For quite some years Apple’s AirPods have been some of the coolest audio accessories you can buy. Just insert the buds into your ears and they work seamlessly with your Apple devices. When you are done using them, pop them into a white case to replenish the power. What could Apple have done differently with its regular sound cans (as opposed to the Pro model)? Apple is offering two versions of the regular AirPods for the first time — one comes with active noise cancellation and the other doesn’t. We have been trying the version with ANC and it defies expectations.

The wizardry of Apple’s sound team is visible when you unbox the AirPods 4 with active noise cancellation. There are no silicone ear tips in the box. Now how can you get ANC without these tips? There is a large section of the audience who like to have silicone tips jammed in their ears while others don’t. Simplify this further: There are those who want active noise cancellation and then there are those who don’t care about it. Apple has something for everyone. Why not offer the standard AirPods with an open design but then have a variant where ANC is an integral part? And it works.

Shrinking gap between pro and non-pro models

AirPods 4 comes with the H2 chip, which powers several new features that boost sound quality and voice call clarity

The AirPods 4 replaces AirPods 2 and AirPods 3 on Apple’s lineup. Apple is hoping the new design will offer a better fit for a wider range of ears. The new AirPods fits my ears better than the previous generation, sitting snugly.

Both new AirPods 4 have the same design, same sound quality and same voice-calling performance and they both have Apple’s H2 chip with Bluetooth 5.3. That’s the same chip found in the AirPods Pro 2. Apple has upgraded both buds with a new acoustic architecture and slightly changed the angle of how the drivers are pointed into your ears, which is supposed to improve sound quality. The new drivers and the digital processing power of the H2 chip make AirPods 4 sound better than the previous generation.

Since these are open earbuds, the sound does have an open quality. Overall, the sound is a lot cleaner and you get more bass. There’s also more depth to the sound, a certain degree of richness. The overall sound is fuller. These are easily the best-sounding open earbuds available at the moment. You will not get the same level of bass or sound quality as on the AirPods Pro 2 but the gap has narrowed quite a bit. I didn’t feel as if I was making a big sacrifice in terms of sound quality with these compared to the AirPods Pro 2.

The ANC tech on AirPods 4 is great at tackling lower-frequency noises from aeroplane cabins and city traffic

Does it fit well? When silicone ear tips are involved, the fit obviously doesn’t need a mention. Ear shapes are different and some people have slightly different ear shapes for the right and left. Once you get it into the right spot, the fear of the AirPods 4 falling out has reduced quite a bit. They fit well and you can wear it for long hours.

To ANC or not to ANC

When you compare the two new AirPods 4 models, there is a small price difference. The charging cases are the same size and look nearly identical. The step-up ANC model case has a speaker integrated into it, like in the case of the AirPods Pro 2. The speaker emits a chirp when you use the Find My feature with proximity finding making it easier to locate the case if it gets hidden behind something or stuck in your couch cushions. Also, the entry-level model’s case doesn’t have wireless charging while the ANC model’s case offers the same (the charging case also works with the Apple Watch charger or USB‑C connector). Neither model has the more advanced precision finding of the AirPods Pro 2, which has a U1 chip in its case.

Both the earbuds and case offer IP54 resistance against dust and water

The AirPod 4’s charging case is slightly smaller than that of AirPods 3. Another difference: There’s no longer a physical button on the AirPod 4’s charging case for activating Bluetooth and pairing the buds. Instead, you double-tap on the case to initiate pairing and double-tap three times to initiate reset. Both the buds in the case have an IP54 rating, which means they’re splashproof, dustproof and sweat-resistant.

Wowza tech chops

Almost everyone who visits Calcutta talks about noises on the street. So, the city streets are the perfect place to try the noise-canceling feature on an open-ear design. Pinch the earbuds, and once ANC sets in, a lot of city noise drowns out. If AirPods Pro 2 cancels out almost every noise, the new pair can tackle around 60-70 per cent of the noise.

The microphones on the AirPods 4 analyse your environment and generate anti-noise to tackle ambient loudness. Usually, earbuds that support ANC get support from the ear tips that offer a snug fit. Here, there are no silicone ear tips, yet, ANC magic happens.

Face it, not everyone wants to live in the bubble of tranquillity that the Pro model offers. Many users want to dial down noises and AirPods 4 does just that.

There are two ways I enjoy ANC. First, I put on my AirPods Pro 2, and turn on ANC on the plane or a car full of chatterboxes on a long drive to catch some sleep. Second, I want to turn on the ANC to listen to music. With AirPods 4, I certainly can dial down all the noises around me even without music playing. And once Jack White’s new album, driven by the blues, comes on, the sound is terrific while the din fades into the background. The ANC is good enough to tackle lower-frequency noises from aeroplane cabins, city traffic, and chitter-chatter in the office. It’s a technological achievement for the audio industry.

Shake, rattle and nod

Both models of AirPods 4 have Personalised Spatial Audio with quick pairing for Apple devices. Siri is always at your command. Both models have the same sensors on the stems to control playback and other functions.

The H2 chip helps with gesture control. You can nod to get things done. For example, you can receive or reject calls with a nod or shake of your head. It works seamlessly. Head gestures need to be turned on to get the feature working.

Make the call

AirPods 4 with ANC supports wireless charging

The new AirPods with ANC are particularly helpful if you are in very loud surroundings, like a train or a plane. As important as ANC is transparency mode; it’s the best you will get on any pair of sound cans. Transparency mode sounds natural, allowing voices to come through clearly. Battery life? It’s rated four hours with ANC on (single charge, with the case you get 20 hours) and five hours with ANC off (with the case you get 30 hours).

The new device is a sensible option even if you have to do podcasts, a lot of phone calls, or listen to music. Most people will like these earbuds as they can handle any genre of music pretty well. Competitive pricing, active noise cancellation, wireless charging… what more can you ask for? Apple has addressed an underserved category with an excellent pair of sound cans. AirPods 4 with ANC is a solid choice and a big step forward for the open-ear design.

At a glance

Device: AirPods 4 (with active noise cancellation)

Price: Rs 17,900 with ANC and Rs 12,900 without ANC

High notes

ANC with an open-ear design

Excellent sound quality

Wireless charging

Built-in speaker on case (in case you misplace the pods)

H2 chip

Good pricing

Muffled note

Comes in one colour

Who is it for?

Anyone who wants to use ANC to dial down the din surrounding us and also those who like an open-ear design