Apple Unveils AirPods 4 With Two Models Featuring Improved Fit, USB-C, and More

[HornOfAbraxas]

Having two separate base models on top of a Pro and Max version makes the AirPods lineup VERY messy and confusing imo. Also, you can almost always secure the Pro 2s with USB-C at most retailers for $179 anyway so what's the point of the ANC model?

VERY messy and confusing? There's one over-the-ear, one with tips, one base with ANC and one without. That's "very confusing"?

The open-ear model is for people who don't like tips. My wife and I had Pros and sold them because of the tips. Not everyone enjoys the feeling of rubber tips sliding in and out of your ear, and not everyone's ear shape is conducive to them staying in.

I don't think having one additional model takes the lineup from acceptable to "very messy and confusing"

 

[MiniApple]

the 4 ANC are intriguing, wonder if I can test the ANC and return it if it's not to my liking (we don't have US laws where I live).

Probably will buy a pair of those if my current Pro 2's reach their end of life.

 

[kerr]

Listening time on one charge:

AirPods 2: up to 5 hours
AirPods 3: up to 6 hours

AirPods 4: (only) up to 5 hours
AirPods 4 ANC: (only) up to 5 hours

 

[noraa]

I’m intrigued by the AirPods 4 with active noise cancellation since they’re not a sealed design. I imagine they won’t work nearly as well as the AirPods Pro (or other similar designs), but if they work as well as Apple has advertised that would be very impressive.

 

[xjt]

I’m intrigued by the AirPods 4 with active noise cancellation since they’re not a sealed design. I imagine they won’t work nearly as well as the AirPods Pro (or other similar designs), but if they work as well as Apple has advertised that would be very impressive.

The Galaxy Buds3 non pro version is open and has ANC also… have been using with my work phone and has been great. It’s not as much cancellation as get with a seal but way more than expected on an open design.

 

[Tagbert]

The hearing aid feature in the Pros could be huge. I didn't understand if you need to buy a new version or if the hearing aid and hearing tests will be available to current models with software/firmware updates. Anyone know?

They aren’t releasing new AirPods Pro 2 so the software should run on the existing ones. Not sure that it will work on the first gens though.

 

[redboxcar]

I'm a little torn. I love my AirPods 3, but the right bud has completely died at this point. I hate ANC but I really want the QOL features of the stupid case, like wireless charging and the speaker for Find My. 😭 I pre-ordered the 4, then canceled and ordered the 4 with ANC. Now I'm kind of thinking I don't need to spend the extra money for the case... and should cancel and go back to the regular 4. First world problems.

 

[kerr]

Wish the name was better though. AirPods 4 with Active Noise Cancellation doesn't exactly roll off the tongue.

I would have preferred AirPods 4 Plus.

Hate it when they list features in product names:
-AirPods 3 with Lightning Charging Case
-AirPods 3 with MagSafe Charging Case
-AirPods 4 with ANC

It’s just clumsy.

 

[Ralfi]

I mean... I'd get the orange Maxes.

Very disappointed in the Airpods Max announcement... No improved noise cancelation, construction, chips, lossless sound or anything, really. Just new colors and replacing the obsolete connector per legal requirements.

I need new ones - my current ones are behaving increasingly erratically - but maybe something else has improved in the last four years.

These are not AirPod Max.

I think I’d like these. I have the AirPod Pro 2. They work great, and they are comfortable. But I don’t like how they close off the outside world. Most of the time I like a little bit of the real world to intrude. I don’t like feeling cut off.

It’s an interesting product & decision by Apple - they’ve kind of listened to the crowd & made a ANC option without the thing that annoys a lot of people - rubber tips digging into ones ears, but will they work effectively enough.

What's the point of noise cancelling on non-sealed earbuds?

That just doesn't work no matter what Apple try to make you think.
Probably about 50 models of earbuds that have better sound with noise cancelling default and isolation for under $150 on Amazon right now.

I’ll wait to see how reviews pit these against the AirPods Pro. I’ll most likely wait for the APP3 as I skipped the 2nd generation for not having enough to make me upgrade the OGs.

 

[stiligFox]

Hmmm, I was interested in getting these until reading this, as I’ve got tinnitus already courtesy of playing in bands for years. Might look at the non-pro version instead…

I would try them, but be careful. I’ve read that the ANC helps many people with tinnitus but makes it worse for others like me. I feel like it might depend on the type of tinnitus you experience?

But I was able to tell both times within the return period of where I got them (Best Buy first time, Apple the second) and returned them no problem. Just… if you feel like it’s making your tinnitus more noticeable even after taking them out of your ears for a while, I’d definitely stop using them. For me the longer I used them the longer it took for my tinnitus to go back down.

Been using the AirPods 3 for almost two years now though with no detriment at all!

 

[SactoGuy18]

But sadly, I'm not interested in the AirPods 4 with ANC. I still worry they will fall off my ears rather easily.

 

[rbf1138]

Do these typically show up for preorder and/or pickup on release day at Target?

 

[Mrkevinfinnerty]

Did I miss something? Is there no new Airpod Pros?

new model coming next year with heart rate tracking according to 9to5mac

 

[Woodstockie]

Volume tap control?

 

[kmichalec]

So AirPods 2nd Generation are dead and no longer going to be produced?

(Guess it might be time to stock up before supplies run out if the AirPods 3/4 design doesn't work for your ear)

 

[klasma]

So AirPods 2nd Generation are dead and no longer going to be produced?

Both AirPods 2 and 3 have been removed from the store.

(Guess it might be time to stock up before supplies run out if the AirPods 3/4 design doesn't work for your ear)

👍

 

[Qu1ckset]

Talk about improved fit but no comparison to the AP3 or AP2s

I want to know if they the same size as the AP3 or slightly smaller

 

[yadmonkey]

Guess they didn't want to mention that even with the Air Pods Pro first gen you can upload an audiogram and enable a hearing aid functionality based on your actual hearing, and also works with other sources you listen to through the AirPods Pro......

Wow, I had no idea! Can you point me in the right direction to get started on this?

 

[Banksy91]

I'm perplexed on why they refuse to release other colours than white with the Airpods. I refuse to make the switch from my Jabra elites until they provide a less conspicuous, grey or black colour...or even better get ride of the antenna altogether. I can't be the only one who is resisting making the switch due to this factor. Why not provide more options that would attract more users? I have every other apple product....

 

[WarpRider]

Having two separate base models on top of a Pro and Max version makes the AirPods lineup VERY messy and confusing imo. Also, you can almost always secure the Pro 2s with USB-C at most retailers for $179 anyway so what's the point of the ANC model?

For people like me with fussy ears, I hate the eartips. These are the perfect product for me. On/over ears are too hot/clampy. So this is best of all possible worlds.

 

[Benz63amg]

Having two separate base models on top of a Pro and Max version makes the AirPods lineup VERY messy and confusing imo. Also, you can almost always secure the Pro 2s with USB-C at most retailers for $179 anyway so what's the point of the ANC model?

Comfort

 

[Benz63amg]

How do you know it doesn't work? I doubt they would release this if it didn't work. Wait until the actual reviews come in.

His claims of it not working are laughable.

 

[Benz63amg]

I’ll pass and stick to my regular 2’s.

That new design since the 3 did not work for my ears. Easily fell off.

The 4’s are redesigned they are not like the 3’s which I agree were horrible

 

[RMo]

In addition to USB-C charging, users can also use an Apple Watch charger or Qi-certified charger to refuel the AirPods 4 charging case.

It should be noted that according to Apple's comparison page, wireless charging is available only on the AirPods 4 with ANC model, not the plain AirPods 4 model:

Interestingly, they also don't list Find My for the plain model. I don't really plan on using ANC, but I guess it's one reason to prefer that model anyway as I look to replace my aging set of AirPod 2s...

 

[urbanracer34]

I figure I should ask this here as well:

Do they come with support for lossless audio with Dolby Atmos from Apple Music?