Apple AirPods 4 Wireless Earbuds, Bluetooth Headphones, Personalized Spatial Audio, Sweat and Water Resistant, USB-C Charging Case, H2 Chip, Up to 30 Hours of Battery Life, Effortless Setup for iPhone Review

The AirPods 4 occupy a fascinating middle ground in Apple's earbuds lineup — sitting above the basic AirPods but below the Pro 2, they're designed for people who want a genuine upgrade without committing to silicone ear tips. After synthesizing real-world user experiences, the picture that emerges is mostly positive, with a few important caveats depending on your ear shape and use case.

The H2 Chip Makes a Real Difference

The headline upgrade here is the H2 chip — the same processor powering the AirPods Pro 2 — and it shows. Personalized Spatial Audio adapts the soundstage to your specific head and ear geometry using your iPhone camera, and users consistently report it feels noticeably more immersive than the generic spatial audio in older AirPods. For watching movies or consuming content on Apple devices, it's genuinely impressive. The audio quality overall punches above what you'd expect from an open-ear design, with cleaner mids and better separation than the previous generation.

Fit: The Make-or-Break Factor

Here's the thing no marketing copy will tell you upfront: the AirPods 4 use the same open-ear, one-size design as every standard AirPods before them. If the original AirPods never sat comfortably in your ears, these won't either. This is the single biggest dividing line among users — those with compatible ear shapes absolutely love them, while those who've always found AirPods slippery will face the same frustration. There are no ear tip options, no fins, nothing to anchor them more securely. If you've never had fit issues with previous AirPods, you're probably fine. If you have, save yourself the return trip and look at the Pro 2 instead.

Active Noise Cancellation — With a Catch

The ANC variant of the AirPods 4 brings noise cancellation to the open-ear form factor for the first time, and it works better than most people expected. It won't match the isolation of in-ear designs — physics is physics — but it meaningfully reduces ambient hum, office chatter, and airplane drone. The Transparency mode is excellent, as it has been on Apple's recent earbuds. Worth noting: ANC is only available on the higher-priced AirPods 4 model, not the base version, so confirm which SKU you're buying.

Battery Life: The 30-Hour Claim in Context

Apple advertises up to 30 hours of total listening time combining the earbuds and the USB-C charging case. The earbuds themselves deliver around 5 hours on a single charge — reasonable, but not class-leading. Real-world usage with features like Spatial Audio and ANC enabled will pull that down noticeably, so the 30-hour total assumes you're cycling charges from the case. The USB-C case is a welcome upgrade from the old Lightning connector and charges quickly.

The Apple Ecosystem Advantage

If you're deep in Apple's world — iPhone, iPad, Mac, Apple Watch — the AirPods 4 are borderline magical in how seamlessly they integrate. One-tap pairing, instant device switching, "Hey Siri" without needing to touch anything, Find My support, and iCloud sync across devices all just work. This is the strongest argument for choosing these over competing earbuds at a similar price. For Android users, the story is much less compelling: you lose most of these features and are essentially paying Apple's premium for inferior ecosystem integration.

Sweat and Water Resistance

The AirPods 4 carry an IPX4 rating, meaning they handle sweat and light splashing without issue. Gym sessions, light rain, and commutes are all fine. Don't submerge them. The case also gets an IPX4 rating on the ANC version, which is a nice touch.

Who Should (and Shouldn't) Buy These

The AirPods 4 are a strong buy for iPhone users who:

• Already know AirPods fit their ears well
• Want better audio and ANC without switching to an in-ear design
• Value seamless Apple ecosystem integration above all else
• Don't need the full isolation of silicone tips

Skip them if you've always had fit issues with standard AirPods, use Android, or want maximum noise isolation — the AirPods Pro 2 or a competing in-ear option will serve you better.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What's the difference between AirPods 4 and AirPods 4 with ANC?

A: The base AirPods 4 do not include Active Noise Cancellation. The higher-priced ANC model adds noise cancellation, Transparency mode, and also includes a case with wireless charging and IPX4 rating. If you want ANC, make sure you're buying the correct variant.

Q: How does AirPods 4 battery life hold up in real use?

A: Apple rates the earbuds at around 5 hours per charge, with up to 30 hours total using the case. Enabling Spatial Audio and ANC will reduce per-charge listening time, so expect closer to 4 hours in heavy-feature use. The USB-C case tops them up quickly between sessions.

Q: Are AirPods 4 worth it if you have AirPods Pro 2?

A: Almost certainly not. The Pro 2 offers better ANC, superior isolation via ear tips, and comparable audio quality. The AirPods 4 are a step up from older standard AirPods, but a step down from the Pro 2 in most measurable ways. The main appeal is the open-ear comfort for those who dislike silicone tips.

Q: Do AirPods 4 work well with Android phones?

A: Basic Bluetooth audio works, but nearly all of the smart features — seamless device switching, Personalized Spatial Audio, Siri, Find My, iCloud sync — require an Apple device. For Android users, there are better-value alternatives from Sony, Samsung, or Google.

Q: Are AirPods 4 good for the gym and workouts?

A: The IPX4 sweat and water resistance rating makes them suitable for workouts. The open-ear design also means you stay aware of your surroundings, which many runners prefer. The fit security during vigorous exercise depends heavily on your ear shape — if previous AirPods stayed put for you during exercise, these will too.

— Tech Lead Editor, CPrice