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The active noise cancellation works well enough to help you keep the volume at a reasonable level \u2014 even on city streets.<\/em><\/figcaption><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n
There are other perks included with the higher-end $179 AirPods 4. The case supports wireless charging either with Apple\u2019s MagSafe pucks or any Qi-compatible charger. And there\u2019s also a built-in speaker on the case that can emit a sound when you\u2019re trying to track it down with Apple\u2019s Find My app. The standard $129 AirPods 4 lack these features. I\u2019m fine losing the speaker, but having to go without wireless charging in the base model stings and meaningfully takes away from their value.\u00a0<\/p>\n<\/div>\n
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As ever, the AirPods 4 still only come in white.<\/em><\/figcaption><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n
Sound-wise, these are Apple\u2019s best regular AirPods yet. The overall sound signature hasn\u2019t changed much from the AirPods 3, but the AirPods 4 provide a thicker layer of bass than their predecessors; I\u2019ve noticed greater instrument separation when listening to songs like \u201cTiny Moves\u201d by Bleachers; there\u2019s more finesse and clarity to the upper range \/ treble. The AirPods Pro maintain a leg up when it comes to overall fidelity, but I\u2019d have no issues living with the AirPods 4. And again, the regular and ANC models are identical in this department.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n
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I still have to be intentional and twist these AirPods into my ears just right if I want them to stay put. But once they\u2019re in, they\u2019re fairly snug, even when I\u2019m rushing down the subway station stairs to catch a train. With the AirPods Pro, I can just sort of cram them in without giving it any thought. But even I can admit that the AirPods 4 are more comfortable over long listening sessions. <\/p>\n<\/div>\n
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The charging case keeps shrinking. Only the ANC model supports wireless charging.<\/em><\/figcaption><\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n
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Another telltale sign that you\u2019re looking at the AirPods 4 with ANC is the speaker.<\/em><\/figcaption><\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n
Both the earbuds and case offer IP54 resistance against dust and water.<\/em><\/figcaption><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n
Head gestures are a new capability you get with both sets of the AirPods 4. When toggled on, you can respond to Siri by nodding your head up and down to engage with notifications or answer a call; shaking your head side to side will also dismiss them. I\u2019m not someone who likes having my earbuds pester me with notifications, but in my brief tests, my head movements were detected accurately, even when they were fairly small. Some people might really come to like this way of dealing with Siri, but I\u2019ll be sticking with the more traditional methods.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n
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Anyone who frequently uses their AirPods for voice calls will appreciate the Voice Isolation feature \u2014 already available on the AirPods Pro \u2014 that has now come to the AirPods 4. By running machine learning algorithms simultaneously on the AirPods and source device, Apple can better isolate your voice, even in raucous environments. This is basically akin to Google\u2019s Clear Calling feature, and it can make a significant difference if you need to take a call in less-than-ideal conditions. Note that Voice Isolation is only available on calls and can\u2019t be used when, say, you\u2019re recording a voice memo or a video with your phone.\u00a0<\/p>\n<\/div>\n
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On top of these new features, you get the usual slew of Apple ecosystem tie-ins like audio sharing, automatic switching between devices, hands-free \u201cHey Siri\u201d commands, Apple TV integration, and more. I still very much wish that Apple would include genuine multipoint support so you could pair to two products at once, but at this point, the decision to leave it out seems like a philosophical choice that\u2019s not going to change.\u00a0<\/p>\n<\/div>\n
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The AirPods 4 with ANC will be a tempting upgrade for many. The regular AirPods 4? Maybe less so.<\/em><\/figcaption><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n
Battery life is rated at four hours of playback time with noise cancellation or five hours with it off. Add in the charging case and you get a total of 20 and 30 hours, respectively. (The cheaper AirPods 4 obviously get the longer numbers since there\u2019s no ANC.) I haven\u2019t used them long enough to extensively verify those estimates, but they\u2019ve seemed on point so far. Sadly, Apple still hasn\u2019t made repairability a priority with the AirPods 4, so inevitably, there will come a time when that endurance starts to wane.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n
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I\u2019ll be going right back to regular earbuds after this review. That\u2019s just who I am, and I like having as much noise isolation as possible. But the AirPods 4 with ANC are far and away Apple\u2019s most compelling take on this open design yet. The noise cancellation isn\u2019t on par with more expensive in-ear alternatives, but it\u2019s easily good enough to ensure you can enjoy your music at a normal volume no matter where you might be. You can tell a difference when the ANC is working, which I can\u2019t say of other open earbuds that have advertised noise cancellation. That, combined with the wireless charging, is the biggest reason I\u2019d steer most people toward the more expensive model.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n
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The standard AirPods 4 give you the same good audio performance, and they effortlessly weave into Apple\u2019s ecosystem. They\u2019re also a substantial upgrade over the second-gen model that they\u2019ve replaced for the same $129, but beyond the walled garden tricks, Apple left them with relatively few frills compared to the ANC pair. So unless you\u2019re very price-conscious, it\u2019s worth stepping up. Your ears will be supremely grateful you spent the extra $50.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n
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Photography by Chris Welch \/ The Verge<\/em><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
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