Here’s all the changes between the new AirPods 4 lineup and AirPods Pro 2: Active Noise Cancellation The new AirPods 4 with Active Noise Cancellation tout noise cancellation capabilities for the first time for Apple’s non in-ear earbuds.
However, you should not expect to get the same degree of noise cancellation effect as AirPods Pro.
Apple says AirPods Pro can cancel noise about twice as much as AirPods 4.
Charging Case Features A more subtle difference in the lineup is the functionality of the charging case.
AirPods 4 with Active Noise Cancellation includes a USB-C charging case, that also supports wireless charging using Qi chargers, or an Apple Watch charger.
However, AirPods Pro has the most advanced charging case, touting MagSafe support (this means it can magnetically auto-align to MagSafe chargers).
The AirPods Pro case also has an integrated lanyard loop, which AirPods 4 cases do not include.
Battery Life AirPods 4 without noise cancellation tout the same battery life longevity as AirPods (third-generation).
That is a significant difference to AirPods Pro, which can last for up to 6 hours of listening time with noise cancellation active.
AirPods Pro 2 are listed at Apple at $249, although you can often find them cheaper elsewhere.
For the first time in years, Apple has updated the entry-level AirPod model. Two new models, one priced at $129 and featuring active noise cancellation and the other without, are now available.
Up until now, the AirPods Pro’s hero-only feature was ANC. So what are the differences between the new AirPods (not Pro) and their predecessors?
There is a noticeable distinction between the features of Apple’s new AirPods lineup, with Active Noise Cancellation being exclusive to the higher-end models, despite the fact that many of them overlap. Even though the new base model AirPods 4 has an updated design, they can be considered a direct replacement for the second-generation AirPods.
The following lists every difference between the AirPods Pro 2 and the new AirPods 4 lineup:.
Utilizing Active Noise Cancelling.
The first-ever noise cancellation features for Apple’s non-in-ear earbuds are featured in the new AirPods 4 with Active Noise Cancellation. But don’t anticipate experiencing the same level of noise cancellation as with AirPods Pro.
Apple claims that the noise cancellation of AirPods Pro is roughly twice that of AirPods 4. Apple has released technical specifications for the new AirPods 4, which imply that they will function in terms of noise cancellation roughly on par with the first-generation AirPods Pro. However, we will have to wait to test the new AirPods 4 for ourselves.
Still, the feature set appears to be the same otherwise. The H2 chip powers the Transparency mode, Adaptive Audio, and Conversation Awareness noise reduction features on the AirPods Pro 2 and AirPods 4. Depending on the conditions around you, these features intelligently adjust, activate, and deactivate the active noise cancellation effect.
The standard model AirPods obviously do not support any of the associated features because they do not have any active noise cancellation at all.
The features of the charging case.
The charging case’s functionality is a more subtle difference in the lineup. The most basic USB-C charging case—one that doesn’t even support wireless charging—comes with the AirPods 4.
A USB-C charging case for the AirPods 4 with Active Noise Cancellation is included; it can also be charged wirelessly with an Apple Watch charger or a Qi charger. A speaker for Find My is also integrated into the case.
With its most sophisticated charging case, the AirPods Pro, on the other hand, boasts MagSafe support—that is, the ability to magnetically automatically align with MagSafe chargers. Another feature that the AirPods Pro case has that the AirPods 4 cases lack is an integrated lanyard loop.
Life of Battery.
The third-generation AirPods have a similar battery life to the AirPods 4, which do not feature noise cancellation. That is, a single charge can provide up to 5 hours of listening time.
However, AirPods 4 battery life is only stated to last 4 hours of listening on a single charge when Active Noise Cancellation is turned on. With the AirPods Pro, you can listen for up to 6 hours while the noise cancellation is enabled. That is a big difference.
The AirPods 4 might not be for you if having a long battery life for listening sessions is your top priority.
For a total of up to 30 hours of listening time, the earbuds can be recharged roughly six times with the charging case included in all models.
The cost.
The AirPods 4 are the least expensive model in the lineup, costing $129. For $179, you can get the AirPods 4 with Active Noise Cancellation. Although they are frequently available for less elsewhere, Apple lists the AirPods Pro 2 at $249.
In essence, the upgraded case and noise cancellation cost an extra $50 when compared to the base AirPods 4. With their in-ear design, longer battery life, swipe gesture for volume adjustment, and MagSafe case features, AirPods Pro 2 cost an additional $70. The package of AirPods Pro 2 also includes a USB-C cable; however, you will need to bring your own charging cable for AirPods 4.
To sum up.
If you want wireless earbuds but dislike the feel of in-ear tips, the new AirPods 4 with noise cancellation are a great option for Apple users. It achieves a good balance between features and functionality, with some noise cancellation in noisy areas. It feels like a pretty good deal at $179.
The best-in-class noise cancellation, longer battery life, and touch sensor on the stalk for volume control make the AirPods Pro the clear winner, even though they come at an extra $70 price. When the AirPods Pro are released later this year, they will also only come with the new hearing test, hearing aid, and hearing protection features.