AirPods 4 with Active Noise Cancellation: A Comprehensive Review
Apple’s AirPods have been a defining product in the true wireless earbuds market since their initial launch. With each new release, the brand has refined its offering, adding innovative features that enhance the user experience. The latest in this lineup, the AirPods 4 with Active Noise Cancellation (ANC), is no exception. In this detailed review, we will dive deep into everything you need to know about the AirPods 4, from design and sound quality to battery life and performance. Whether you’re considering an upgrade or a first-time purchase, this review will help you make an informed decision.
Introduction
The AirPods 4 represent a significant leap forward for Apple, particularly in the realm of audio performance and user experience. With improved active noise cancellation, enhanced sound quality, and a sleek new design, they are positioned to be a top contender in the premium earbuds market. This article will explore all the aspects that set the AirPods 4 apart from their predecessors and competition.
Design and Build Quality
Sleek, Modern, and Comfortable
The AirPods 4 retain the iconic stem design that has become synonymous with the product line, but with subtle refinements. They are slightly more compact than the AirPods Pro, making them comfortable for long listening sessions. The ergonomic shape ensures a secure fit, which is crucial for both sound isolation and ANC performance.
- Materials: High-quality plastic with a glossy finish, similar to previous models but with a more refined feel.
- Weight: Each earbud weighs just around 5.4 grams, making them lightweight and comfortable for extended wear.
- Water and Sweat Resistance: IPX4-rated, making them suitable for workouts and outdoor use.
Charging Case
The charging case has also seen a redesign. It is more compact and pocket-friendly, yet retains the signature flip-top design. The case supports both MagSafe and Qi wireless charging, in addition to the standard Lightning port.
Sound Quality and Performance
Enhanced Audio Drivers
The AirPods 4 feature new custom high-excursion drivers, offering a richer bass response and clearer mids and highs. The overall sound profile is balanced, making these earbuds versatile for a wide range of music genres and spoken content like podcasts and audiobooks.
- Bass: Deep and punchy, with no distortion even at high volumes.
- Mids and Highs: Crisp and well-defined, ensuring clarity for vocals and instruments.
- Spatial Audio: The inclusion of dynamic head tracking elevates the listening experience, particularly when watching movies or using immersive audio apps.
Adaptive EQ
Apple’s Adaptive EQ technology automatically tunes the low and mid frequencies of the music to the shape of your ear, ensuring a consistent and high-quality listening experience. This feature, combined with the improved drivers, provides a significant upgrade over previous models.
Active Noise Cancellation and Transparency Mode
Advanced ANC Performance
The active noise cancellation on the AirPods 4 has been significantly upgraded. Using a combination of external and internal microphones, the AirPods 4 analyze and counteract external sound with greater precision. This results in an impressive reduction of ambient noise, making them ideal for use in noisy environments like airplanes or busy city streets.
- Noise Isolation: Passive noise isolation is also improved due to the new ear tip design, which offers a more secure fit.
- ANC Effectiveness: Effective at cancelling out low-frequency noises like engine hum, as well as mid-to-high frequencies such as conversations.
Transparency Mode
Transparency mode is equally impressive, allowing external sound to be heard clearly without removing the earbuds. This mode is perfect for quick conversations or staying aware of your surroundings while on the go.
Battery Life and Charging
Long-Lasting Battery
The AirPods 4 offer up to 6 hours of listening time on a single charge with ANC or Transparency mode enabled, and up to 8 hours without these features. The charging case provides an additional 24 hours of listening time, bringing the total to approximately 30 hours.
- Fast Charging: A 5-minute charge in the case provides up to 1 hour of listening time.
- Wireless Charging: Compatible with MagSafe and Qi wireless chargers, adding convenience to the charging process.
Connectivity and Features
Seamless Integration with Apple Ecosystem
As expected, the AirPods 4 integrate seamlessly with the Apple ecosystem. Pairing is instant with all Apple devices linked to the same iCloud account. The new H2 chip enables faster connections and more stable Bluetooth performance.
- Bluetooth 5.3: Ensures a stable and energy-efficient connection.
- Voice Control: Hands-free “Hey Siri” functionality allows for voice commands, message replies, and more.
- Spatial Audio with Dynamic Head Tracking: Provides an immersive audio experience, especially for compatible content on Apple Music and supported apps.
Additional Features
- Audio Sharing: Share audio between two sets of AirPods or Beats headphones.
- Find My Integration: Easily locate your AirPods using the Find My app, with precise tracking and notification features.
Pros and Cons
Pros
- Excellent Sound Quality: Balanced, clear, and dynamic sound profile.
- Effective ANC and Transparency Mode: Significantly reduces ambient noise with seamless transition to transparency mode.
- Comfortable Fit: Lightweight design with improved ergonomics.
- Seamless Apple Integration: Smooth connectivity and features for Apple device users.
- Long Battery Life: Up to 30 hours with the case, fast charging support.
Cons
- High Price: Premium pricing may not be justified for non-Apple users.
- Limited Customization: Less customizable than some competitors in terms of sound profiles and controls.
- No Volume Controls on Earbuds: Lack of on-ear volume controls may be inconvenient for some users.
Final Verdict
The AirPods 4 with Active Noise Cancellation are a worthy upgrade for both new users and those considering an upgrade from previous models. They excel in sound quality, noise cancellation, and integration with the Apple ecosystem. While the price may be a hurdle for some, the overall performance and feature set justify the investment, particularly for those already using Apple products.
For users seeking a premium audio experience with the convenience of seamless device integration, the AirPods 4 stand out as a top choice in the competitive true wireless earbuds market.
FAQs
Are the AirPods 4 worth upgrading from AirPods Pro?
If you value enhanced sound quality and improved ANC, the AirPods 4 offer a noticeable upgrade over the AirPods Pro. The improved battery life and new features like Adaptive EQ and Spatial Audio also make it a compelling choice.
How do the AirPods 4 compare to other premium earbuds?
The AirPods 4 compete well against other premium earbuds like the Sony WF-1000XM4 and Bose QuietComfort Earbuds, especially in terms of noise cancellation and seamless integration with Apple devices.
Do the AirPods 4 support Android devices?
Yes, the AirPods 4 can be used with Android devices, but some features like Siri and seamless device switching are limited to Apple devices.