AirPods 4 vs. Previous Generations Buyer's Guide: All Upgrades Compared

[MacRumors]

Apple's new AirPods are now available for pre-order. With the release of the AirPods 4 and AirPods 4 with ANC, Apple has made some significant improvements that could make a difference in your daily listening experience.

Key upgrades in the AirPods 4 include a more comfortable fit, improved sound quality with a new low-distortion driver, and enhanced features like Personalized Spatial Audio. For the first time in the standard AirPods range, the AirPods 4 offer optional active noise cancellation for an additional $50, providing a quieter and more immersive experience, especially in noisy environments.

This buyer's guide breaks down those changes, compares them to previous generations, and helps you to decide which model best fits your needs. Whether you're upgrading from the AirPods 2, AirPods 3, or deciding between the AirPods 4 models, this guide helps you to make an informed decision based on your priorities—whether it's sound quality, fit, comfort, or advanced features like ANC. We'll also explain who should consider upgrading to the latest generation.

AirPods (Second-Generation, 2019)	AirPods (Third-Generation, 2021)	AirPods (Fourth-Generation, 2024)	AirPods With ANC (Fourth-Generation, 2024)
EarPods-like design (2012) with long "stems"	AirPods Pro-like design (2019) with wider shape, shorter "stems," and improved fit	Further improved, more comfortable fit with narrower shape	Further improved, more comfortable fit with narrower shape
		Vent system for pressure equalization	Vent system for pressure equalization
Optical in-ear sensors	Skin-detect sensors	Optical in-ear sensors	Optical in-ear sensors
	Inward-facing microphones	Inward-facing microphones	Inward-facing microphones
Tap sensors	Force sensors	Force sensors	Force sensors
Double-tap to play, skip forward, or answer a phone call	Press once to play, pause, or answer a phone call, press twice to skip forward, press three times to skip back, and press and hold for Siri	Press once to play, pause, or answer a phone call, press twice to skip forward, press three times to skip back, and press and hold for Siri	Press once to play, pause, or answer a phone call, press twice to skip forward, press three times to skip back, and press and hold for Siri
	Sweat and water resistance (IPX4)	Dust, sweat, and water resistant (IP54)	Dust, sweat, and water resistant (IP54)
Custom high-excursion Apple driver	Redesigned high-excursion Apple driver based on AirPods Pro	New low-distortion driver and acoustic architecture	New low-distortion driver and acoustic architecture
Custom high dynamic range amplifier	Redesigned high dynamic range amplifier based on AirPods Pro	New high dynamic range amplifier	New high dynamic range amplifier
H1 chip	H1 chip	H2 chip	H2 chip
Bluetooth 5.0	Bluetooth 5.0	Bluetooth 5.3	Bluetooth 5.3
2.4GHz connectivity	2.4GHz connectivity	2.4GHz and 5GHz connectivity	2.4GHz and 5GHz connectivity
	Adaptive EQ	Adaptive EQ	Adaptive EQ
	Spatial audio with dynamic head tracking	Spatial audio with dynamic head tracking	Spatial audio with dynamic head tracking
			Active Noise Cancellation
			Transparency mode
			Adaptive Audio
			Conversation Awareness
		Personalized Volume	Personalized Volume
		Voice Isolation	Voice Isolation
"Hey Siri" command support	"Hey Siri" command support	"Hey Siri" and just "Siri" command support	"Hey Siri" and just "Siri" command support
Up to five hours of listening time with a single charge	Up to six hours of listening time with a single charge (up to five hours with spatial audio)	Up to five hours of listening time with a single charge	Up to five hours of listening time on a single charge with noise control off (up to four hours of listening time on a single charge with Active Noise Cancellation enabled)
Lightning Charging Case	Lightning Charging Case/MagSafe Charging Case with support for Apple Watch charger, Qi‑certified wireless chargers, and MagSafe	USB-C Charging Case	USB‑C Wireless Charging Case with support for Apple Watch charger and Qi‑certified wireless chargers
	Wider charging case	Compact charging case (10% smaller in volume)	Compact charging case (10% smaller in volume)
			Speaker for Find My
Lightning port	Lightning port	USB-C port	USB-C port
Physical pairing button	Physical pairing button	Capacitive pairing button	Capacitive pairing button
Previously $129, now discontinued	Previously $179, now discontinued	$129	$179

Dimensions

With each generation, Apple has refined the design of both the earbuds and the charging case, making them more compact and lightweight. In the AirPods 4, the earbuds are slightly smaller and more ergonomic, while the charging case has seen a 10% reduction in volume, making it easier to carry around. Below, you'll find a detailed comparison of the dimensions of the AirPods across generations, helping you see how Apple has improved the form factor over time.

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Article Link: AirPods 4 vs. Previous Generations Buyer's Guide: All Upgrades Compared

 

[davem20]

The more relevant question seems to be AirPods 4 vs AirPods Pro 2. With AirPods Pro 2 on sale for only ten more dollars than the AirPods 4 is there any reason not to go with the pro?

 

[orbital~debris]

Now need MacRumors to do one of these 'All Upgrades Compared' for iMac, iPhone and iPad.

Won't someone think of the time travellers?!

 

[city_17]

The more relevant question seems to be AirPods 4 vs AirPods Pro 2. With AirPods Pro 2 on sale for only ten more dollars than the AirPods 4 is there any reason not to go with the pro?

It's very simple, if you hate the feeling of eartips, go with Airpods 4 ANC, if you don't mind or even like silicone eartips, then go with the Airpods Pro 2.

 

[WarmWinterHat]

The more relevant question seems to be AirPods 4 vs AirPods Pro 2. With AirPods Pro 2 on sale for only ten more dollars than the AirPods 4 is there any reason not to go with the pro?

I can't stand running and working out with rubber/silicone tips jammed in my ears, and that's about 90% of my AirPods usage.

 

[needsomecoffee]

There are some articles noting how Apple's removal of the audio jack was solely motivated by ensuring only BT headphones could be used. Make battery replacement impossilbe in the Airpods... and profit every three years. Sorry Tim, Lisa, Olivia this is one of the worst decisions for Mother Earth ever. I still use my $10 Panasonic wired ear phones with my older iPhone. They sound much better than wife's Airpods (cause of BT's limited bandwidth). She cannot use them, though, as the port was removed... Simply go gin-up Apple's revenues Tim. Take your hundreds of millions of bonus pay, ensure you are not affected by climate change, and enjoy your retirement (hopefully soon). (Tim seems like an OK guy, but too bought in to the "...shareholder value..." rationale.)

 

[Alex Cai]

So back to the optical in ear sensors? Again it will randomly resume playing music if i put the earbuds in my pocket or on the table with a wierd angle?

 

[davem20]

It's very simple, if you hate the feeling of eartips, go with Airpods 4 ANC, if you don't mind or even like silicone eartips, then go with the Airpods Pro 2.

Makes sense. Need to borrow a pair to see how they fit.

 

[WarmWinterHat]

There are some articles noting how Apple's removal of the audio jack was solely motivated by ensuring only BT headphones could be used. Make battery replacement impossilbe in the Airpods... and profit every three years. Sorry Tim, Lisa, Olivia this is one of the worst decisions for Mother Earth ever. I still use my $10 Panasonic wired ear phones with my older iPhone. They sound much better than wife's Airpods (cause of BT's limited bandwidth). She cannot use them, though, as the port was removed... Simply go gin-up Apple's revenues Tim. Take your hundreds of millions of bonus pay, ensure you are not affected by climate change, and enjoy your retirement (hopefully soon). (Time seems like an OK guy, but too bought in to the "...shareholder value..." rationale.)

There are plenty of USB-C/Lightning adapters for wired headphones, from Apple and a million other companies.

Long story short, you can still use wired headphones to your hearts content.

 

[Andres Cantu]

Curious to hear how the 4’s fit in people’s ears compared to the 2’s, for those who’s 3’s kept falling out.

For MKBHD at least, same issue, lesser extent. The shape itself still looks bigger than the 2’s so that could be the problem.

2’s are perfect for my ears, 3’s not at all.

 

[Scott6666]

AirPods Pro G1 NC is pretty lame. If that’s the level of the AP4 then I don’t think I’ll bother.

 

[1rottenapple]

So back to the optical in ear sensors? Again it will randomly resume playing music if i put the earbuds in my pocket or on the table with a wierd angle?

Not fan of music cutting out when I take the earbuds out. I have a gen 3 airpor and beats redesigned bugs with anc and I love how beats keep playing music.

 

[CarAnalogy]

Not fan of music cutting out when I take the earbuds out. I have a gen 3 airpor and beats redesigned bugs with anc and I love how beats keep playing music.

You can turn that off. Better to have the option. Generally I find it useful.

Only problem is sometimes when I take them out instead of stopping, it starts playing from my iPhone loudspeaker.

 

[Bigkool2inSC]

Makes sense. Need to borrow a pair to see how they fit.

Don't forget the Hearing Aid feature / Hearing test also coming to the Pro 2.
(I don't believe that Airpods 4 will be getting those)

 

[Shin-Ra]

Is Vision Pro still the only Apple device capable of taking advantage of the lossless, 5GHz comms?

 

[BelgianChoklit]

Under the Tim Cook era, I find that the AirPods has been the most impressive product line, by some margin. I'd put the Apple Watch in second place.

But the first gen AirPods were impressive and the versions that cale after made their predecessors look like toys. I still cannot understand how they fit so much tech and battery in such small peanut sized things.

 

[jlc1978]

They look good but the run Time is a non-starter. I primarily use ANC on plane flights and teh would die halfway between some of my flights.

 

[raythompsontn]

I still use my $10 Panasonic wired ear phones with my older iPhone. They sound much better than wife's Airpods (cause of BT's limited bandwidth). She cannot use them, though, as the port was removed...

There is a $10.00 adapter that can plug into a lightning port or another $10.00 adapter that can plug into a USB-C port. The wired headphones then plug into the adapter. The adapter is small enough to leave attached to the wired headphones all the time.

Yes, I know more money. But it does allow all wired headphones to be used with the iPhone or iPad.

 

[Heat_Fan89]

I ordered a pair of AirPods 4 a few days ago from Apple. Hopefully these will have a better fit for me than the AirPods 2nd gen which would fall out.

 

[mk313]

There is a $10.00 adapter that can plug into a lightning port or another $10.00 adapter that can plug into a USB-C port. The wired headphones then plug into the adapter. The adapter is small enough to leave attached to the wired headphones all the time.

Yes, I know more money. But it does allow all wired headphones to be used with the iPhone or iPad.

There are also third party adapters for even less.

 

[nickawhite]

Curious to hear how the 4’s fit in people’s ears compared to the 2’s, for those who’s 3’s kept falling out.

For MKBHD at least, same issue, lesser extent. The shape itself still looks bigger than the 2’s so that could be the problem.

2’s are perfect for my ears, 3’s not at all.

1,000% this! Only consideration for me. Have never had a 2 fall out - both 3's fell out within 15min. Would love to upgrade from the 2's but not if they're going to fall out. Would love to see a direct fit comparison between 2's and 4's!

 

[Cirillo Gherardo]

It's very simple, if you hate the feeling of eartips, go with Airpods 4 ANC, if you don't mind or even like silicone eartips, then go with the Airpods Pro 2.

Does anyone "like" the feeling of eartips? AirPods Pro have them and people choose them for the same reason: they are essential to achieving actual ANC.

 

[raythompsontn]

Would love to upgrade from the 2's but not if they're going to fall out.

Order the 4's. If they don't fit return them within the 14 day return window. The only way to really know.

 

[pappl]

Frequency response graph AP4 vs APP2, where?

📈📉📈📉

 

[gatorvet96]

There are some articles noting how Apple's removal of the audio jack was solely motivated by ensuring only BT headphones could be used. Make battery replacement impossilbe in the Airpods... and profit every three years. Sorry Tim, Lisa, Olivia this is one of the worst decisions for Mother Earth ever. I still use my $10 Panasonic wired ear phones with my older iPhone. They sound much better than wife's Airpods (cause of BT's limited bandwidth). She cannot use them, though, as the port was removed... Simply go gin-up Apple's revenues Tim. Take your hundreds of millions of bonus pay, ensure you are not affected by climate change, and enjoy your retirement (hopefully soon). (Tim seems like an OK guy, but too bought in to the "...shareholder value..." rationale.)

Yes you can. With a simple adapter you can use plug in with Lightning or USB-C. Not like most will use headphones at the same time they need to charge their phone.