Apple AirPods 4 land in two options: here are the differences

(Image credit: Aplpe)

Huge news, AirPods lovers! The Apple AirPods 4 are finally here – in two variants! On top of that, Apple has unveiled significant updates across the entire AirPods lineup. The AirPods 4 and AirPods 4 with Active Noise Cancellation just made their entrance at Apple's much-vaunted It's Glowtime iPhone 16 event.

We shouldn't be surprised; Apple's biggest AirPods launch to date was prophesized earlier in the year, and we have to hand it to Apple – that's what has happened.

So here we are. Here's the full scoop from Apple Park (yes, we've got our people on the ground – but if you need to catch up, our Glowtime live-blog is the place to go) and here are the main differences between the two sets of AirPods.

Oh, and in case you came here looking for them, the cheaper pair is likely the hotly-anticipated AirPods 'Lite'. Meanwhile, the AirPods Pro 3 haven't landed, but there have been several updates to the software.

And although new AirPods Max did land (to a degree) Apple Park shindig, it's not the lossless audio support we might have hoped for.

That said, we'll take two all-new sets of AirPods over none at all (we've been waiting a while).

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AirPods 4: the dual AirPods release you need to know about

The design of both sets is… well, at a glance, it's just another day at the office for Apple (and if you wanted the purple colorway Apple once planned, you'll be disappointed) but Apple has worked extensively on its open-ear sizing, developing over 50 million size mapping charts, and there's an "all new acoustic architecture" in what Apple's calling its "best AirPods design ever, in this open-ear design".

Specs-wise, the headline-grabber is the inclusion of Apple's H2 chip – in both pairs.

This means support for personalised Spatial Audio and gesture detection in both sets, using machine learning for better hands-free calls. You'll be able to shake your head no, or nod your head yes in response to Siri's announcements. Voice isolation tech promises to instantly remove extraneous noise in calls, too.

Also in both pairs, the stems feature a force sensor, which you can squeeze to play or pause music or to end (or mute) calls.

Now, active noise cancellation: it's only in the step-up set (for the first time in non-Pro AirPods and the first in this open AirPods design) along with upgraded mics and processing. You also get support for Conversation Awareness (which lowers playback when you speak) and wireless charging support in the case for the pricier pair – which now also contains a speaker for easier Find My support. The cheaper case charges via USB-C, natch – and it's also the smallest case ever made for AirPods.

Battery life was one area ripe for improvement in 2024 across Apple's pioneering earbuds, and Tim Cook's behemoth has… well, been a little quiet about the stamina within these new Spatial Audio-supporting headphones. All we have is a slightly underwhelming 30-hour total claim – yes, that's as much as we have, thus far.

The pricier AirPods 4 also get transparency mode and Adaptive Audio, which automatically adjusts the levels of noise-nixing as you move into different environments.

Pricing? Of course – it's a big factor when considering whether to buy a new set of AirPods. You won't be shocked to learn that while they might well land in our best noise cancelling earbuds guide soon, neither is a set of truly budget wireless earbuds. That said, they're not ridiculously expensive either, at $179 / AU$299 for the active noise-cancelling AirPods 4 (so probably £179) and $129 / £129 / AU$219 for the entry-level AirPods 4.

Availability? September 20.

Given that the 2021-launch AirPods 3 arrived priced at $179 / £169 / AU$279 and the late-2022 issue AirPods Pro 2 landed with an asking fee of $249 / £249 / AU$399, it's (dare we say it?) sensible pricing from Apple. Because Apple.

Becky became Audio Editor at TechRadar in 2024, but joined the team in 2022 as Senior Staff Writer, focusing on all things hi-fi. Before this, she spent three years at What Hi-Fi? testing and reviewing everything from wallet-friendly wireless earbuds to huge high-end sound systems. Prior to gaining her MA in Journalism in 2018, Becky freelanced as an arts critic alongside a 22-year career as a professional dancer and aerialist – any love of dance starts with a love of music. Becky has previously contributed to Stuff, FourFourTwo and The Stage. When not writing, she can still be found throwing shapes in a dance studio, these days with varying degrees of success.