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The AirPods 4 are Apple's latest entry into the world of wireless earphones. They offer you a combination of active noise cancellation (ANC), an open ear design and impressive audio quality. In this article, you'll find out how the AirPods 4 performed in various testers and what advantages and disadvantages you can expect when buying these new headphones. The focus is on the performance of the noise cancellation, the sound quality and the battery life. Everything you need to know before you decide on the AirPods 4 can be found here.
With the AirPods 4, Apple is launching two versions: an entry-level model for 149 euros and a high-end version for 199 euros with active noise cancellation (ANC). Both models offer some innovations compared to their predecessors, especially in terms of sound quality and advanced noise cancellation. The first tests show that Apple has made amazing progress in noise cancellation despite the open design. But is the extra cost for the more expensive version worth it? We get to the bottom of the details.
Active noise cancellation in open ear design
The highlight of the AirPods 4 is the active noise cancellation in an open ear design, which is rarely found in the world of earphones. According to Chris Welch of The Verge functions The ANC works surprisingly well, especially with low-frequency noises like the roar of engines or the hum of city traffic. Welch notes that while the ANC doesn't completely eliminate all noise, it does make ambient noise much more bearable. Once you're playing music or podcasts, you can keep the volume at 50 % and still block out most of the noise. This feature makes the AirPods 4 ideal for use in busy environments like cafes, public transportation, or offices. Nicole Nguyen of the Wall Street Journal confirmed that the noise cancellation works well to reduce ambient noise, such as conversations and office noises. While the ANC isn't as powerful as you'll find on over-ear headphones, it's a welcome improvement over the AirPods 3.
Transparency mode: Clear conversations despite earphones
In addition to noise cancellation, the AirPods 4's transparency mode shines. Jake Krol from TechRadar praises I like this mode because it lets ambient noise flow naturally without making the sound seem robotic or artificial. You can almost feel like you're not wearing the AirPods during conversations. Thanks to the "Conversation Awareness" function, the volume of the music is automatically lowered when you're talking, giving you a pleasant conversation experience.
Audio quality: rich bass and clear highs
Both versions of the AirPods 4 offer you the same excellent audio quality. Billy Steele from Engadget lifts the "richer bass and crisp highs" that significantly expand the sound stage compared to the AirPods 3. The AirPods 4 reveal their full potential especially with content that supports Dolby Atmos. They also deliver a powerful and balanced sound with ordinary music and videos. In addition, the AirPods 4 have "Personalized Spatial Audio" and dynamic head tracking, which makes the listening experience even more immersive. This means that the sound adapts to your head movements and you experience a more intense feeling of space and depth, whether you are listening to music or watching films.
Fit: Important for sound and noise cancellation
The fit of the AirPods 4 plays a crucial role in the sound quality and ANC performance. Nicole Nguyen emphasizes that the earbuds must stay in the ears to achieve the full potential of the noise cancellation and sound. A loose fit can affect performance.
Battery life: A weak point
Unfortunately, the battery life of the AirPods 4 falls short of expectations. With ANC turned on, the AirPods 4 only last about four hours, according to tests. David Carnoy of CNET criticizedthat Apple has actually made the battery life worse compared to the AirPods 3. Without ANC, you get about five hours, which is enough for short usage scenarios. However, if you're planning on long trips or flights, battery life could be an issue. Thankfully, the charging case offers additional hours, but again, overall performance drops off a bit compared to competing models.
AirPods 4 in detail: Top sound with small compromises in battery life
The AirPods 4 impress with their excellent noise cancellation in the open ear design, the impressive transparency mode and the first-class audio quality. Despite the weaknesses in battery life, they offer you a great overall package that is particularly effective in busy environments. However, if you are on the go a lot and rely on a long battery life, it may be worth considering the AirPods Pro or other models. The AirPods 4 are now available for 149 euros or 199 euros available with ANC and represent an interesting development in Apple's earphone line, especially if you value sound quality and the innovative ANC function in an open design. (Image: Apple)
