Apple AirPods 4 Review (2025): The Great Leap in Daily Wireless Sound

Apple AirPods 4

Apple again shattered the bar with AirPods 4 — not just with design improvements, but with substance-packed upgrades that enhance the overall experience. While still retaining that sleek, all-white look, the biggest change is beneath the surface: for the first time, base models of AirPods now feature Active Noise Cancellation (ANC). This translates to crystal-clear sound and immersive listening even in noisy environments.

Driven by Apple’s new H2 chip, AirPods 4 bring Personalized Spatial Audio, adaptive equalization, and intelligent features such as voice-sensing playback and gesture-based Siri control. From commuting to working or unwinding, these earbuds provide top-tier performance, effortless integration with the Apple ecosystem, and excellent value for everyday consumers in 2025.

Design

The design of AirPods has become iconic — and Apple knows better than to mess with success.

AirPods 4 retain that signature white stemmed semi-in-ear design, with some smart updates:

• The charging case is 10% smaller and now supports USB-C charging
• New force sensors on the stems let you control playback and calls with a light pinch
• IP54-rated for dust, sweat, and water resistance — ideal for active users
• Available only in white, but personalization options let you engrave emojis, names, initials, or numbers when buying from Apple

Fit and comfort remain top-tier, even without silicone ear tips — and the redesigned internals make them feel lighter and more balanced in the ear.

Audio Performance & Active Noise Cancellation (ANC)

This is where the AirPods 4 truly shine. Apple finally included Active Noise Cancellation (ANC) in its base AirPods model — and it surprisingly works quite well for a half-in-ear design.

Air Pods 4 Sound Quality:

• Powered by an Apple-designed, low-distortion driver
• Sourced with high-dynamic-range amplifier for balanced, detailed sound
• 16-bit/48 kHz audio processing tidies up playback, especially with voice and acoustic music
• Adaptive EQ dynamically compensates frequencies in real-time based on your ear shape and listening environment

Personalized Spatial Audio with Head Tracking

A Pro feature before, Personalized Spatial Audio is now available, delivering 3D-like sound immersion for movies, games, and even FaceTime calls. Dynamic head tracking places you at the center of the action.

Airpods 4 Adaptive ANC & Voice

The ANC-enabled model includes:

• Adaptive ANC: Cuts through constant noise but allows critical sounds (e.g., alarms or sirens) to come through
• Voice Awareness: Listening for when you are being spoken to and decreasing media volume for a short period before resuming playback when conversation ends
• Voice Isolation: When on calls, it lessens background sound so your voice remains clear and crisp

Don’t need ANC? Apple gives you the option: AirPods 4 come in two variants:

• With ANC – $179
• Without ANC – $129

Both models employ the same H2 chip, rendering you with cutting-edge performance irregardless of noise canceling.

AirPods 4 Battery Life and Charging

Battery performance is strong across both models:

Feature	Without ANC	With ANC
Buds Playback	Up to 5 hours	Up to 4 hours
With Charging Case	Up to 30 hours	Up to 20 hours

Charging is modern and future-proof:

• Quick charge gives about 1 hour of playback from a 5-minute charge
• Wireless charging is supported in the ANC version
• The case has a built-in speaker to help you locate it with the Find My app

Apple has also shifted to a USB-C port, making it easier to charge your AirPods with the same cable as your iPhone 15, MacBook, or iPad.

Features & Connectivity

Apple continues to offer seamless integration with its ecosystem:

• Instant pairing with devices linked to your Apple ID
• Auto-switching across iPhone, iPad, Mac, and Apple Watch
• Dual AirPods support: Stream audio from a single device to two pairs of AirPods — ideal for films and music
• Siri on Standby: Always listening, even when your phone is in your pocket
• Head gesture support: Nod to answer Siri, shake to dismiss — a slick, futuristic flourish
• Bluetooth 5.3 for stable, low-latency connections

All these features are brought most to life if you exist within Apple’s ecosystem — something competing earbuds still struggle to match.

Apple AirPods 4 Specification

Specifications	Details
Design	Semi in-ear, white, IP54-rated
Earbud Dimensions	30.20 mm x 18.30 mm x 18.10 mm
Case Dimensions	50.10 mm x 46.20 mm x 21.20 mm
Weight	4.3g (Buds), 32.3g / 34.7g (Case)
Driver	Custom Apple Driver + High Dynamic Range Amp
Chip	Apple H2 Chip
Noise Cancellation	Adaptive ANC (optional), Voice Isolation
Battery	5 hrs (no ANC), 4 hrs (ANC), up to 30 hrs w/ case
Charging	USB-C, Wireless Charging (ANC version)
Connectivity	Bluetooth 5.3
Audio Tech	Personalized Spatial Audio, Adaptive EQ
Extras	Multi-device pairing, Audio sharing, Siri integration
Color Options	White only

AirPods 4 Price

Model	Price
AirPods 4 (Without ANC)	$129
AirPods 4 (With ANC)	$179

Conclusion: Should You Buy AirPods 4?

The AirPods 4 are more than just a refresh—they’re a smart evolution. Apple has finally brought ANC, better audio, smarter controls, and USB-C charging to a broader audience without the Pro price tag.

For $129–$179, it’s hard to find earbuds that perform better in sound quality, ecosystem integration, and ease of use, especially for iPhone users.

Also read the Top earbud manufacturers in the global.

Apple AirPods 4 FAQs