Apple AirPods 4 launched with an open ear design and ANC capabilities

Alongside the new iPhone 16 series and the Watch Series 10, Apple also announced the new AirPods 4. These non-Pro earbuds get a new design and some new features like ANC. Alongside, the AirPods 4, the existing AirPods Pro and AirPods Max too received a couple of updates. 

AirPods 4: What's new?

Apple’s latest AirPods 4 are available in two variants. The first being the vanilla AirPods 4 and the second being the AirPods 4 with Active Noise Cancellation. Yes, ANC capabilities are no longer restricted to the AirPods Pro lineup.

Impressively, the latter gets ANC capabilities despite its open-ear design. Moreover, along with a low-distortion driver and high dynamic range amplifier, the AirPods 4 also get personalised spatial audio with head tracking capabilities.  

The TWS earbuds, powered by the H2 chip, get a feature that allows users to simply nod their head to receive calls and listen to other announcements from Siri, or shake their head gently to decline them.

Gamers on the other hand, will appreciate the crystal-clear audio thanks to support for 16-bit 48KHz audio while talking to their teammates.  

Besides this, AirPods 4 also get the usual voice isolation on calls, transparency mode to ensure you’re aware of your surroundings while listening to your favourite tunes. There’s also Adaptive Audio, which dynamically blends transparency mode and ANC based on a user’s surroundings.

Another rather nifty trick they have up their sleeves is conversation awareness, wherein they can automatically lower media volume when they detect users speaking to someone.  

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The AirPods Pro 4 lineup, like last year’s models, gets USB Type-C port for charging. The ANC model though, also gets wireless charging capabilities via an Apple Watch charger or any other QI-certified charger. At just 50mm wide, it is also the smallest charging case on any pair of TWS earbuds in the industry to get wireless charging support.

Listening time on the AirPods 4 stands at up to 30 hours with the charging case, and five hours without, with the ANC turned off. If it is turned on, listening time on the AirPods 4 ANC model stands at about four hours on a single charge.

AirPods Pro 2 Hearing Health Experience: What do you need to know?

Apple has introduced a whole new suite of hearing health-related features, which focus on the prevention of hearing loss, developing awareness of the condition, as well as assistance for the same on the AirPods Pro 2.  

Prevention 

First off, prevention of hearing loss. AirPods Pro 2 now comes with loud sound reduction technology, wherein the ear tips passively reduce noise, while the H2 chip on the TWS earbuds actively suppresses louder sounds at a rate of up to 48,000 times per second. The setting is turned on by default across hearing modes including ANC, transparency, and adaptive audio.  

Awareness 

For awareness, the AirPods Pro 2 also now gets a scientifically validated hearing test feature, which can be done when connected to a compatible iPhone or iPad. The test is simple and uses a standard clinical approach called pure-tone audiometry. When a user completes the test, they will see a summary of their results in a personalised hearing profile for AirPods Pro. 

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Assistance  

Lastly, there is assistance. AirPods Pro now get an innovative, over-the-counter hearing aid capability, for users with mild to moderate hearing loss. Using their profile from the hearing test we spoke about earlier; the feature transforms the AirPods Pro 2 into a clinical-grade hearing aid. It makes dynamic adjustments personalised to users in real-time, such that sounds around them are boosted. This helps users with easier conversations and better awareness of their immediate surroundings.  

What’s cooler though, is that these settings are also automatically applied to music, movies, games, and phone calls across their devices, without needing to tinker with the settings or setting up the device each time. Once the features are approved by the respective health authorities, they are expected to be made available in over 100 countries and regions. 

AirPods Max: USB Type-C charging, and new colours to look out for

Lastly, we come to the AirPods Max. Apple’s over-the-ear headphones now come in five new colours including Midnight, Starlight, Orange, Blue, and Purple. Additionally, they also get a USB Type-C charging port now, further allowing for one to reduce cable clutter and charge them easily at home or on the go. 

AirPods 4, AirPods Pro 2, AirPods Max pricing and availability

The new Apple AirPods 4 start at Rs 12,900 for the vanilla model, whereas the ANC model retails for Rs 17,900. The AirPods Pro 2 are priced at Rs 24,900, while the AirPods Max are available to buy for Rs 59,900. 

The AirPods Pro 4 will go on sale globally starting Friday, September 20.