A real pleasure, with and without cancellation of noise [Review]

Apple amounts to loading with the AirPods 4, A renewal which, far from being a simple washing of the face, aims to more polish the success formula that has transformed these headphones into the sector standard. And, if something knows how to do Apple, he listens to your community and refines your star product to adapt to a glove in your ecosystem. Today, I tell you, with great details and hairless on the tongue, how are these AirPods 4 after several weeks of intensive use. Are they really up to the media threshing? Check it.

Design and materials: minimalism continues to send

Apple generally does not risk too much regarding the design, and with the AirPods 4, it opted for the maximum “if it works, do not touch it too much”. At first glance, they seem a discreet evolution concerning AirPods 3, but it is enough to use them for a few days to notice the improvements: the adjustment is more comfortable, they remain firm even for long sessions or when you go out to run, And the weight of each helmet (4.3 grams) is so light that you forget that you wear them.

The loading case, finally, adds to the USB-C part. A movement forced by the European Union, yes, but that we appreciate all those who go with a single cable in the backpack. The headphones and the case have IP54 certification, which results in dust resistance, perspiration and splashes. They should not dive, but they support the daily trot without ruffle.

Sound quality: Apple climbs the bet

Here, Apple has taken a step forward. AirPods 4 has set up a new acoustic driver and a high dynamic row amplifier which, in practice, results in a rounder and balanced sound. The bass has glued more, the voices seem clear and acute that have not even grinned to high volumes. The difference with regard to previous generations is noted, especially if you are one of those who press Spotify or Apple Music daily.

The jewel of the crown is the adaptive audio: AirPods 4 automatically adjust the low and average frequencies depending on how you place them. In other words, each ear receives its own “costume”, without you having to touch anything in the parameters. For the most purists, it can be a double edition sword, but the reality is that the experience is remarkably richer and more personalized.

And if you are one of those looking for an enveloping experience, space audio with dynamic head surveillance is still there, improved. The effect “Being in the middle of the scene” or in a film is real, although I recognize that the differences in relation to the previous generation are not as abysmal as the Apple promise.

Active noise cancellation (ANC): now, for all

Finally, the active cancellation of noise ceases to be an exclusive heritage of the AirPods Pro. In AirPods 4, Apple implemented an ancient ancient which, thanks to the H2 chip and the improved microphones, manages to isolate you quite well with boring noise such as engines or background conversations. Personally, I am not a fan of total cancellation, but I recognize that to travel or work in noisy environments, that's a plus.

In addition, Apple has new adaptive modes:

• Adaptive audio: Combine the ANC and the mode of transparency depending on the environment, without doing anything.

• Transparency mode: Let the ambient sound pass, ideal not to lose what is going on around you.

• Conversation detection: Automatically lower the volume when he detects that you speak to someone.

These modes make AirPods 4 in off -road helmet: they are sure in the office that allow you to walk in the city without disconnecting from the world.

Tactile controls: improved, but with the same mania

Apple has refined tactile controls: now you can manage reproduction, answer calls or invoke Siri with gestures on the pressure sensor. The answer is immediate and, after a few days, the gestures come out naturally. But we can always adjust the volume directly from headphones. We need to use Siri or Mobile, a limitation that I do not end up understanding in the middle of 2025.

Connectivity and integration: ecosystem, its best weapon

If you have an iPhone, iPad or Mac, AirPods 4 are simply unbeatable. The H2 and Bluetooth 5.3 chip guarantees a quick and stable connection, and the automatic change function between the devices works like silk. In my case, going from the iPhone to the MacBook or Apple TV is a question of seconds, without cuts or complications.

An interesting novelty is the automatic volume setting according to environmental noise and your previous preferences. If you are one of those who constantly change the environment, you will appreciate it.

Autonomy: more hours, less concerns

The battery has never been a problem in the AirPods, and this generation confirms it:

• Ancient sin, They offer up to 30 hours of total use (6 hours per individual load).

• With the activated ANC, Autonomy falls at around 20 hours (5 hours of load), but deactivating the function that you return to 30 hours.

In addition, with only five minutes of loading in the case, you have an additional time. Perfect for these last -minute mistakes before leaving the house.

Comparison with other Apple models

As you can see, the AirPods 4 fill this hole between AirPods 3 and Pro 2, offering the best of both worlds at an intermediate price. If you are looking for ANC but you don't want to spend what the pro cost, here is your option.

My opinion, are they worth it?

The AirPods 4 are, without sure blow, the most balanced headphones that Apple has launched to date. They are not the cheapest, but no longer the most expensive, you change that you receive a round product: good sound, abundant autonomy, improved resistance and integration with the apple ecosystem which remains the desire for competition.

Do they have an improvement margin? Of course. Direct control of the volume remains a pending subject and, although the ANC is welcome, it does not reach the level of the pro. But if you are an Apple user and you are looking for versatile and comfortable headphones and with this “plug and go” point, the AirPods 4 are a safe bet.

In short, Apple does not reinvent the wheel, But he pulls it to the extreme. AirPods 4 are the logical evolution of a saga which continues to mark the passage in the world of wireless audio. If the tests, it is very likely that you did not want to go back.