Earbuds · Model guide · Maker specs
AirPods 4
Pick AirPods 4 with Active Noise Cancellation over the $129 AirPods 4, and only at a discount: AirPods 5 now has noise cancelling on both models.
Product images
AirPods 4, from its Amazon listing.
Credit: Amazon.com (Associates Program). Amazon listing
Product image from the Amazon listing.
In short
Pick AirPods 4 with Active Noise Cancellation over the $129 AirPods 4, and only at a discount: AirPods 5 now has noise cancelling on both models. Both AirPods 4 models are open-ear with H2, Spatial Audio, IP54 and a USB-C case, rated for up to 5 hours (4 with noise cancelling on). Skip them if you want silicone tips or Apple's hearing features; those are AirPods Pro territory.
Who it is for
- iPhone owners who want noise cancelling without silicone tips and can find the $179 ANC model discounted. It adds Adaptive Audio, Transparency mode and Conversation Awareness to the open-ear fit.
- Listeners who don't need noise cancelling. The $129 AirPods 4 still has H2, Personalized Spatial Audio, Voice Isolation for calls and IP54, in the same bud size as AirPods 5.
- Travelers who'd use Live Translation, which the ANC model supports with an Apple Intelligence iPhone.
- People who misplace the case. The ANC model's case has a speaker, so Find My can help you track it down nearby.
Who should skip it
- Buyers who want noise cancelling at the lower price. The $129 AirPods 4 has no ANC, Transparency or Adaptive Audio, while AirPods 5 has noise cancelling in both models.
- Anyone who prefers a sealed fit or needs Hearing Aid, Hearing Test or Hearing Protection. AirPods Pro 3 seals with foam-infused tips in five sizes, and the hearing features start with AirPods Pro 2.
- Anyone who wants a tougher rating. AirPods 4 is IP54; AirPods 5 and AirPods Pro 3 are IP57.
- Android users who want LDAC or a companion app. Apple lists neither; settings live in iOS, and other phones get limited features.
What sets it apart
- Two models of one design: $129 with a USB-C case and no noise control, or $179 with Active Noise Cancellation, Adaptive Audio, Transparency mode, Conversation Awareness and a case that also charges wirelessly.
- Apple's first open-ear AirPods with a noise-cancelling option, built on the H2 chip, with Personalized Spatial Audio and Voice Isolation in both models.
- IP54 dust, sweat and water resistance for the buds and the case.
- Up to 5 hours per charge and 30 with the case, and 5 minutes in the case gives about an hour.
- Siri Interactions on both models: nod or shake your head to answer Siri.
Caveats
- Neither box includes a cable, so you'll need your own USB-C cable.
- Noise cancelling costs battery: the ANC model is rated for 4 hours with it on, against 5 with it off, and 20 hours with the case instead of 30.
- IP54 resistance isn't permanent, and the buds aren't for swimming.
Key specs
In the same order on every earbuds page, so you can compare pairs.
| Spec | Value | Source and notes |
|---|---|---|
| Form factor | Open-ear stem; no silicone tips | Apple AirPods 4 tech specs; Apple AirPods compare |
| Fit and tips | One size; no interchangeable tips or wings | Apple AirPods 4 tech specs |
| Driver and acoustics | Custom high-excursion Apple driver; custom high dynamic range amplifier; Adaptive EQ; vent system for pressure equalization | Apple AirPods 4 tech specs |
| Chip | Apple H2 headphone chip in both models | Apple AirPods 4 tech specs |
| Active noise cancellation | AirPods 4: no. AirPods 4 with Active Noise Cancellation: yes, with Adaptive Audio. | Apple AirPods 4 and AirPods 4 with ANC tech specs; Apple AirPods compare |
| Transparency mode | Base model: no. ANC model: Transparency mode and Conversation Awareness. | Apple AirPods 4 and AirPods 4 with ANC tech specs |
| Spatial / 360 audio | Personalized Spatial Audio with dynamic head tracking; Adaptive EQ (both models) | Apple AirPods 4 tech specsCreating the personal profile takes an iPhone with TrueDepth, and Spatial Audio needs compatible content and apps. |
| Hearing features | Not on either model; Hearing Test, Hearing Aid and Hearing Protection are on AirPods Pro 2 and later | Apple AirPods 4 and AirPods 4 with ANC tech specs; Apple AirPods compare |
| Battery, buds | Base model: up to 5 hours. ANC model: up to 4 hours with ANC on, up to 5 hours with noise control off. | Apple AirPods 4 and AirPods 4 with ANC tech specsApple tested in July and August 2024 with 256 kbps AAC tracks at 50% volume on a preproduction iPhone 16 Pro Max. |
| Battery, with case | Base model: up to 30 hours. ANC model: up to 20 hours with ANC on, up to 30 hours with noise control off. | Apple AirPods 4 and AirPods 4 with ANC tech specs |
| Charging | USB-C on both cases, cable sold separately; about 1 hour of listening from 5 minutes in the case | Apple AirPods 4 and AirPods 4 with ANC tech specs |
| Wireless charging | Base model: none, USB-C only. ANC model: Apple Watch charger or Qi-certified chargers, as well as USB-C. | Apple AirPods 4 and AirPods 4 with ANC tech specs; Apple AirPods compare |
| Water and dust, buds | IP54 (IEC 60529): dust, sweat and water resistant for non-water sports and exercise | Apple AirPods 4 tech specsNot permanent, Apple says; keep wet buds off the charger and out of the pool. |
| Water and dust, case | IP54 under IEC 60529; Apple tested the charging case too | Apple AirPods 4 and AirPods 4 with ANC tech specs |
| Bluetooth | Bluetooth 5.3 | Apple AirPods 4 tech specs |
| Microphones | Dual beamforming microphones; inward-facing microphone; Voice Isolation on both models (iOS 18 or later, latest firmware) | Apple AirPods 4 tech specs |
| Controls | Force sensor: press once to play, pause, answer or use the camera remote; twice to skip or end a call; three times to skip back; press and hold for Siri. Hey Siri or Siri by voice; nod or shake to answer Siri. No volume swipe. | Apple AirPods 4 tech specs |
| Device switching | Automatic switching between devices on the same Apple Account; no Android-style multipoint | Apple AirPods compare |
| Sensors | Dual beamforming microphones; inward-facing microphone; optical in-ear sensor; motion-detecting accelerometer; speech-detecting accelerometer; force sensor | Apple AirPods 4 tech specs |
| Weight, one bud | 4.3 g (0.15 oz) | Apple AirPods 4 tech specs |
| Weight, case | 32.3 g (1.14 oz) USB-C case on the base model; 34.7 g (1.22 oz) case with speaker on the ANC model | Apple AirPods 4 and AirPods 4 with ANC tech specs |
| Size, one bud | 30.2 × 18.3 × 18.1 mm (H × W × D) | Apple AirPods 4 tech specs |
| Size, case | 46.2 × 50.1 × 21.2 mm (H × W × D), both cases | Apple AirPods 4 and AirPods 4 with ANC tech specs |
| Finishes | White in Apple's product photos; no color list | Apple AirPods 4 tech specs; Apple AirPods compare |
| Phone and OS compatibility | Full features with the latest iOS, iPadOS, watchOS, macOS, tvOS and visionOS; Bluetooth headphones with limited features on earlier Apple software and non-Apple devices | Apple AirPods 4 tech specs |
| Find My and UWB | Find My on both; the ANC model's case adds a speaker for finding it nearby, and Apple says Find My on that model needs iOS 26 or later. No Ultra Wideband chip listed. | Apple AirPods 4 and AirPods 4 with ANC tech specs |
| App and firmware | Settings in iOS, no separate app; firmware via Apple software updates | Apple AirPods 4 tech specs |
| US price at launch | $129 (AirPods 4); $179 (AirPods 4 with Active Noise Cancellation) | Apple Newsroom, 2024-09-09Apple Newsroom, 9 September 2024. |
| Price band | Midrange true-wireless ($100–$200 at US launch) | Based on Apple's $129 and $179 launch prices |
| Announced | 9 September 2024 | Apple Newsroom |
| Availability | Previous model: AirPods 5 replaced AirPods 4 as Apple's open-ear AirPods, and Apple's AirPods 4 page now redirects to it. As of September 2026 Apple sells AirPods 5, AirPods Pro 3 and AirPods Max 2; its compare page still lists both AirPods 4 models. | Apple AirPods compare; Apple AirPods 4 tech specs |
AirPods 4 extras
Specs only this model has.
| Spec | Value | Source and notes |
|---|---|---|
| The two models | AirPods 4 ($129): USB-C case, no ANC. AirPods 4 with Active Noise Cancellation ($179): wireless-charging USB-C case with a speaker. Battery, noise control, charging and Live Translation differ between them. | Apple Newsroom, 2024-09-09; Apple AirPods 4 and AirPods 4 with ANC tech specs |
| Live Translation | ANC model only, in beta: works on AirPods 4 with Active Noise Cancellation and AirPods Pro 2 and later with the latest firmware, paired with an Apple Intelligence iPhone on iOS 26 or later. Not every language or region. | Apple AirPods 4 with ANC tech specs; Apple AirPods Pro 3 tech specs |
| Conversation Awareness | ANC model only: lowers your media when you start speaking (iOS 18 or later, latest firmware) | Apple AirPods 4 with ANC tech specs |
| Adaptive Audio | ANC model only: dynamically blends Transparency and noise cancelling (AirPods 4 with ANC, iOS 18 or later, latest firmware) | Apple AirPods 4 with ANC tech specs; Apple AirPods compare |
| Introduced | AirPods 4 and AirPods 4 with Active Noise Cancellation, both introduced in 2024 | Apple AirPods 4 and AirPods 4 with ANC tech specs |
| In the box | AirPods 4: buds, USB-C charging case, documentation. AirPods 4 with Active Noise Cancellation: buds, USB-C charging case with speaker, documentation. No USB-C cable in either. | Apple AirPods 4 and AirPods 4 with ANC tech specs |
| Recycled content | Apple says, as of launch: 100% recycled tin, gold and copper plating salts on multiple boards; 100% recycled rare earths in all magnets; 50% recycled plastic in three parts; 100% fiber-based packaging | Apple AirPods 4 and AirPods 4 with ANC tech specs |
| Camera remote | Press once to use AirPods 4 as a camera remote on compatible devices with iOS 26 or iPadOS 26 or later (both models) | Apple AirPods 4 and AirPods 4 with ANC tech specs |
| Accessibility | Live Listen, Headphone levels, Headphone Accommodations | Apple AirPods 4 and AirPods 4 with ANC tech specs |
| Siri Interactions | Nod yes or shake your head no when Siri asks to answer a call, read a message or manage notifications (both models, iOS 18 or later, latest firmware) | Apple AirPods 4 and AirPods 4 with ANC tech specs |
| Find My case speaker | ANC model only; no speaker listed for the base USB-C case | Apple AirPods 4 with ANC tech specs |
Apple announced AirPods 4 on 9 September 2024 as two models with one open-ear design: AirPods 4 at $129 and AirPods 4 with Active Noise Cancellation at $179. It was the first time Apple offered noise cancelling in AirPods without silicone tips. AirPods 5 has since taken over as Apple’s open-ear model.
The two models
| Spec | AirPods 4 | AirPods 4 with Active Noise Cancellation |
|---|---|---|
| US launch price | $129 | $179 |
| Active Noise Cancellation | No | Yes, with Adaptive Audio |
| Transparency and Conversation Awareness | No | Yes |
| Live Translation | No | Yes, in beta |
| Case charging | USB-C | USB-C, Apple Watch charger or Qi |
| Case speaker for Find My | No | Yes |
| Case weight | 32.3 g | 34.7 g |
Apart from those and the battery figures below, the two share H2, the same driver and amplifier, Adaptive EQ, Personalized Spatial Audio, Voice Isolation, IP54, the force-sensor controls and the 46.2 × 50.1 × 21.2 mm case. Adaptive Audio dynamically blends noise cancelling with Transparency, and Conversation Awareness lowers your media when you start talking. If you want any noise control at all, get the ANC model; the base one makes sense only if you know you won’t miss it.
There are no tips to seal your ear, so this is open-ear noise cancelling, and Apple gives no decibel figure for how much it removes.
Against AirPods 5 and AirPods Pro 3
AirPods 5 is the same size, bud and case, but puts noise cancelling in both models and raises the rating from IP54 to IP57. AirPods Pro 3 gives up the open fit for a seal and is rated IP57 too. AirPods 4 vs AirPods 5 and AirPods 4 vs AirPods Pro 3 go through each.
Battery and charging
Apple’s ratings for both models:
| Mode | AirPods 4 | AirPods 4 with Active Noise Cancellation |
|---|---|---|
| Listening, noise control off | Up to 5 hours | Up to 5 hours |
| Listening, noise cancelling on | No ANC | Up to 4 hours |
| With case, noise control off | Up to 30 hours | Up to 30 hours |
| With case, noise cancelling on | No ANC | Up to 20 hours |
| 5 minutes in the case | About 1 hour | About 1 hour |
Fit, controls and calls
Each bud is 30.2 × 18.3 × 18.1 mm and 4.3 grams, in one size with no tips, and a vent system equalizes pressure. The force sensor on the stem takes one press to play, pause, answer or fire the camera remote (on iOS 26 or iPadOS 26 and later), two to skip or end a call, three to skip back, and a press and hold for Siri. There’s no volume swipe. With Siri Interactions you can nod or shake your head to answer Siri, and both models have Voice Isolation for calls, using dual beamforming microphones and an inward-facing one.
Apple features and Find My
Full features need the latest iOS, iPadOS, watchOS, macOS, tvOS or visionOS, and the buds connect over Bluetooth 5.3. Settings live in iOS rather than an app, firmware arrives with Apple’s software updates, and the buds switch automatically between devices on the same Apple Account. The ANC model’s case adds a speaker to help you find it nearby, and Apple says Find My on that model needs iOS 26 or later. Neither case has an Ultra Wideband chip listed.
Price
AirPods 4 launched in the US at $129, and AirPods 4 with Active Noise Cancellation at $179; Apple’s store also offered engraving. With AirPods 5 putting noise cancelling in both models, AirPods 4 is worth buying only at a clear discount. Check which of the two models you’re getting before you buy.
Sources
- Amazon product listing — accessed 2026-09-20
- Apple Newsroom — Introducing AirPods 4 and a hearing health experience with AirPods Pro 2 — accessed 2026-09-19
- Apple Support — AirPods 4 tech specs (121203) — accessed 2026-09-19
- Apple Support — AirPods 4 with Active Noise Cancellation tech specs (121204) — accessed 2026-09-19
- Apple — AirPods compare — accessed 2026-09-19
- Apple — Guidelines for Using Apple Trademarks and Copyrights — accessed 2026-09-19
Frequently asked questions
Does the $129 AirPods 4 have noise cancelling?
No. Active Noise Cancellation, Adaptive Audio, Transparency mode and Conversation Awareness are only on AirPods 4 with Active Noise Cancellation, which launched at $179.
Can AirPods 4 do Live Translation?
Only the ANC model. It needs an Apple Intelligence iPhone on iOS 26 or later and the latest firmware, and it's a beta that doesn't cover every language or region. AirPods Pro 2 and later support it too.
Do AirPods 4 have Hearing Aid features?
No. Apple's hearing features (Hearing Test, Hearing Aid and Hearing Protection) are for AirPods Pro 2 and later. For accessibility, AirPods 4 offers Live Listen, Headphone levels and Headphone Accommodations.
Can I charge AirPods 4 wirelessly?
Only the ANC model. Its case charges on an Apple Watch charger or a Qi-certified charger as well as over USB-C; the $129 model's case is USB-C only.
Are AirPods 4 waterproof?
No. IP54 means the buds and case resist dust, sweat and water during non-water sports and exercise: fine for the gym, not for the pool.
Do AirPods 4 work with Android?
Yes, as Bluetooth 5.3 headphones with limited features. Personalized Spatial Audio, Live Translation, automatic switching and Find My depend on Apple devices.
Official product page: AirPods 4. Tech specs: AirPods 4 specs.