Apple's latest AirPods 4 have achieved what many thought impossible - effective active noise cancellation (ANC) in an open-ear design. However, early reviews suggest the new earbuds come with both notable strengths and weaknesses.
The standout feature is undoubtedly the ANC performance. Despite the open-ear fit, reviewers found the noise cancellation to be surprisingly effective, with one calling it 95% as good as AirPods Pro 2 in quiet settings. This is a significant achievement for earbuds that don't seal off the ear canal.
Other positives include:
- Compact case design that's highly portable
- Improved comfort compared to previous open-ear AirPods
- Useful touch controls on the stems
- Integration of the H2 chip for enhanced features
However, the AirPods 4 are not without their issues:
- Sound quality received mixed reviews, with some noting issues in bass impact and high-frequency sibilance
- Fit may still be problematic for some users, affecting ANC performance
- Connectivity problems reported by some reviewers, particularly with iPhones
- New button-less case design can be unintuitive for pairing
The AirPods 4 come in two versions:
- Standard model without ANC: $129
- ANC-equipped model: $179
While the ANC model commands a $50 premium, most reviewers strongly recommend it over the base version for its game-changing noise cancellation.
Battery life is rated at 4 hours with ANC on and 5 hours without, which aligns with real-world usage reported in reviews.
Overall, the AirPods 4 represent an impressive technical achievement in bringing effective ANC to an open-ear design. However, potential buyers should weigh the tradeoffs in sound quality and potential connectivity issues against the comfort and convenience offered by these innovative earbuds.
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| A woman enjoying the comfort and functionality of the new AirPods 4 in a serene outdoor setting |
