Review: AirPods 4 – open-ear headphones with noise cancellation

Apple released two new AirPods 4 models this year: A regular version (NIS 750) and a version with active noise cancellation – ANC (NIS 1,000). The model I’m reviewing here comes in the ANC version, which also includes several features in its charging case.

Design and Controls: AirPods 4 – Open Structure Without Volume Control Buttons

The AirPods I use regularly with my Apple devices are the AirPods Pro 2 (for the full review). These headphones do not have an open structure like the new model and include silicone ear tips. The open design has advantages; it allows you to stay connected to the environment and doesn’t create the kind of sealing that might be uncomfortable for some people. In contrast, the closed design with silicone ear tips provides passive noise isolation that filters sounds more effectively.

The AirPods 4 are meant for open-structure enthusiasts, but in my case, after a period of use, they created an uncomfortable pressure on my ears—something I don’t usually experience. So, it’s worth keeping that in mind.

The design of the AirPods 4 is compact, with a stem that incorporates a clickable touch surface at the tip of the stem for skipping tracks or switching between noise cancellation and transparency modes. However, unlike the AirPods Pro 2, they lack the ability to control the volume by sliding your finger along the stem. This absence, like with other models on the market, makes the headphones a bit less comfortable to use.

A nice feature is head gestures, which activate when enabling the announce calls/notifications option. In this case, you can tilt your head up/down or left/right to answer/end calls or listen to messages. It’s an efficient option when your hands are occupied.

The charging case is extremely compact and includes the familiar Find My technology, also known from AirTags. This allows you to locate the case when you’ve misplaced it somewhere, and you can also play a sound from either of the earbuds when they’re lost in the house. The case also features a speaker that can play a sound when trying to find it or indicate a low battery.

In terms of water resistance, the earbuds are rated for dust, water, and moisture with an IP54 rating.

Sound and Calls: AirPods 4 – Spatial Audio for a Better Sound Experience

The AirPods 4 come with the H2 processor, which is also found in the AirPods Pro 2. This is responsible for, among other things, improving sound quality. The Bluetooth version is 5.3, and it also has an acoustic architecture to enhance bass and high-frequency sounds.

Spatial Audio is a fantastic feature if you’re subscribed to Apple Music. It makes listening to music richer in sound, and I also had the option to use head tracking, which made it feel like the sounds were coming from in front of my head. When I moved my head, the song sounded as though it was coming from a different area.

Even without Spatial Audio, the sound quality is impressive—rich, with good separation of sounds, well-defined bass, and clear high-pitched notes. I would have liked a bit more volume; it’s not that it’s too low, but it could be higher. That said, at full volume, the clean sound begins to distort. Compared to the Pro 2 model, which delivers a slightly deeper sound without distortion at full volume.

Apple also offers personalized Spatial Audio, which requires you to take a photo of your face in order to create a personal profile for this feature (based on the size and shape of your head and ears).

The transparency mode works wonderfully. Even when it’s not active, there’s no issue hearing people and knowing what’s happening in your immediate surroundings. When it is on, it feels like there are no earbuds in your ears, so you can talk to people easily. Additionally, if you’re listening to music, you can start talking, and the volume of the music will dramatically decrease and then return to its original volume shortly after you finish speaking.

The highlight of this AirPods 4 model is the combination of ANC in open-structured earbuds. The noise cancellation here works well and is very noticeable, but don’t expect complete isolation.

For phone calls, Apple promises to reduce background noise during conversations. In the calls I made with the earbuds, I received no complaints, and even in a test where I was outside, people heard me clearly.

Batteries: AirPods 4 – Wireless Charging Included

Apple has incorporated wireless charging along with wired charging via a USB-C connector instead of its Lightning port. The battery life of the earbuds, with ANC on, lasts for 4 hours, and the total duration is 30 hours with the charging case. It’s not bad, but not very high either.

Bottom Line: The AirPods 4 bring several welcome upgrades, such as effective ANC that isolates from the environment (for those who want that), along with an open design that keeps you connected to your surroundings. The charging case is very compact, includes a speaker for alerts, and features Find My technology to help you locate it. If you’re a fan of the open design and want quiet with great sound, this model will meet your needs.