territory, but it’s good enough to give a decent and balanced full range of bass, mids, and treble. In terms of sound the Galaxy S 21 Ultra performs well when it comes to loudness, music quality or even podcasts and calls.
3.2 Comparison to AirPods Pro
Well, now if you are thinking about how these new earphones turned out compared to the AirPods Pro, there is a clear differentiation. The Pro version gives out a deeper and a warmer experience of sound, in part because the silicone tips give a tighter fit than the standard tips. Nonetheless, AirPods 4 perform fairly good and satisfactory but are somewhat lacking in terms depth and specifics, particularly in noisy circumstances.
Active Noise Cancellation vs. Base Version
4.1 Noise Reduction Capabilities
Let’s talk about the two versions of AirPods 4: the standard and the Active Noise Cancellation or the ANC model. They both look very similar, but the touchscreen implementation is hugely dissimilar. The ANC version is rather impressive for the ANC in cutting off background noise but it still lags the AirPods Pro. The hard-tip construction does not completely block the canal so there is a little external noise ingress.
You will be able to observe that the level of noises such as in the café or while on public transport is lower and it is not totally eliminated it is rather like noise reduction. In fact, rating noise cancellation of AirPods Pro on a scale 8/10, I would rate AirPods 4 as about 4 or 5.
4.2 Transparency Mode: Is It Really That Good?
AirPods 4 can really boast about how good it works with Transparency Mode. This feature opens the earphone to allow certain external sound, to enable you to hear what is being going on around you without having to pull off the earbuds. Apple has nailed this mode, providing a clean, unimpaired reinforcement of surrounding noise. That tiny HU is especially beneficial for short hints or discussions even if people are surrounded by cars on crowded streets as it won’t affect your hearing.
Battery Life and Charging
5.1 Battery Life with and without ANC
Battery life is still an issue for wireless earbuds, and the AirPods 4 does not fare too badly in this regard. Active Noise Cancellation (ANC) is also available, so when engaged, the true-play time is about 4 hours, which is ideal for daily use, be it a daily commute to work, or a long, uninterrupted phone call. The charging case increases the total listening time to approximately 20 hours with ANC engaged and somewhat greater when utilizing the standard edition without ANC.
5.2 USB-C and Wireless Charging
It is refreshing to see Apple finally bring a new USB-C charging port in line with the rest of the USB-C transition. choosing the ANC variant will also include wireless charging and a speaker on the case to help locate the earbuds when lost. The neat MagSafe feature, on the other hand, has been done away with in this version and it may be quite annoying to those who found this to be very helpful.
The New Case Features
6.1 Smaller Case with USB-C Port
The case for the AirPods 4 is more compact, now has a minimalist design, and uses USB-C for charging. Apple has also made the case smaller which makes it easier to take with you. It is not immediately obvious, but the move does allow for a greater degree of portability in the most general sense.
6.2 The Loss of MagSafe
Unfortunately, the use of MagSafe has been removed, perhaps due to a reduced size of the case. Unlike its predecessor, the Galaxy S21 wirelessly charges with basically any Qi pad but doesn’t magnetically snap to MagSafe ones—though the latter was a nice touch for some customers.
6.3 Precision Finding and Case Speaker
The ANC version of the AirPods 4 also comes with a case speaker for audio signals that indicate charging or when the case is lost. Also, precision finding is just a convenient feature; it allows the speaker to assist in the location of the missing earbuds.
Controls and Connectivity
7.1 New Capacitive Touch Control
The one hidden upgrade that has replaced the tradition pairing button situated at the back of the case is another notable one. Instead of the pairing light, there is a capacitive touch area, which recognizes gestures, such as a double-tap for pairing and a triple-tap to reset the buds. It is one of the small improvements that make the pairing process easier.
7.2 Seamless Apple Ecosystem Integration
AirPods 4 still seamlessly work within the Apple ecosystem like most Apple products are designed to do. Transitioning between devices such as iPhone, iPad or Mac is seamless; a feature to this date has remained exclusive to AirPods, giving third-party headphones a run for their money.
Who Are AirPods 4 Made For?
8.1 Casual Listeners vs. Audiophiles
AirPods 4 is good for traveling and other situations when you do not need top quality sound and can put with wires or charging case being in between you and your music. Still, if you’re an audiophile or just someone who adores deep bass and custom sound, you can feel that an equalizer is missing and the absence of silicon tips making it tighter.
8.2 For Fitness and Outdoor Use
Due to enhancing the IP54 rating, the AirPods 4 is better for outdoor and exercise use. But if the earbuds need to stay in place during intensive movements, you may still go for AirPods Pro because of their confortable silicone tips.
Competitors in the Market
9.1 AirPods Pro vs. AirPods 4
In this comparison between AirPods Pro and AirPods 4, the former still boasts of better noise cancellation and sound quality. But the AirPods 4 is a good option for those who want an affordable wireless earphone that isn’t the flagship model with exceptional ANC, but still AirPods.
9.2 Non-Apple Alternatives
In the vast world of true-wireless earphones, the potential rivals like Sony WF-1000XM5, Samsung Galaxy Buds 2 Pro boast of even better noise isolation and usually, better sound quality at the same price or even cheaper. While they each have some merits, they do not offer the kind of integration and out of the box ease of use that AirPods 4 do.
Is AirPods 4 Worth the Upgrade?
10.1 Price vs. Features
The AirPods 4 cost $129 for the standard model and $179 for the model with active noise cancellation. They lack some of the features coming with the Pro line but they work fine for most of the Apple devices’ owners.
10.2 Real-Life Usage Impressions
Apart from music, AirPods 4 are efficient in day to day use in most circumstances. For phone calls, podcasts, and music while walking, jogging or bicycling, AirPods are highly suitable, but for the best noise-canceling or improved sound quality, one might want to buy AirPods Pro or other better models.
Conclusion
Therefore, AirPods 4 is a good addition to Apple’s lineup which will be perfect for buyers who believe that the price to value ratio is crucial. It offers enhanced fit, enhanced water sealing, and good sound with the added bonus of USB –C charging. But for the lovers of gears and those who have so high expectations on the noise cancellation then the AirPods Pro will do the trick. In conclusion, the decision is up to you where and from what kind of headphones you are interested in depending on what is more important for you – budget, sound or fit.
FAQs
- What’s the difference between AirPods 4 and AirPods Pro?
- Pro versions therefore provide better noise control, quality sound and better fitting through silicon ear tips.
- Does AirPods 4 support MagSafe?
- No, MagSafe is not supported in the AirPods 4 case.
- How long does the battery last on AirPods 4?
- While using active noise cancellation, AirPods 4 will last up to 4 hours of playback time, and up to 20 hours with the charging case.
- Are AirPods 4 waterproof?
- AirPods 4 can resist water and dust exposure as they are IP54 rated but are not water-proof.
- Do AirPods 4 have wireless charging?
- Yes, the ANC version supports wireless charging.
- Can you use AirPods 4 with Android devices?
Yes, but you will not be able to use such Apple tailored options as the instant handover of one device to another one or using Siri.
