We’ve already told you about the new iPhone 16 Pro Max, but that’s not all the new products Apple introduced on September 9.
The company also showed the fourth generation of the popular AirPods. This year, the company took a different path and released two versions of AirPods 4 at once: with and without noise cancellation.
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Today we will focus on the model with noise reduction. After all, it is the most interesting from the point of view of upgrading.
Does it make sense to upgrade from AirPods 3 and older headphones or should we wait another generation? I’ll tell you now.
Content:
Set. This is already a mockery.
Concern for the environment has gone too far
It’s either ecology, or Apple’s greed, or all of these things at once. But!
For the first time, there is no charging cable included with the AirPods 4. Inside the box, you will find only the earphones themselves with a case and documentation.
Thank you for not at least selling the case separately, Apple. And here you will have to purchase additional wires for $19 or about 1.5-3 thousand rubles, if you buy the original in Russia.
In general, this is the most unsightly thing the company has done. There is no need to hide behind ecology, because you sell the cables separately anyway. And the fact that we have a “whole fleet” of wires that has accumulated over the years is not the case with everyone.
Ergonomics and design. Has it become better?
They fit perfectly in the ears.
I’ll be honest, I haven’t had “basic” AirPods since the first generation. Then I somehow upgraded to the Pro version along the way, and just recently bought the second generation.
I am not one of those who are crazy about open headphones. However, my friend, who used all previous versions of the “basic” headphones, shared detailed impressions.
So, in terms of their dimensions, AirPods 4 are somewhere between the second and third generation. Here are the visual characteristics:
► AirPods 2: 40.5 x 16.5 x 18 mm
► AirPods 3: 30.79 x 18.26 x 19.21 mm
► AirPods 4: 30.2 x 18.3 x 18.1 mm
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Apple managed to find a happy medium and adjust the headphones to the ideal size. At the same time, they weigh 4.3 grams. For comparison, the weight of AirPods 3 is 4.28 grams.
What’s interesting is that thanks to their changed shape, the new headphones feel lighter than the previous generation. And because of this, they also sit more comfortably in the ears. In comparison with the “proshkas” the sensations are, of course, completely different. But even for me they did not cause any discomfort.
Even when shaking your head, the headphones do not try to “escape”. They are firmly fixed in the ears and do not slip out even after a while.
As for the case, it is also smaller than the AirPods 3 case. And even more compact than the AirPods Pro case.
The bottom of the case houses a speaker. These headphones, like the Pro 2, can be searched for via Locator. However, there are no holes for a loop, so you can’t hang it on your hand. You’ll have to buy a case for this. And let’s be honest, with glossy plastic it’s best to have a case so as not to spoil the appearance of the case.
But keep in mind that The speaker is only available in the noise-cancelling version. In “cheap” headphones it is not. There is another difference between the models.
Only the “expensive four” has a case that supports wireless charging. And I would like to point out that there is no MagSafe here, Apple has deprived the headphones of this feature. No, they will charge from the “puck”, but not at the speed that we would like.
The headphones themselves sit securely in the case. Apple has clearly strengthened the magnets compared to all other models. After the Pros, it was unusually hard for me to get them out.
Overall, on the noise-canceling side of the AirPods 4 we have:
• magnetic charging
• the most compact case among all AirPods models
• built-in speaker
Both versions support Locator and are displayed in it in real time. There is nothing new or special here.
It’s a pity that there is no reverse charging of AirPods from the iPhone itself. It would be very convenient, and Android smartphones are capable of this.
Finally, another difference between AirPods 4 and all other AirPods is that no pairing buttonThe back is now plain smooth plastic, and the pairing/reset button has become touch-sensitive and hidden on the front panel.
To reset the headphones, you need to touch the front surface twice 3 times.
Noise reduction. Not Pro at all.
But very worthy
Let’s move on to the most important innovation. Now, the regular AirPods also have a noise-canceling function, like the AirPods Pro.
Or rather, not even that. The function is there, but it works completely differently due to the open form factor of the headphones. These are not earbuds, you can’t fool physics.
Let’s immediately make it clear and obvious what the difference is.
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With AirPods Pro 2 at 40% volume and music, I can barely hear anything in the subway. If I raise the volume by another 10%, external noise disappears completely.
When I walk down the street, I don’t even have to turn on the music. The noise canceler will cut out 90-95% of external noise.
In AirPods 4 at 40% volume, I can hear a subway car along with the music. Raising the volume by another 10% won’t change the situation much. Yes, it will become quieter, especially in older cars, but you can only completely stop hearing it at around 70% volume.
Walking down the street with active noise cancellation and music turned off, I will hear everything. Headphones will be able to partially cut off the sound of the nearest highway and almost completely absorb the construction. Nothing more.
That is, you can take them into a conventional airplane, but you will have to load up on a lot more music. In general, This noise suppressor is suitable for trips. But it is not capable of creating an isolated “bubble” around you. The effect of presence will not leave you until the very end. Even the first “proshki” provide noise reduction of a completely different level.
But the transparency mode on both models is approximately the same. AirPods 4 work great at filtering out external noise.
Sound. Are there any changes?
Yes, and it is noticeable.
Now let’s talk about the most delicious piece.
If you compare AirPods 4 with AirPods 3, then, strictly according to my feelings, the new product is downright much more bassIt is juicy and soft, quite pleasant.
The highs and mids remained at about the same level. If you’ve ever listened to AirPods not of the first generation, you know what I’m talking about. In terms of sound similarity, I can cite HUAWEI FreeBuds Pro 3 or Xiaomi Buds 3T Pro as examples of what I’ve personally listened to recently.
First of all, AirPods 4 have noticeably more low frequencies. They are not only better heard, but also felt stronger compared to AirPods 3 and especially AirPods 2. But they still fall a little short of the level of the “pros”. But the sound of the midrange frequencies has become more expressive, which brings these headphones a little closer to AirPods Pro.
The only thing that bothers me and makes me want to take off the headphones is the sharper edges of the headphones, as I am used to earbuds with soft ear pads. But the sound is not at all repulsive, the music in this gadget is pleasant and melodic. On the street or while moving, noise can interfere with perception, but the enhanced bass does its job – it conveys the rhythm and dynamics of the music, which is especially important during walks.
I can only say one thing about the sound. It’s the sound we’re all used to, but it’s become a little deeper compared to previous generations. This is not earbud level, just a different sound, created for comfortable listening to music on the go.
Of the supported features, I would like to note the support Adaptive audio. That is, the headphones are able to independently regulate noise reduction and change its level depending on the surrounding environment. A convenient thing that I use all the time.
The AirPods 4 also support answering calls using gestures. Nod to accept, shake to cancel. Potentially cool when your hands are busy, but I didn’t use it much.
But you can adjust the volume on the “tail”, like in AirPods Pro 2, here it is forbidden. Alas and alack.
Autonomy. How long do headphones last?
Here I can mostly rely on Apple’s statements. There was too little time for testing. After 2.5 hours of listening (not the entire testing time, just listening), the headphones were about half dead, and that was with active noise cancellation.
The company promises around 4 hours with ANC at 50% volume, but it looks like that figure will be slightly higher than Apple claimed.
The case holds its charge confidently and loses it slowly. The company says about 30 hours autonomy with a case, and I readily believe in this based on my experience.
Who should take it and who shouldn’t?
Overall, these are great headphones for their category.
To sum it up, I can safely say that upgrading from AirPods 3 to standard AirPods 4 will bring you almost nothing. The headphones will sit more comfortably in your ears (for some, this will be enough), the sound will become more bass. That’s about it, basically.
But when you upgrade to AirPods 4 with noise cancellation, you’ll get all the same features as the AirPods Pro 2, too.
In short, if you have AirPods 3 and love the in-ear format, then it makes sense to look at the AirPods 4 ANC.
If you are happy with both earbuds and earplugs, then it is definitely better to take AirPods Pro 2. They will also add many new health-related features, including a hearing aid analogue, before the end of the year. None of this is promised for AirPods 4. And the “pros” are currently cheaper than the new product from Apple.
If you can’t stand the earbud format, then AirPods 4 ANC is your choice. Without ANC, you can take AirPods 1 or 2 owners.
Where did we get the new AirPods 4
Thanks to the guys at Tesla Connect for the opportunity to touch and explore the new AirPods in their branded technocafe at Moscow, ul. Vasilisa Kozhina, d. 13.
A cozy place, here you can order a test drive of any Tesla, including the hyped Tesla Cybertruck, or just drink coffee. If you are nearby, be sure to stop by.
Geotag in Yandex Maps: Moscow, ul. Vasilisa Kozhina, d. 13
All photos in the article:
Source: www.iphones.ru
