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Apple is known for doing things differently. But, an ANC-enabled TWS without the in-ear silicone tips is probably the most surprising thing Apple did this year. Almost everyone expected Apple to launch a new AirPods in September. No one expected a complete line-up refresh – so we have two new AirPods 4 (with and without ANC) along with upgraded AirPods Pro and AirPods Max.
Naturally, I was most intrigued by the ANC model of the AirPods 4. How can AirPods possibly cancel noise without those typical silicone tips? Could microphones alone do the trick? Well, now that I've been using them for a while, I’d call them an interesting pair of earbuds. Given that they are priced at Rs 17,999, significantly less than the AirPods Pro, they make for a good choice for most Apple users.
But how exactly? Read along to know.
Design and fit
The first thing that struck me was the case. These are the most compact AirPods till date and it shows. Not that the size would make a lot of difference in everyday use, as the earlier versions of AirPods would fit in the pocket easily, but it does look cute. The design is such that it screams “Apple” from a distance. The pairing button is now gone (so Apple) and in order to pair, all you have to do is open the lid and long tap on the LED.
Plus, now you have a USB-C port and the buds also support wireless charging, meaning I had to carry one less cable in my bag. Similar to the AirPods Pro 2, the case has a built-in speaker which can ring and alert you about it’s position using Find My Network in case you lose it.
The oddly satisfying pleasure of opening and closing the lid is exactly similar to previous AirPods—thanks to the quality materials. And similar to those, this is also a scratch magnet. Meaning you’ll definitely have to baby this one if you want to keep it looking pristine.
Visually, the AirPods 4 are minimalistic and neat, but the real question is, how do they fit? Oh boy, this is going to be hard to explain. The half in-ear design is great for a lot of people, but I definitely do not belong to that group. This statement further solidified when I began to experience headache and a sense of pain in my earlobes after listening to a few songs. But to be fair, I notice such pain after using every other half in-ear designed earbuds.
That said, for this price, I expect earbuds that are suitable for both relaxing and working out. If you’re someone who likes to run with them, you might find them slipping out, which is a bit of a letdown. If you belong to the group of people I mentioned earlier, these can be a great companion for workouts as they are IP54 rated as well.
Audio quality and Active Noise Cancellation
Despite the half in-ear design, the audio quality of the AirPods 4 is simply impressive. They manage to create a spacious soundstage with a sense of depth and instrument separation. This may not be as rich as AirPods Pro 2 or maybe even a pair of over-the-ear headphones, but I was easily able to pinpoint the location of instruments and vocals positioned at the front and centre, giving them a natural presence.
Talking about the sound signature, AirPods 4 boasts a vibrant sound with punchy bass, clear vocals, and detailed instrumentals. This makes them versatile across various genres, from pop and hip-hop to acoustic and classical. Apple's H2 chip delivers rich, bass-focused audio that creates a lively, immersive experience. There’s a slight processed feel to high-frequency sounds, particularly in rock music, but overall, the audio quality is nothing but spectacular.
One of the biggest reasons to pick the AirPods 4 ANC over the standard model is the addition of ANC. Now, it's important to remember that these earbuds don't completely seal off your ears like those with silicone tips, but I had an observation. I found the ANC on AirPods 4 with half in-ear designs to be better than full in-ear models. The slight space in the ear gives you a more immersive experience without the discomfort of a complete seal due to silicone tips.
Of course the bubble around you won't be completely soundproof and the difference between the ANC of AirPods 4 and AirPods Pro 2 or even first gen is definitely noticeable but for everyday use, like commuting through public transport, block out the hum of an air conditioner, the ANC works quite well.
So, if you're looking for earbuds that can significantly reduce distracting low-frequency noise while still allowing you to be aware of your surroundings, the AirPods 4 with ANC are a good option. Just don't expect them to completely silence the world around you.
Features and Ecosystem
Sorry Android folks, you may have good designs and customisation options, but Apple’s ecosystem remains unmatched. AirPods 4 fit right inside the ecosystem and are designed to work seamlessly with your Apple devices. They connect instantly to your iPhone, and you get instant access to features such as Find My and you can even talk to Siri using these.
Similar to the Pros, you get the smooth switching between Apple devices and can even decide to answer your calls just by nodding your head yes or no! Yes, this feature was first seen in the WF-1000XM5, but this is just better implemented here with the AirPods 4.
They also pack 4 Noise controls, namely; Off, Transparency, Adaptive, and ANC. The touch controls on the stem of the earbuds are responsive but sadly, there's no volume control. Personalised volume as of now seems to be a hit-or-miss feature that adjusts volume based on your environment.
Conversation awareness, which automatically lowers volume and disables ANC when you speak, is a good idea but can be unreliable in practice. I usually sing along while listening to music, but these earbuds seem to hate my voice as they lowered down the volume whenever I was dreaming of auditioning for Indian Idol, so I had to turn off the conversation awareness during most of my testing.
Automatic ear detection works flawlessly as you’d expect, and Personalised Spatial Audio creates an immersive surround sound experience. But here's a game-changer: the AirPods 4 are designed to function as hearing aids! This feature is still pending regulatory approval, but it has the potential to revolutionise how we think about earbuds in general.
Battery and charging
With ANC and all the features enabled, I was able to squeeze out around 3 hours of battery life from AirPods 4 in my usage. That’s not great, especially for a premium product that costs around 18k.
When I turned off ANC and a few features here and there, I got around 5-6 hours of battery life, but then I was missing out on the key feature – ANC, the reason why I’m paying 3k more over the model without ANC. However, the case provides additional charges, bringing the total to around 19-20 hours.
Verdict
The AirPods 4 with ANC are a solid choice for Apple users seeking a comfortable and feature-rich listening experience. For a half in-ear design, the sound quality and ANC are simply brilliant. However, the battery life could have been better. But if you prioritise battery life or don’t need ANC, I would recommend you to consider the AirPods 4 without ANC, which are more affordable. But if ANC is you priority, make sure you try on the AirPods 4 and listen to atleast 4-5 songs and jogg a little if possible to see if the half in-ear design suits you.
Overall, the AirPods 4 are a step in the right direction. With a few improvements, they could be true audio gems. Until then, they're a decent option for those deep in the Apple ecosystem.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JJ0_NOPktnc