AirPods 4 Review Videos Show Hidden Pairing Button, Lack of MagSafe

[MacRumors]

The first AirPods 4 reviews surfaced today, providing us with a closer look at Apple's latest earbuds before they launch on Friday.

There are two types of AirPods 4, including ones with active noise cancellation for $179 and those without active noise cancellation for $129. As discovered last week, the pairing button and charging status light are now hidden on both AirPods 4 charging cases, and some of the review videos offer a quick demonstration of these changes.

Marques Brownlee showed the new capacitive button starting at the 3:48 mark of his video:

Dave Lee touched on the button starting at the 3:20 mark of his video:

As noted in both reviews, both AirPods 4 charging cases no longer support MagSafe. This means that while the cases can be wirelessly charged, they lack magnets for a precise locked-in position or use with upright charging stands. There is one exception: the cases can still be magnetically attached to the Apple Watch's charging puck.

Read our full AirPods 4 review roundup to learn more about the earbuds.

Article Link: AirPods 4 Review Videos Show Hidden Pairing Button, Lack of MagSafe

 

[klky]

Definitely want to try the AirPods 4 with ANC just to see how good they are, but in all likelihood, I'll be sticking with my AirPods Pro 2 which are perfectly fine.

 

[StoneJack]

Pairing is one of most crucial points of using wireless headphones. The pairing button is also needed for resets.
Who was dumb enough at Apple to make the pairing button invisible?

 

[TheLisnakFactor]

Ugh now I need a new charger. I love using my MagSafe charging stand for my AirPods. This is a pain and stupid change. Probably due to shape but come on.

 

[dz5b609]

Did not like MKBHD's review at all (which rarely happens), like sure he's one of a percentage of people who don't fit Airpods but at that point why review it yourself and not have one of his numerous staff members do the testing. Yes ANC is going to be bad if the airpods don't fit you at all and have a bad seal. But that's not very interesting for the people watching the review whose ears are fitting for the airpods since those are the people who're interested in them.

 

[d___d]

touched on the button

See what you did there...

 

[AngstyKylo]

Not sure why you would get these over the pro 2. If you can't afford the $20 difference you shouldn't be spending that much on headphones.

 

[Anaxarxes]

Ugh now I need a new charger. I love using my MagSafe charging stand for my AirPods. This is a pain and stupid change. Probably due to shape but come on.

No you don't?

 

[Radeon85]

I have no issues with capacitive buttons, but in this case it really should be a physical button.

 

[Anaxarxes]

Pairing is one of most crucial points of using wireless headphones. The pairing button is also needed for resets.
Who was dumb enough at Apple to make the pairing button invisible?

Procurement and cost cutting most def.

 

[spartan1967]

Higher end AP4 qualifies for a sizable discounted purchase on Amazon Prime Day or other retailer discount event. Seeing AP2 still having the better fit per reviews, so return is higher than 50% for me.

 

[QuarterSwede]

Not sure why you would get these over the pro 2. If you can't afford the $20 difference you shouldn't be spending that much on headphones.

$70 from Apple. Although, Amazon has the Airpods Pro 2 for $10 more ($189) currently than the 4s with Transparency ($179). We'll see how much they drop during the holidays. Unless you have an issue with in ear canal seals (which is more than likely why the 4s with transparency exist), this is a no brainer.

 

[Andres Cantu]

I knew it lacked MagSafe based on the product comparison page, however, some people thought MagSafe was supported because they are Qi-certified.

 

[Tripps9000]

I will be skipping these as I have the 3 generation and tired of how they won’t stay in my ears 😖

 

[WarmWinterHat]

Not sure why you would get these over the pro 2. If you can't afford the $20 difference you shouldn't be spending that much on headphones.

Because one doesn't like rubber tips in the ear canals?

I have AirPods Pros and the regular original style (with the long stems) and will often pick the old ones when running because I don't like tips on the Pros when working out. They fit fine, but itch when I get sweaty and I get horrible thumping sounds.

 

[vegetassj4]

Hidden pairing button? The Airpods are for the hearing impaired, not the vision impaired...duh

Cain't wait for the accidental in pocket triple tap factory reset

Two types of people in this world: people who airpods tips fit in their ears and:

 

[DrRadon]

Is there any review that actually talks about improvements in sound? I had looked at three and they all talked for like 30 seconds on "it is headphones!" and all the rest was just about the gimmicks. I want to listen to Musik on these. Are they a significant improvements over my AirPods 2 or do I just get them replaced with new batteries for 70something?!

 

[WarmWinterHat]

Is there any review that actually talks about improvements in sound? I had looked at three and they all talked for like 30 seconds on "it is headphones!" and all the rest was just about the gimmicks. I want to listen to Musik on these. Are they a significant improvements over my AirPods 2 or do I just get them replaced with new batteries for 70something?!

Apple AirPods 4 review: defying expectations

It’s worth spending more for the upgraded pair with ANC.

www.theverge.com

 

[Tripps9000]

Is there any review that actually talks about improvements in sound? I had looked at three and they all talked for like 30 seconds on "it is headphones!" and all the rest was just about the gimmicks. I want to listen to Musik on these. Are they a significant improvements over my AirPods 2 or do I just get them replaced with new batteries for 70something?!

Try Mike o Brian he did a pretty good review of them

 

[newJeans]

Not sure why you would get these over the pro 2. If you can't afford the $20 difference you shouldn't be spending that much on headphones.

i don't like the sensation of the ear plugs / tips on the airpods pro. i went from airpods 1 > airpods pro > airpods 3 because of this. quite interested to see if the ANC of airpods 4 is actually good, but will wait for rtings to comment.

 

[Radin.Y]

Not sure why you would get these over the pro 2. If you can't afford the $20 difference you shouldn't be spending that much on headphones.

Many people don’t like the silicon seal on headphones

 

[Xade]

Because one doesn't like rubber tips in the ear canals?

I have AirPods Pros and the regular original style (with the long stems) and will often pick the old ones when running because I don't like tips on the Pros when working out. They fit fine, but itch when I get sweaty and amplify internal body sounds too much.

I prefer the original style for working out as I can change songs by just tapping them instead of squeezing them like the pros which then fall out!

 

[orev]

Hidden buttons are bad interface design.

 

[sw1tcher]

Not sure why you would get these over the pro 2. If you can't afford the $20 difference you shouldn't be spending that much on headphones.

in-ear earphones don't work for everyone. They don't work for me. I tried them and whenever I move around, I get a "thump thump thump" sound. I looked it up and it's being referred to as "bone conduction." It's annoying AF.

Thumping noise when walking and using earphones

For those who cannot deal with the "thumping" and want earphones with ANC, the AirPods 4 are it. Sometimes it's not about the price.

 

[FSMBP]

I'm excited about the audio improvement but bummed that Apple isn't adding new major features to baseline AirPods since 2016. It should at least come with either ANC or the new Case as standard.