AirPods 4 Hands-On: Noise Cancellation Without Ear Tips for Those Who Hate Them

Apple has officially launched the AirPods 4, and for the first time, the iconic earbuds are available in two versions, with a $50 price difference between them. The base model is priced at $129, while the higher-tier version, at $179, brings active noise cancellation (ANC) to the open-fit design. Apple’s approach aims to address noise cancellation without requiring silicone ear tips, a feature we’ve only seen attempted by a few other brands like Samsung’s Galaxy Buds 3.

Having tried the AirPods 4 at Apple’s recent event, I found that the new earbuds look and feel quite similar to the previous models, though Apple claims the design has been refined for a more secure fit. The charging case is now smaller and lighter, and the ANC version also supports wireless charging with a built-in speaker for easier tracking via Apple’s “Find My” app.

The internal acoustic architecture has been redesigned to improve sound quality, and the AirPods 4 inherit many features from the AirPods Pro, including adaptive audio, transparency mode, and conversation awareness, all powered by the new H2 chip.

Preorders for the AirPods 4 are live, alongside the Apple Watch Series 10, with the official launch date set for September 20th. We’ll have a full review of how well the ANC works soon, but I’m curious to see how it compares to the in-ear fit and noise isolation of the AirPods Pro.