Apple’s new AirPods 4 come with minor design improvements and major upgrades to sound quality, with a model that supports noise cancellation for the first time in the basic AirPods models other than the Pro models.
The AirPods 4 come in two versions: one with active noise cancellation (ANC) and the other without, and both versions look identical in shape and come in a shape that is almost identical to the model released two years ago. However, there is a slight change in the size of the earphone and its design, which makes it ideally fit in the ear and comfortable even after using it for a few hours.
On the other hand, the processor update has contributed to improving the sound quality and supporting a range of advanced features that will greatly enhance the listening experience.
If you are thinking of buying the new AirPods 4 from Apple, the following review will help you learn about all the specifications and features of these headphones so that you can make the final decision.
Design
Apple’s latest AirPods come in a small white body, and come with a design similar to the previous model’s design, including short stems, and do not contain silicone earplugs, unlike the AirPods Pro 2 model. Apple has indicated that it has improved the design to be more comfortable in the ear, which means that you can use these headphones for long periods of time without feeling discomfort.
The AirPods 4 are the first wireless headphones from Apple to come with an open-ear design that supports the active noise cancellation feature; the only Pro model that supports this feature comes with earplugs that ensure the ear is completely closed, while the AirPods 4 supports this feature without the need to plug the ear.
The charging case comes in white and is identical to the previous model’s case in design, but it is 10% smaller and has the ability to charge the earbuds five times.
Sound quality and key features
AirPods 4 are powered by the H2 processor, which is the same processor that powers the AirPods Pro 2, and supports most of the features supported by the Pro model, such as: automatic switching between devices connected to the headphones, and sharing audio with other AirPods from one device. In addition to the new voice isolation feature for calls that greatly reduces background noise, there are also new head gestures to interact with Siri without talking to him; you can shake your head to reject or answer calls.
Apple has also improved the sound quality of the new AirPods, as they produce clear, pure, high-quality and balanced sound, without any noise or distortion.
It also supports spatial audio with the dynamic head tracking feature, and this feature provides a three-dimensional listening experience; as the sound surrounds you from every direction when listening to music or watching visual content via Apple devices, or playing video games.
One of the most important features supported by the fourth generation of AirPods is active noise cancellation, and as we mentioned earlier, there is a model of this headset that supports this feature and another model that does not support it.
This feature reduces the intensity of most external sounds by at least a third; these headphones take advantage of the power of the H2 chip and improved microphones to reduce low-frequency ambient noise before it reaches your ears, such as the sound of airplane engines, air conditioning systems, and street traffic.
On the other hand, these headphones support the adaptive noise cancellation feature that automatically changes the level of noise cancellation based on the amount of ambient noise, and there is also a transparency mode that allows you to hear the sounds around you without affecting the clarity of the sound you are listening to.
Another feature that the new headphones from Apple have is Conversation awareness, which is a feature that detects when you start talking to people, activates transparency mode, and reduces the volume of the music you are listening to.
AirPods work with Android devices, but do not support advanced features such as: pausing music when removing the headphones from the ear, and conversation awareness.
Battery life
The new Apple AirPods 4 can last up to five hours without noise cancellation enabled, up to four hours with it enabled, and up to 30 hours with the charging case.