Apple offers AirPods 4 in two versions. The low-end one has come down to $89 (from $129), and gives up on active noise cancellation. The more expensive one is $179 and includes that feature. Lots of reviewers make a strong case for the pricier model. They point to noise blocking and wireless charging as the key things you can’t live without – fair enough if you’re stuck in a noisy city or always on the move. But after living with both models for a while now, the base model is still the smarter choice for everyday life.
Slip them in and the first thing you notice is how comfy they are. Apple studied thousands of ear shapes and used the data to give these buds a better fit. The angle is a bit different, the vents have moved, and they smooth out over more ear shapes without applying any pressure. The old AirPods used to wobble around a bit when you ran or had a longish call – these ones stay put whether you’re commuting, stuck at your desk or just out for a quick walk. And because they don’t use silicone tips, you won’t get that nasty ear-fatigue after wearing them all day. In fact, lots of people report forgetting they even have them in.
- REBUILT FOR COMFORT — AirPods 4 have been redesigned for exceptional all-day comfort and greater stability. With a refined contour, shorter stem,...
- PERSONALIZED SPATIAL AUDIO — Personalized Spatial Audio with dynamic head tracking places sound all around you, creating a theater-like listening...
- IMPROVED SOUND AND CALL QUALITY — AirPods 4 feature the Apple-designed H2 chip. Voice Isolation improves the quality of phone calls in loud...
The sound quality is pretty much identical to the top-of-the-line model when noise cancellation is switched off. Apple’s new amplifier and acoustic design make for a decent step up in hi-fi – the treble is clearer, the mid-range is fuller, and the bass is pretty good for open-ear buds. It’s punchy and doesn’t get all muddled up. Spatial audio adds some welcome width to movies or albums on your iPhone – turn on head-tracking and it really feels like you’re right in the middle of the action. And when it comes to making phone calls, the sound is crisp – voice isolation does a good job of cutting out background chatter.
Battery life is respectable too – you can get 5 hours of playback on a single charge, stretch it to 30 with the case – and a 5 minute top-up will give you another hour of listening time. And, because they’re now water and dust resistant, you don’t have to worry about using them in the rain or at the gym.
But what locks the deal for Apple fans is how seamlessly they integrate with your Apple gear. Pairing happens in a split-second – just open the case near a device and it connects. Switching between your iPhone, iPad or Mac is a breeze – no menus to navigate. The squeeze-to-play feature still works a treat, and of course you can summon Siri on the fly. And, for when you’re watching movies on a flight, it’s easy to share the audio between two AirPods.
Active noise cancellation does work pretty well in noisy spots – it’s certainly a help in blocking out the bustle of the subway or the sound of the office air-con. But there’s no getting away from the fact that open-air buds leak out some sound by their very nature. So if you find yourself in a quiet home, or out for a walk in the park, or just want to focus on your work in a peaceful space – you’re probably better off with the standard AirPods. You get to hear the world around you a bit more clearly, and the music still sounds great.
Saving money is pretty vital in today’s economy – it covers things like overpriced cases, Apple Music subs, and the daily coffee runs. The “upgrades” on the more expensive version – wireless charging, a case with a built-in speaker for FindMy – are okay, but let’s be real, they don’t really change your daily habits. You can just plug in a cable once a day or use Find My from your iPhone with your existing case most of the time and it’s all good.
The truth is, daily routines don’t usually require complete silence. You know, like listening to a morning podcast while you’re sipping your coffee, or just having some tunes on in the background as you’re on your train – you don’t need to crank up the volume. Nor do you need super-silence when you’re making a phone call while walking the dog though standard AirPods do nail these sorts of everyday moments. What they’ve done is refine what was already good about earlier models: they’re lightweight, still have a reliable connection and produce solid sound. They’ve even improved fit and sound quality without forcing you to use features that you’d only ever use every now and then.
