Apple on Monday announced the release of two new AirPods 4 wireless earbuds models: AirPods 4 and AirPods 4 with Active Noise Cancellation (ANC). The iPhone maker also announced USB-C charging and new colors for AirPod Max. Also, this fall, AirPods Pro 2 will offer what Apple says is the world’s first end-to-end hearing health experience.
AirPods 4
The new AirPods 4 and AirPods 4 with Active Noise Cancellation were unveiled at Monday’s media event. Apple says the earbuds’ open-air design sets an entirely new benchmark for fit and comfort. The earbuds were designed using advanced tools like 3D photogrammetry and laser topography, and Apple claims the new AirPods 4 are the most comfortable AirPods ever.
“With AirPods 4, customers can enjoy Active Noise Cancellation and the most advanced audio experience ever in an open-ear design,” said John Ternus, Apple’s senior vice president of Hardware Engineering. “And with a revolutionary update to the world’s best-selling headphones, AirPods Pro will deliver groundbreaking new capabilities — including Hearing Test and Hearing Aid features — to help more than a billion people affected by hearing loss.”
The new AirPods are designed to provide improvement in sound quality. The earbuds feature an entirely new acoustic architecture, a low-distortion driver, and high dynamic range amplifier. Personalized Spatial Audio with dynamic head tracking provides an immersive media experience.
Apple’s AirPods 4 use Apple’s H2 chip, which is designed to provide Voice Isolation to provide clearer call quality in any environment. The new Siri Interactions feature allows users to interact with Siri announcements with a quick nod of the head for yes or a shake of the head to respond with a quick “no.”
The AirPods 4 support 16-bit, 48kHz audio. A new force sensor on the stem allows users to play or pause media and mute or end calls with a quick press. AirPods 4 are also made to work well when gaming, with low wireless audio latency and top-notch voice quality when communicating with other players.
The AirPods 4 charging case now offers USB-C connectivity for charging and while it is than 10% smaller than its predecessor, it still delivers up to 30 hours of battery life. AirPods 4 with ANC users can charge the case using an Apple Watch charger or Qi-certified charger.
AirPods 4 with ANC helps to reduce environmental noise, delivering a natural listening experience. Features like Transparency mode, which allows users to stay aware of their surrounding environment; Adaptive Audio blends Transparency mode and ANC based on user’s environment; and a Conversation Awareness feature automatically lowers the volume of the user’s media when they begin holding a conversation with someone.
AirPods Pro 2 Hearing Test Coming This Fall
Later this year, AirPods Pro 2 feature list will include what Apple calls the world’s first end-to-end hearing health experience. New features will include active Hearing Protection, a hearing test, and a hearing aid feature. After taking the hearing test, users will be able to view a summary of their test results, which is stored privately and securely in the Health app. Users can also share test results with their healthcare providers.
Both the Hearing Test and Hearing Aid features are soon expected to be given marketing consent from global health authorities, and both tests will be available this fall in 100+ countries and regions, including the United States, Germany, and Japan.
AirPods Max
Apple’s AirPods Max over-the-ear headphones now offer USB-C charging capabilities and new color options.
AirPods Max are available in five new colors, midnight, starlight, blue, orange, and purple. AirPods Max also now offer USB-C charging capabilities.
Pricing and Availability
- Customers can now pre-order AirPods 4 for $129 (U.S.) from apple.com/store and in the Apple Store app in the U.S. and more than 58 other countries and regions, with availability beginning Friday, September 20.
- Customers can now pre-order AirPods 4 with Active Noise Cancellation for $179 (U.S.) from apple.com/store and in the Apple Store app in the U.S. and more than 58 other countries and regions, with availability beginning Friday, September 20.
- New hearing health features will be available this fall for AirPods Pro 2 customers in a free software update when paired with iPhone or iPad running iOS 18 or iPadOS 18.
- AirPods Pro 2 are available for $249 (U.S.) from apple.com/store and in the Apple Store app today.
