Apple’s recent’It’s Glowtime' eventbrought exciting updates to its iPhone, Apple Watch, and AirPods lineup. While the newiPhone 16andApple Watch Series 10are exciting, I want to focus on Apple’srefreshed AirPods models.
Apple now sells four variants of AirPods:
To make room for the two new AirPods 4 models, Apple discontinued AirPods 2 and AirPods 3. Moreover, while there aren’t any new versions of the AirPods Pro or AirPods Max, the AirPods Pro 2 is receiving an exciting update relating tothree hearing health features. AirPods Max’s minor update keeps its old H1 chip while swapping its lightning port for USB-C and introducing five new colors.
Let’s break down each model and help you identify which is best for your needs by answering four questions.
How AirPods Pro became Apple’s best-selling headphones
The AirPods Pro are Apple’s best-selling headphones thanks to a range of features and improvements.
What’s your AirPods budget?
Recommendation: AirPods 4
Apple AirPods (4th Generation)
The 4th gen AirPods might not feature support for Active Noise Cancelation, but they still pack a punch. The new H2 chip and improved acoustic architecture improve sound quality compared to the previous generation, and the USB-C charging case is highly convenient.
An unlimited budget is rarely the case for most of us, although sometimes it sure feels like we do. Apple’s most affordable AirPods,AirPods 4 without ANC, start at $129, the same price as AirPods 2 when Apple sold them. The next most affordable model starts at $179, with prices going as high as $549.
If your heart’s set on AirPods, but your finances are set on a limited budget, the AirPods 4 are your most economical option. If you’re lucky, you may even find them on sale to save yourself a few extra bucks.
AirPods 4 without ANC is an incredible update from the second-generation pair it replaces. The upgraded H2 chip powers personalized Spatial Audio with dynamic head tracking and 5 hours of listening time. The included changing case brings an additional 25 hours for a total listening time of 30 hours between charges. You can do so via USB-C when you need to recharge yourIP54 dust, sweat, and water-resistantAirPods and case.
AirPods 4 without ANC do not support wireless charging, MagSafe, or FindMy.
These 7 underused AirPods tips and tricks are the secret to leveling-up my listening
Apple’s AirPods are iconic, and every year the white earphones get new features that often go unused.
Do you want over-ear headphones?
Recommendation: AirPods Max
AirPods Max
TheAirPods Maxoffer premium sound quality, active noise cancellation, and a luxurious design for an immersive audio experience.
If your budget’s more flexible, you may want to consider the other end of the price range. For $549, you’re able to get a pair ofAirPods Max, Apple’s only over-ear headphones.
Generally speaking, there are three types of headphone styles:
While the AirPods Max are effectively the same as when launched in 2020, being over-ear headphones, they offer one of the best active noise cancellation and transparency mode experiences on the market.
Made of aluminum and available in midnight, starlight, purple, blue, and orange, the AirPods Max are powered by Apple’s H1 chip to deliver high-quality audio and 20 hours of listening time on a single charge.
6 underused AirPods Max tips and tricks
Are you an AirPods Max owner? Here are several things you might not know about Apple’s high-end over-ear headphones.
Do you want the latest and greatest?
Recommendation: AirPods Pro 2
Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen)
TheApple AirPods Pro 2nd Gencome with improved noise cancellation, spatial audio, and a USB-C charging case.
Even though we didn’t see AirPods Pro 3 at Apple’s September event, AirPods 2 still got an exciting update with three newhearing health features. It’s clear that although the AirPods Pro 2 are a few years old, they still intend to offer Apple’s best earphone features.
Suppose you want the best battery life,active noise cancellation, or even health features – in any of those cases, as long as you don’t mind silicone ear tips, the AirPods Pro 2 are still the best choice available.
When ordering directly from the Apple Online Store, you’re able to customize any pair of AirPods with free engraving.
For $249, the AirPods Pro 2 has ANC that’s twice as good as the AirPods 4, six hours of listening on a single charge powered by Apple’s H2 chip, and customizable silicone ear tips in extra small, small, medium, and large. AirPods Pro 2 also offers touch controls built into their stems to adjust volume by slinging your finger. The case for these AirPods provides another 24 hours of battery life, along with precision finding, FindMy support, and IP54 sweat, dust, and water resistance.
6 underused AirPods Pro (2nd gen) tips and tricks
Here are my favorite lesser-known tips and tricks to get more out of your second-generation AirPods Pro.
Do you prefer AirPods without silicone ear tips?
Recommendation: AirPods 4 with ANC
Apple AirPods (4th Generation with ANC)
Improving on the 4th gen AirPods, the AirPods 4 with Active Noise Cancelation support features like Adaptive Audio and Conversation Awareness. Its case has also been upgraded, with wireless charging and a built-in speaker for Find My functions.
I’ve come to the last of Apple’s AirPods lineup: AirPods 4 with Active Noise Cancelation. These AirPods were the first time ANC was brought down to non-Pro and Max models. So, when comparing AirPods 4 and AirPods Pro 2, it’s essential to recognize that Apple claims the AirPods Pro 2 have twice as good noise cancellation than AirPods 4. Otherwise, you’ll benefit from the same audio features that AirPods Pro 2 provides, such as adaptive audio, transparency mode, and conversation awareness.
If your heart’s set on AirPods, but your finances are set on a limited budget, the AirPods 4 are your most economical option.
AirPods 4 with ANC offer the same five hours of battery life, 30 with the charging case, and force touch sensors in the stems for audio playback controls as its non-ANC counterpart. What’s even more exciting is the charging case for AirPods 4 with ANC includes Find My support, a speaker, USB-C, and wireless charging. However, the charging case doesn’t include precision finding or MagSafe support.
AirPods 4 with ANC are $179.
Apple’s new AirPods Pro hearing aid feature has officially received FDA authorization
The FDA has approved Apple’s planned hearing aid feature for the AirPods Pro launching this fall.
