AirPods 4 Review
Apple AirPods 4
Apple's fourth-generation open-ear wireless earbuds featuring the H2 chip, optional Active Noise Cancellation, and integrated head-tracking gestures.
How This Score Is Calculated
- Sources analysed: 17 reviews
- Raw weighted average: 7.8/10
- Formula: Σ(score × weight) ÷ Σ(weight)
- Most reviewed featureANC/Sound Quality (17/17)
- Most praisedUser Experience (iOS)
- Most criticisedBattery Life
The Apple AirPods 4 represent a significant functional leap for the open-ear form factor, finally introducing Active Noise Cancellation to the standard model. Reviewers praise the seamless iOS integration and improved sound profile delivered by the H2 chip. However, the open design inherently limits ANC effectiveness compared to sealed buds, and battery life is frequently cited as lagging behind current market standards.
🔧 Key Specifications
- Processor: Apple H2 Chip
- Design: Open-ear (non-sealed)
- Features: ANC (optional model), Spatial Audio, Head-tracking gestures
- Connectivity: Bluetooth 5.3
- Charging: USB-C (Charging Case)
📊 What Reviewers Say — Feature by Feature
👍 Key Strengths
- Excellent iOS integration
- Comfortable open-ear fit
- Surprisingly effective ANC
- H2 chip audio quality
👎 Key Weaknesses
- Mediocre battery life
- Limited features on Android
- Open design limits noise isolation
⚡ Where Reviewers Disagreed
- Value Proposition: 7 sources felt the price was justified by the H2 chip and ANC, while 5 sources argued the high surcharge for ANC made the product overpriced compared to budget competitors.
🎯 Who This Product Is For
🔀 Alternatives Mentioned by Reviewers
- Samsung Galaxy Buds4 Pro — A premium, feature-rich rival for Android users that matches Apple's audio quality but suffers from ecosystem-restricted features.
- EarFun Air Pro 4 — An exceptional budget alternative that delivers nearly 90% of the performance of premium buds at a fraction of the cost.
- Soundcore Liberty Buds — Positioned as an affordable semi-in-ear option, though reviewers note its ANC is largely ineffective compared to the AirPods 4.
- Sennheiser Accentum Open — Recommended for users who prioritize situational awareness and comfort over noise cancellation and heavy bass.
🛒 Buyer's Guide
✅ Buy This If…
- You own an iPhone and value seamless connectivity.
- You prefer the comfort of an open-ear design over silicone tips.
❌ Skip This If…
- You use an Android device as your primary phone.
- You require class-leading battery life for long-haul travel.
The AirPods 4 are a polished, high-performing choice for Apple users who prefer an open-ear fit. While the addition of ANC is a welcome upgrade, the sub-par battery life remains a drawback. For most, the user experience within the Apple ecosystem justifies the price, but Android users should look elsewhere.
PLG_CONTENT_IMAGEGALLERY_ERROR_NO_IMAGES
Reviewer Perspectives & Source Breakdown
Stuffcool Lumo 4-in-1 review: This little moon can keep iPhone, Watch an...
Price: Rs 4,999
The Stuffcool Lumo is a stylish and versatile bedside accessory that combines efficient multi-device charging with a functional RGB ambient lamp. While charging speeds are not industry-leading, its unique moon-inspired design and sturdy build quality make it an excellent aesthetic choice for organized charging.
Pros
- Unique and aesthetic moon-inspired design
- Sturdy and high-quality build
- Effective RGB ambient lighting
- Strong magnetic attachment for devices
Cons
- Slow wireless charging speeds
- Occasional inconsistency with Apple Watch charging
- Higher price point compared to standard chargers
Apple AirPods 4 review: Both ANC and standard models tested - bttr.revie...
Price: Approx. ₹12,300 to ₹16,800
The AirPods 4 with ANC are an exceptional value, offering superior sound quality and surprisingly effective noise cancellation for an open-ear design. They represent the best version of Apple's entry-level earbuds, making them an easy recommendation over the base model.
Pros
- ANC performance exceeds expectations for open-ear design
- Balanced, detailed sound quality
- More secure fit than most rivals
- Best-in-class seamless switching between Apple devices
- Spatial audio support
Cons
- Transparency mode lacks sufficient ambient sound
- Conversation awareness feature is unreliable
- Adaptive mode is indistinguishable from transparency
- Battery life reduces with ANC active
Apple AirPods 4 (ANC) Review: Price, Specs & Verdict | Fayorax Review - ...
Price: ₹16,999
The Apple AirPods 4 with ANC offer a balanced, premium listening experience with excellent call quality and ecosystem integration. They are a top choice for Apple users seeking comfort and reliable performance in a compact, open-fit design.
Pros
- Balanced and clear sound quality
- Effective Active Noise Cancellation
- Excellent call clarity
- Seamless Apple ecosystem integration
- Lightweight and comfortable design
- Spatial Audio support
Cons
- Average battery life per charge
- Limited sound customization
- Premium pricing
- Best features limited to Apple devices
EarFun Air Pro 4 review: 4th time's the charm for this AirPods Pro alter...
Price: Approximately ₹4,450 to ₹6,000
The EarFun Air Pro 4 offers excellent sound quality, effective active noise cancellation, and impressive battery life at an affordable price point. They are particularly well-suited for Android users, though they lack spatial audio.
Pros
- Helpful printed setup and operation instructions
- Rich, balanced sound quality
- Above-average noise cancelling performance
- Superb battery life
- Supports lossless audio codecs on Android
- Supports USB-C and wireless charging
Cons
- No spatial audio support
- Audio lag in games and videos
- Touch controls are slow to respond
- Potential for long-term reliability issues
EarFun Air Pro 4+ review: Serious AirPods Pro alternative for just $99 |...
Price: ₹18,414
The EarFun Air Pro 4+ are exceptional budget earbuds that deliver unbeatable sound quality and impressive battery life for the price. They perform remarkably close to premium competitors, making them an easy recommendation for anyone on a budget.
Pros
- Clear and rich bass
- Delicate yet effective treble
- Includes five ear tip sizes
- Comfortable fit
- Impressive 54-hour total battery life
Cons
- Build quality looks cheap
- Charging case lid feels flimsy
Sennheiser Accentum Open earbuds review: The real AirPods 4 alternative ...
Price: ₹9,999
The Sennheiser Accentum Open earbuds offer exceptional comfort and a natural, balanced sound signature, making them a great choice for those who value situational awareness over deep bass. However, the lack of ANC, customisable features, and missing app support makes them a niche offering at this price point.
Pros
- Exceptional all-day comfort with minimal ear fatigue
- Balanced and natural audio reproduction
- Effective situational awareness due to open-ear design
- Reliable battery life with quick charging support
- Compact and scratch-resistant case design
Cons
- Lacks punchy bass performance
- No Active Noise Cancellation
- No official mobile app support
- Touch controls are not customisable
- Charging case lacks a lid hinge spring
Soundpeats Air4 Pro review: A cheap, stripped back AirPods Pro alternati...
Price: Approx. ₹7,500
The Soundpeats Air4 Pro are solid, dependable earbuds that offer good ANC and decent sound quality for the price. While they lack the premium features and refinement of more expensive alternatives, they serve as a practical choice for daily activities.
Pros
- Good ANC for the price
- Excellent battery life
- Comfy fit
Cons
- Poor transparency mode
- Chunky case
Samsung Galaxy Buds 4 Pro hands-on review: 5 things to know about the Ai...
Price: Approximately ₹23,000
The Samsung Galaxy Buds 4 Pros are exceptionally comfortable earbuds that deliver superb audio quality and effective ANC. While battery life is slightly lower than previous models, they stand out as a premium, highly capable competitor to the AirPods Pro.
Pros
- Extremely comfortable for all-day wear
- Superb audio quality with warm bass
- Effective adaptive noise canceling
- Intuitive touch and swipe blade controls
Cons
- Battery life is shorter than previous generation
- Charging case design feels purely functional
- Premium price point
soundcore Liberty Buds Review: Affordable semi-in-ears in a duel with Ai...
The soundcore Liberty Buds offer a unique, stylish design and high-quality app features but suffer from ineffective ANC due to their semi-in-ear construction. They are a solid audio choice if you prioritize comfort and features over deep noise cancellation.
Pros
- Modern, distinctive and aesthetic design
- Excellent app with HearID and EQ customization
- IP55 dust and water resistance
- Supports LDAC codec for high-resolution audio
- Useful interchangeable ear hooks for secure fit
Cons
- Active Noise Cancelling is largely ineffective
- Touch controls are overly sensitive and prone to errors
- Charging case lacks wireless charging support
- Battery life shortens significantly with LDAC enabled
Page 1 of 3