With the new Airpods 4, Apple now has earphones for all needs in its range. The Bluetooth plugs impress in the practical test with, among other things, a very good sound. The ANC variant also delivers surprisingly effective noise cancellation and an excellent transparency mode.
After the Airpods last received an update almost three years ago, Apple is now bringing a completely revised fourth generation onto the market in two versions. With active noise cancellation (ANC) they cost just under 200 euros, without it around 150 euros. The company now offers Bluetooth earphones for every need, which is why iPhone users hardly have any reason to choose competing products.
Perfect fit, new mini charging case
Apple has slightly changed the contours of the now more compact Airpods, which should make them even more comfortable to wear. While you may not notice this difference because the predecessors are barely noticeable, they seem to be noticeably more secure and don't slip even with violent movements.
You can only see the LED when it is lit.
(Photo: kwe)
It is also noticeable that Apple has further shrunk the charging case, which can now be easily stored in the coin pocket of a pair of jeans. A small but nice detail is the hidden LED, which is now only visible when it is lit. On top of that, it replaces the Bluetooth button on the back. To pair a device that is not automatically recognized, simply tap the LED twice with the lid open.
As with the Pros, the Airpods 4 case now also has a USB-C port. With the ANC version, you can also charge it inductively, including using the dock of an Apple Watch. In addition, only the ANC box plays a sound when you use “Where is?” seeks. The case and plugs are protected against dust and water according to IP54. With the predecessors (IPX4) you had to be more careful.
Excellent sound
Two Airpods 4 cases compared to the already compact Airpods Pro box.
(Photo: kwe)
The Airpods in the fourth generation have made great progress in terms of sound. For earphones without sealing silicone tips, they deliver remarkably powerful bass, but they don't seem pumped up. The mids are nicely defined and wide. In addition, clear highs garnish the overall very successful and pleasantly airy sound. Overall, the Airpods 4 are the new reference in the open earphone class.
The stage is already wide in the standard settings, but if you want, you can now activate spatial audio like with the Airpods Pro. This also gives stereo content greater spatiality, but the new plugs are particularly fun when you listen to films or music with Dolby Atmos (3D audio). Especially for videos, it is a good idea to switch on head detection, which means that the sound remains fixed when you turn your head.
Apple's new H2 chip also enables head gestures, which is very convenient. You can answer or reject calls by nodding or shaking your head when Siri asks. It works similarly when receiving messages.
ANC surprisingly effective
The ANC variant of the Airpods 4 offers surprisingly effective noise cancellation. Although it is not comparable to Apple's Pro plugs, it significantly attenuates consistent low-frequency noise in trains or planes as well as on busy streets. The sound is not audibly affected by the effect. No competitor in the open earphone class can currently do it better. The inherent noise typical of ANC is low.
Virtually no noise can be heard in the excellent transparency mode. It sounds so natural that you feel like you're not wearing any earbuds at all. The Airpods 4 (ANC) are also absolutely great in this discipline.
You can switch between the modes by long-pressing a bar on the Airpods to the left or right. You can also choose an adaptive mode, in which the earphones adapt ANC and transparency mode to the ambient noise. This worked quite well in the practical test, but in everyday life the mode rarely has any real use with open earphones. Conversation recognition is more practical, as the playback volume is reliably reduced quickly when you start a conversation.
No volume control, endurance okay
The control with one, two or three presses is otherwise uncomplicated, but it has one drawback: the volume cannot be changed like with the Airpods Pro by swiping over the earbuds. To do this, you have to pick up your iPhone as before or ask Siri for assistance.
Another small minus point is the endurance. Up to four hours with ANC and five hours without is okay, but other Bluetooth earphones have much more power. With the battery reserves in the charging case, you can get a total of up to 20 or 30 hours. Empty Airpods last just under an hour after five minutes in the box.
Conclusion
You can hardly find better open earphones than the Airpods 4 at the moment. The sound is great, the wearing comfort is outstanding. The ANC version also features effective noise suppression and an excellent transparency mode. If you don't have a problem with silicone attachments, the Airpods Pro 2 are the better choice, and with online prices around 270 euros they are hardly more expensive. Either way, there is now actually no reason for iPhone users to use a competing product – other than to save money.
