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

[Timpetus]

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.

I do, if you count liking the feeling of earbuds that don't move around or fall out of my ears. I was only interested in (and purchased) AirPods when the APP came out. Very happy with my APP2, and still have the originals as a backup just in case.

 

[mansplains]

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.

It's crazy since both product lines could be fortune 500 companies if outside of Apple.

 

[.wojtek]

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.

I hope that the world will start copying apple on this one and we will see the end of the utterly dumb rubber/silicone eartips... absolutely can't stand it in ear and it makes the ear tierer after even short usage... I do love non-silicone-tip apple headphones as they just perfectly fit in ear and stay there... magic! <3

 

[Chevyguy2021]

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.

My exact issue

 

[techfreak23]

Anyone else have issues after about a year with the Pros ANC and transparency modes degrading to the point where there is almost no difference between the two modes? Or I should say ANC becomes transparency and doesn’t cancel much audio. Off lets more audio through than transparency mode. It happened with my 1st gen Pros and now with 2nd gen. Brand new they were perfect. I have thoroughly cleaned them multiple times, including the mic, but nothing works. I’ve even reset multiple times and tried to customize the audio.

 

[interessiert]

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.

Earbuds... Click here to read rest of article

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

1rst:
The most important facts are forgotten in this schedules:

Running time of head sets music/phone call and of charging case...

And 2nd: working distance from iPhone / Mac

How journalist are used to work 🙃😅

Nevertheless thanks for the rest of information 👍

 

[Stevenyo]

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 don’t like the fit of the pros, and feel too isolated from my own voice using them on calls, so definitely prefer staying with the “non-pro” style, even at the same price

 

[thejoshuabradshaw]

I have a pair of each kind (don’t judge), but I find myself using the 2’s the most. Simplistic design, throw them on and forget about them. Perfect. I hate the 3’s shorter stem, so, I hope these fit better without the need for the silicone tips.

 

[svish]

The new AirPods 4 seems to be good. Hopefully they fit better.

 

[SkweeBop]

Anyone got a line on wireless earbuds that will last the night, and possibly not go BRONG when they run out of battery and wake you up at four in the morning?