Apple’s AirPods have become so ubiquitous that they’ve practically defined the true wireless earbud category. The fourth generation — the AirPods 4 — arrived in late 2024 with a redesigned fit, improved audio quality, and the same H2 chip found in the AirPods Pro. After using them daily for several months, here’s what holds up and what still frustrates me about Apple’s mainstream earbuds.
AirPods 4 at a Glance
| Details | Information |
|---|---|
| Price | $119.00 |
| Discount | – 8% |
| Rating on Amazon | out of 5 stars – Out of reviews. |
| Buy Now | Buy on Amazon |
Design and Fit
Apple completely reworked the physical shape for the AirPods 4, and it shows. The shorter stem, refined contour, and slightly smaller overall size make them noticeably more comfortable than the third generation. I wore them through 3-hour podcast sessions and hour-long gym workouts without any ear fatigue — something the older model couldn’t manage for me.
The open-ear design means these don’t create a seal in your ear canal like the AirPods Pro. That’s both a benefit and a limitation: you get natural ambient awareness (great for walking in the city or chatting with coworkers), but bass response suffers compared to sealed earbuds. The IP54 dust, sweat, and water resistance rating makes them workout-safe, though I still wouldn’t recommend swimming with them.
Quick-press controls on the stem handle play/pause, skip tracks, and answer calls. The tactile feedback is satisfying — a clear improvement over the older squeeze gesture that sometimes missed inputs. Head gestures for accepting or declining calls work surprisingly well once you get used to nodding “yes” or shaking “no” at your phone.
Sound Quality
The H2 chip powers Apple’s Personalized Spatial Audio with dynamic head tracking, and when it works — particularly with Dolby Atmos music on Apple Music — the effect is genuinely immersive. Instruments feel like they occupy physical space around your head rather than being flattened into a stereo image between your ears.
For standard music playback, the AirPods 4 sound good but not extraordinary. Mids are clear and well-defined, making them excellent for podcasts and vocal-heavy genres. Highs have enough sparkle without becoming fatiguing during long listening sessions. Bass is present but won’t satisfy anyone coming from Sony or Sennheiser earbuds with silicone tips — the open design simply can’t deliver the same low-end impact.
Voice Isolation during phone calls is a meaningful upgrade. Background noise gets filtered aggressively, and callers consistently told me I sounded clearer than with my previous earbuds. If you take a lot of calls in noisy environments — coffee shops, open offices, commuting — this feature alone might justify the upgrade.
Battery Life and Charging Case
Apple rates the AirPods 4 at up to 30 hours of total listening time with the case, and about 5 hours per charge in the earbuds themselves. In real-world use, I consistently got 4 to 4.5 hours per charge with Spatial Audio enabled — close enough to Apple’s claims. The case provides roughly five additional full charges before needing a top-up.
The USB-C charging case is the smallest Apple has made. It fits in the coin pocket of jeans and adds essentially zero bulk to your daily carry. One missing feature: the standard AirPods 4 case doesn’t support wireless charging — you need the ANC model for that. Given that USB-C is standard on everything now, this is less of an issue than it was in the Lightning era, but still worth noting.
Smart Features and Ecosystem Integration
If you’re already in the Apple ecosystem, AirPods 4 integrate seamlessly. Automatic device switching between your iPhone, iPad, and Mac works flawlessly about 90% of the time — the other 10% still requires manually selecting the output device, which is a minor but persistent annoyance. “Hey Siri” voice activation is responsive, and the earbuds handle smart home commands, messages, and navigation directions without pulling out your phone.
Find My integration means you can locate lost earbuds through the Find My app, and the case plays a sound to help you dig it out from between couch cushions. Audio Sharing lets two people listen to the same audio from one device — handy on flights or during movie nights on an iPad.
The flip side of all this ecosystem magic: AirPods 4 work with Android phones via Bluetooth, but you lose Spatial Audio, automatic switching, Find My, and most of the intelligent features. If you’re on Android, you’re genuinely better off looking at earbuds designed for that ecosystem.
Should You Get the ANC Model Instead?
| Details | Information |
|---|---|
| Price | $148.99 |
| Discount | – 17% |
| Rating on Amazon | out of 5 stars – Out of reviews. |
| Buy Now | Buy on Amazon |
Apple also offers the AirPods 4 with Active Noise Cancellation at a higher price point. The ANC model adds noise cancellation, Adaptive Audio, Transparency Mode, Conversation Awareness, and wireless charging support (including MagSafe and Apple Watch charger compatibility).
Here’s my take: if you commute on public transit, work in a noisy office, or fly frequently, the ANC version is worth the extra cost. The noise cancellation on an open-ear design won’t match the AirPods Pro 2 (which create a physical seal), but it’s impressively effective at reducing low-frequency drone from engines and HVAC systems. Transparency Mode lets ambient sound through naturally when you need it.
If you primarily use earbuds at a desk, during walks, or in relatively quiet environments, the standard AirPods 4 are perfectly sufficient and save you a meaningful amount. Both models share the same H2 chip, sound profile, and design — the ANC model just adds the noise management features and wireless charging.
Final Verdict
The AirPods 4 are Apple’s best mainstream earbuds to date. The redesigned fit is genuinely more comfortable, sound quality is a step up from the third generation, and the H2 chip brings features that were previously exclusive to the Pro line. For iPhone users who prefer the open-ear style over silicone tips, these are the earbuds to buy.
They’re not perfect — bass is limited by the open design, the standard case lacks wireless charging, and Android users get a significantly diminished experience. But within Apple’s ecosystem, the AirPods 4 hit a sweet spot of comfort, convenience, and audio quality that justifies their price. If you need noise cancellation, step up to the ANC model. If you need the absolute best sound quality and a sealed fit, the AirPods Pro 2 remain the better choice.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are AirPods 4 worth upgrading from AirPods 3?
If comfort was an issue with your AirPods 3, the redesigned shape is a genuine improvement. Sound quality and features are incrementally better rather than dramatically different. The H2 chip adds Voice Isolation and better Spatial Audio. If your AirPods 3 still work well and fit comfortably, you can wait — but if you’re due for a replacement, the AirPods 4 are the clear upgrade.
Do AirPods 4 work with Android phones?
AirPods 4 connect to Android phones via standard Bluetooth and work for basic audio playback and calls. However, you lose Personalized Spatial Audio, automatic device switching, Find My tracking, Siri integration, and Audio Sharing. For Android users, earbuds from Samsung, Sony, or Google are typically a better value since they offer comparable features that work fully with Android.
What is the difference between AirPods 4 and AirPods Pro 2?
The AirPods Pro 2 use silicone ear tips that create a seal in your ear canal, delivering significantly better noise cancellation, bass response, and sound isolation. AirPods 4 use an open-ear design that’s more comfortable for extended wear and lets in ambient sound naturally. Choose AirPods Pro 2 if sound quality and ANC are your priority. Choose AirPods 4 if comfort and ambient awareness matter more.
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