Apple announces $179 AirPods 4 with active noise cancellation

Apple announced the fourth-generation AirPods today during its It’s Glowtime event. As you can tell from the gallery above, the AirPods 4 look different from their predecessor. They also have Active Noise Cancellation (ANC) if you’re willing to pay extra.

Apple said that it mapped and analyzed “thousands” of ear shapes with 3D photogrammetry, laser topography, and other modeling tools to design the AirPods 4’s new form. Apple claims the new shape will make for a better fit. The new earbuds appear to have shorter stems. They look more similar to the AirPods Pro now but without the silicone tips. The stems also allow users to play/pause media and end or mute calls with a “quick press,” Apple claims, noting a new force sensor.

The new AirPods move from Apple’s H1 chip to the H2, which the current AirPods Pro use. Compared to the H1, Apple has said that the H2 is supposed to be up to twice as good at noise cancellation. Upgraded mics and computational audio are also supposed to aid in ANC.

The AirPods 4 inherit several AirPods Pro features. They claim personalized spatial audio, which uses head tracking, and machine learning-powered voice isolation as features. The AirPods are also supposed to be able to automatically lower the volume of whatever’s currently playing when you start talking to someone in real life. The Transparency mode lets you hear outside noises while media’s playing, and Adaptive Audio automatically blends Transparency mode with ANC.

The fourth-gen AirPods also have a new acoustic architecture that Apple claimed, without getting into much detail, delivers “richer” bass and “clearer” highs.

The new earbuds also have a redesigned case that’s 10 percent smaller by volume and is 2 inches (50 mm) long. It incorporates Apple’s slow, (European Union law-driven) shift from the proprietary Lightning charging port to USB-C. Apple said the case should last for up to 30 hours. It also supports wireless charging, including Qi.

The AirPods 4 will start at $129, which is cheaper than what the AirPods 3 have been going for ($179). But if you want ANC, they’ll cost $179. The AirPods 4 come out on September 20 but can be pre-ordered today.

Smaller updates to AirPods Pro and AirPods Max

Apple didn’t announce a new AirPods Pro or AirPods Max today but is adding some features to the current versions.

The AirPods Pro are getting a software update this fall that will allow the the earbuds to serve as a “clinical-grade hearing aid,” Apple CEO Tim Cook said. The feature is limited to people with “mild to moderate hearing loss,” Apple’s announcement said.

The fall update will also add a Hearing Protection feature to help quiet loud environmental sounds. “The ear tips help to provide passive noise reduction, while the H2 chip helps to actively reduce louder, more intermittent noise at 48,000 times per second,” per Apple’s announcement. Finally, the update will allow you to use the AirPods Pro as earplugs by use of an updated “multiband high dynamic range algorithm,” and add a hearing test.

The AirPods Max, meanwhile, are joining the move to USB-C. They’re also getting personalized spatial audio and new colors: midnight, blue, purple, orange, and starlight.

This version of the AirPods Max will be available on September 20 and will cost $549. Pre-orders start today.

Listing image by Apple