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Key Notes
- If we take a look at what has changed, new AirPods 4 (ANC) incorporates noticeable changes in sound, pro-integrated Apple’s H2 audio chip, and features like noise cancellation and Voice Isolation.
- The AirPods 3 was released in 2021 and comes with features such as Personalized Spatial Audio with feature to follow head movements and up to 5 hours of continuous music and audio playback for each charge.
- The previous model of true wireless earbuds from Apple is the AirPods 3, which start at $179 for the AirPods 3 with Active Noise Cancellation.
The AirPods 3 are a rather good pair of headphones – at least if you consider the price range they are placed in. But they all had one downside – noise cancellation was not an option. In the AirPod 4, Apple offers noise cancellation and includes a couple of the characteristics provided in the Pro Model to make the latest earbuds generation inspiring and a formidable improvement. Here’s why.
AirPods 4 (ANC) Priced the Same as AirPods 3
To make things slightly more complex, Apple has released two new AirPods 4 versions onto the market. The standard AirPods 4 go for $129, and the company did not equip them with any type of noise cancellation. The $179 AirPods 4 (ANC), however, has high-end features such as ANC, Transparency Mode, Conversation Awareness and the like.
The $179 AirPods 3 are no longer selling on Apple’s official store but you can find them in other stores. Since the AirPods 4 (ANC) are priced the same as the AirPods 3, we will compare these two versions in this article for the sake of keeping it simple and let you know whether the new version offers the same value and functionality for the same amount or the AirPods3 are better in every way.
AirPods 4 (ANC) Are More Compact and Lightweight
Originally in 2021, Apple upgraded the standard AirPods as slight in terms of size and design but easily recognizable. The AirPods 4 (ANC) share the same form factor design language as the 3rd generation AirPods, and they are just smaller.
The AirPods 4 (ANC) is/are visibly a little bit shorter than AirPods 3 but not significantly. As for the weight, both pairs of earbuds are identical – 0.15oz.
Notably, both AirPods 4 variants are equipped with a charging case that is the smallest in the series, according to Apple. Comparatively, it is almost as tall, but much slimmer with a width that is that roughly the same, though slightly less, and again, literally millimetres thinner than the charging case of the AirPods 3.
The new charging case (with the ANC version) is 3.21g lighter than the older generation charging case. The second difference is that there is no button within the Home or Personal/Smart Cab environment. This charging case now responds to a double tap near the LED light on the front. To set a device for Bluetooth pairing hope once, while to reset the device, one has to hope three times.
Finally, the speaker enclosure of the AirPods 4 is less IP54 for dust, sweat and water as compared to the IPX4 of the AirPods 3.
Apple’s H2 Chip Unlocks Pro-Grade Features
Both the AirPods 3 and the AirPods 4 have an open design, meaning that they do not come with silicon ear tips, although both of them have a host of differences. The AirPods 4 models feature a new acoustic design that employs a low-distortion driver and packs a high dynamic range amplifier for sound that is superior to that of the AirPods 3.
With the help of the second-generation H2 chip – the AirPods 4 (ANC) has received all the maximum features, including active noise cancellation, Transparency mode, and Conversation boost.
The device during the current iteration of the product was already outfitted with earbuds that can change the volume depending on the surrounding environment (Adaptive Audio). They also have Voice Isolation which is a microphone mode that enhances the sound of the person speaking while at the same time reducing the amount of surrounding noise during a call.
Instead of a skin detection sensor on AirPods 3, you get an Optical In-ear sensor on the AirPods 4. In the present release, Apple has decided to upgrade Bluetooth to v5.3 from the previous v5.0 that was implemented earlier. One of the things that was omitted on the AirPods 3 is the vent system which helps in equalizing pressure and is now available on the AirPods 4.
Also, the AirPods 4 note does not only sound better but offers most of the Pro-grade features that one gets with the AirPods Pro 2.
AirPods 3 Provide Improved Battery Life
It has all going for the new AirPods 4 in terms of features, but it’s the battery life that negates it. Apple has its claims to state that the AirPods 3 can offer 6 hours of use for music and podcasts and the AirPods 4 (ANC) lasts only 4 hours. If the noise cancellation feature is not employed, the AirPods 4 offers real use of up to five hours.
As for the extra charge, the charging case for AirPods 3 discusses up to 30 hours of listening time. Then there is the newly released AirPods 4 (ANC) which lasts up to 20 hours when fully charged while the AirPods without ANC have a battery capability that stretches up to 30 hours amongst fully charged cases.
All kinds of AirPods can afford up to 1 hour of playback time, provided the former charges the case for 5 minutes.
Introducing Siri Interactions
Although the feature has been around for some time (on the AirPods Pro 2), Siri interactions are a welcome addition to the AirPods 4.
Essentially, the feature lets you nod your head yes or shake it no when Siri asks whether you want to answer a call or hear a message. The feature comes in handy, especially if both your hands are occupied, or you’re in a crowded place (like an elevator or a subway) and don’t want to interact with Siri verbally.
AirPods 4’s Case Gets Wireless Charging (And a Find My Speaker)
The AirPods 3 came with two charging cases: the regular case with a Lightning connector and the MagSafe Charging case for wireless charging.
With the regular AirPods 4 (without ANC), you get a USB-C charging case, while the ANC version adds support for wireless charging via an Apple Watch charger or Qi-certified chargers.
In addition, the $179 AirPods 4 now features a tiny Find My speaker on the case. If you lose the case, you can ping the speaker and locate it, provided it is within Bluetooth of a Find My device.
Which One Should You Choose?
Of course, the AirPods 4 have a lot of improvements over their predecessors, therefore, it is a good idea to upgrade. However, the question here is what these features are worth to you. If you own the AirPods 3 and you don’t care about noise cancellation, then wait for the next generation instead of getting the AirPods 4 (ANC).
You can, yet, get the standard AirPods 4 for higher battery duration (particularly if your AirPods battery power will degrade with time).
If you are in a dilemma over the two new models, I’d recommend you go for the AirPods 4 (ANC) and they will not let you down. For $179, the package includes better sound, active noise cancellation and transparency modes, wireless charging and Find My for the speaker.
So if you’re on the hunt for cheaper earbuds, go ahead and grab the AirPods 4. For $129, the earbuds feature enhanced sound quality with support for Voice Isolation, the H2 chip, and comes with a new charging case that is smaller and lighter.
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