AirPods 4 vs. AirPods Pro: Here are all the differences

So, for the first time in years, Apple has updated its base model AirPods. There are now two new models, one with active noise cancellation and one without.

ANC was the exclusive hero feature of the AirPods Pro… until now. So how do the new AirPods (non-Pro) stack up? Here are all the differences.

Apple's new AirPods have a lot of overlapping features, although there is a clear demarcation as active noise cancellation is only present on the higher-end models. The new base model AirPods 4 can be considered a direct replacement for the AirPods (second generation), although it has an updated design.

Here are all the changes between the new AirPods 4 series and the AirPods Pro 2:

Active noise cancellation

The new AirPods 4 with active noise cancellation bring noise cancellation features to Apple's non-in-ear earbuds for the first time, but you shouldn't expect the same noise cancellation effect as the AirPods Pro.

According to Apple, the AirPods Pro are about twice as good at canceling noise as the AirPods 4. While we'll have to wait to get our hands on the new AirPods 4 and test them out for ourselves, the specs provided by Apple suggest that the AirPods 4 will perform about as well as the original first-generation AirPods Pro in terms of noise cancellation.

Otherwise, however, the feature set is seemingly the same. Both AirPods Pro 2 and AirPods 4 are powered by the H2 chip and support noise control features such as Transparency Mode, Adaptive Audio, and Conversation Awareness. These features intelligently enable, disable, and optimize the active noise cancellation effect depending on your current environment.

It goes without saying that the AirPods base models do not have any active noise cancellation and therefore do not support any of the corresponding features.

Charging case functions

A more subtle difference in the lineup is the functionality of the charging case. AirPods 4 come with the most basic USB-C charging case that doesn't even support wireless charging.

AirPods 4 with Active Noise Cancellation come with a USB-C charging case that also supports wireless charging with Qi chargers or an Apple Watch charger. The case also has a built-in Find My speaker.

However, AirPods Pro have the most advanced charging case and offer MagSafe support (that is, it can magnetically align itself with MagSafe chargers automatically). The AirPods Pro case also has a built-in lanyard, which is not present on AirPods 4 cases.

Battery life

AirPods 4 without noise cancellation have the same battery life as AirPods (third generation), meaning up to 5 hours of listening time on a single charge.

However, with active noise cancellation enabled, the AirPods 4's claimed battery life drops to just 4 hours of listening time on a single charge. That's a significant difference from the AirPods Pro, which can last up to 6 hours of listening time with noise cancellation enabled.

If battery life for long listening sessions is your main concern, the AirPods 4 may not be for you.

The charging case of all models can charge the earphones about six times, providing a total listening time of up to 30 hours.

Price

The cheapest AirPods in the range are the AirPods 4, which cost $129. The AirPods 4 with active noise cancellation cost $179. The AirPods Pro 2 are listed at Apple for $249, although you can often find them cheaper elsewhere.

Compared to the base AirPods 4, you're effectively paying $50 more for noise cancellation and the improved case. The AirPods Pro 2 cost an additional $70 more and offer in-ear design, better battery life, swipe gesture for volume control, and MagSafe case benefits. The AirPods Pro 2 also come with an included USB-C cable; for the AirPods 4, you'll need to bring your own charging cable.

In summary

Overall, the new noise-canceling AirPods 4 are a great option for Apple users who want wireless earbuds but don't like the feel of in-ear earbuds. They offer a good middle ground in terms of functionality, including some noise cancellation in noisy environments. For $179, it seems like a pretty good deal.

The AirPods Pro are still the top dog, though, with top-notch noise cancellation, longer battery life, and a touch sensor on the stem to change the volume, albeit at a $70 premium. The new hearing test, hearing aid, and hearing protection features will also be exclusive to the AirPods Pro when they launch later this year.