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AirPods 4 vs. Previous Generations Buyer's Guide: All Upgrades Compared

Apple's new AirPods are now available for pre-order. With the release of the AirPods 4 and AirPods 4 with ANC, Apple has made some significant...

For the first time in the standard AirPods range, the ‌AirPods 4‌ offer optional active noise cancellation for an additional $50, providing a quieter and more immersive experience, especially in noisy environments. AirPods(Second-Generation, 2019)AirPods(Third-Generation, 2021)AirPods(Fourth-Generation, 2024)AirPods With ANC(Fourth-Generation, 2024)EarPods-like design (2012) with long "stems"AirPods Pro-like design (2019) with wider shape, shorter "stems," and improved fitFurther improved, more comfortable fit with narrower shapeFurther improved, more comfortable fit with narrower shapeVent system for pressure equalizationVent system for pressure equalizationOptical in-ear sensorsSkin-detect sensorsOptical in-ear sensorsOptical in-ear sensorsInward-facing microphonesInward-facing microphonesInward-facing microphonesTap sensorsForce sensorsForce sensorsForce sensorsDouble-tap to play, skip forward, or answer a phone callPress once to play, pause, or answer a phone call, press twice to skip forward, press three times to skip back, and press and hold for Siri Press once to play, pause, or answer a phone call, press twice to skip forward, press three times to skip back, and press and hold for ‌Siri‌Press once to play, pause, or answer a phone call, press twice to skip forward, press three times to skip back, and press and hold for ‌Siri‌Sweat and water resistance (IPX4)Dust, sweat, and water resistant (IP54)Dust, sweat, and water resistant (IP54)Custom high-excursion Apple driverRedesigned high-excursion Apple driver based on AirPods Pro New low-distortion driver and acoustic architectureNew low-distortion driver and acoustic architectureCustom high dynamic range amplifierRedesigned high dynamic range amplifier based on ‌AirPods Pro‌New high dynamic range amplifierNew high dynamic range amplifierH1 chipH1 chipH2 chipH2 chipBluetooth 5.0Bluetooth 5.0Bluetooth 5.3Bluetooth 5.32.4GHz connectivity2.4GHz connectivity2.4GHz and 5GHz connectivity2.4GHz and 5GHz connectivityAdaptive EQAdaptive EQAdaptive EQSpatial audio with dynamic head trackingSpatial audio with dynamic head trackingSpatial audio with dynamic head trackingActive Noise CancellationTransparency modeAdaptive AudioConversation AwarenessPersonalized VolumePersonalized VolumeVoice IsolationVoice Isolation"Hey ‌Siri‌" command support"Hey ‌Siri‌" command support"Hey ‌Siri‌" and just "‌Siri‌" command support"Hey ‌Siri‌" and just "‌Siri‌" command supportUp to five hours of listening time with a single chargeUp to six hours of listening time with a single charge (up to five hours with spatial audio)Up to five hours of listening time with a single chargeUp to five hours of listening time on a single charge with noise control off (up to four hours of listening time on a single charge with Active Noise Cancellation enabled)Lightning Charging CaseLightning Charging Case/ MagSafe Charging Case with support for Apple Watch charger, Qi‑certified wireless chargers, and ‌MagSafe‌USB-C Char­ging CaseUSB‑C Wireless Char­ging Case with support for Apple Watch charger and Qi‑certified wireless chargersWider charging caseCompact charging case (10% smaller in volume)Compact charging case (10% smaller in volume)Speaker for Find My Lightning portLightning portUSB-C portUSB-C portPhysical pairing buttonPhysical pairing buttonCapacitive pairing buttonCapacitive pairing buttonPreviously $129, now discontinuedPreviously $179, now discontinued$129$179 With each generation, Apple has refined the design of both the earbuds and the charging case, making them more compact and lightweight. Although the noise cancellation isn't as affective as that of the ‌AirPods Pro‌, it performs surprisingly well for open-ear earbuds and offers enough isolation to make a difference in lower-frequency environments like engine hums and busy streets.

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