The New AirPods 4: A Step Forward and Backward

Speaking of sensors, the new model uses Infrared (IR) Optical sensors to detect when they are in or out of your ears, which will then play or pause your content. AirPods 2 use similar Optical sensors but have improved skin sensors. This is a little step backward as the new AirPods 4's skin sensors could be technically triggered like when you're in your pocket.

The new AirPods 4 also come with four stems, which is the same as on AirPods 3. However, it's better than the tapping gestures on AirPods 2. You can use these two control playback, switch audio modes, or answer calls just by a squeeze. Audio quality on these should be good if not as good as the AirPods Pro 2. Apple says they have a new audio architecture for their best open-air sound yet.

For durability, the new AirPods 4 have IP54 resistance, which encompasses dust, water, and sweat. AirPods 2 had no promised durability, while AirPods 3 had IPX4. The four represents the limited water and sweat resistance, while the X means it wasn't tested for dust. This should make the new model just a bit more protective against those small particles.

They also slot into a redesigned charging case that Apple says is its smallest to date. Of course, they both charge over USB-C. Interestingly, Apple doesn't include a USBC cable in the box. Do you think Apple should have put that in there? I mean, most everyone should have a USB-C cable at this point right, especially if you have an iPhone already. It seems a little unnecessary to include it but also kind of cheap.

The upper-tier version of AirPods 4, the one with the "A" and "C," also includes wireless charging in the case. They can be charged on any Qi charger or on an Apple Watch Puck since the case is so small. Apple actually had to remove the MagSafe charging from this model, as they'll still charge when placed on a MagSafe Puck but they'll lack that magnetic alignment component. It's a minor inconvenience considering all the other improvements.

The new iPhones have faster 25-watt MagSafe charging. If you want to learn more about that check out the video I've linked here. The upper-tier version also has a speaker in the case for Find My, which doesn't have the U1 chip like AirPods Pro but will make it easier to find overall.

On the topic of charging, both versions offer 30 hours of total playback time including the battery in the case itself. AirPods 3 match that, while AirPods 2 only had more than 24 hours on a single charge. The earbuds themselves will go on for 5 hours, which is the same as AirPods 2 but an hour less than what AirPods 3 offered internally.

Internally on these earbuds is Apple's latest H2 Wireless chip, which also upgrades Bluetooth support to version 5.3 up from 5.0 on both models. The new chip powers improvements for Apple's digital assistance, such as being able to say just "Siri" instead of "Hey, Apple assistant." There's also hands-free commands now, where you can nod or shake your head to respond to Siri and that works for any request that you get from Siri.

Your voice also sounds better on the H2 chip with voice isolation removing background noise. The last new software feature on both AirPods 4 is personalized volume, which will adjust the volume based on where you are and your past preferences so that covers all the improvements to both sets of AirPods 4 now.

What's Unique on the Upper-Tier Model?

The biggest difference between the two models as you know is active noise cancellation. This is the first time Apple has introduced ANC on an open-air design. It has better onboard microphones that are used to help reduce background noise, which means they have transparency mode too. Letting in the world around you when you need to. You can switch these modes manually but they do support adaptive audio which switches modes for you.

Finally, there is conversational awareness, which will lower your media volume when you start talking to someone and then bring it back up when you're done. The basic AirPods 4 come in at $129, while the upper-tier version comes in at $179, these are similar price points compared to before even though AirPods 2 could have always been seen for as low as like $80 bucks.

"WEBVTTKind: captionsLanguage: enhere is every single thing new with airpods 4 before we get into the nitty-gritty here be sure you subscribe to keep up to date with the latest Apple news so Apple's airpods lineup is getting majorly upended as apple is discontinuing both the airpods 2 and airpods 3 from the lineup replacing them are two versions of airpods 4 in most ways the airpods 4 are steps up but there're at least a couple small steps back too it's also tough because some features in airpods 4 are entirely new while some are in airpods 3 and still more were present in the OG airpods so I'll try to make this as clear as possible on what is and isn't actually new here starting with the similarities on the airpods 4 and airpods 4 withc starting with the design which is Apple's latest attempt at an open Air Design meaning they lack the silicone ear tips found on airpods Pro both versions of airpods 4 have the same physical shape which apple touts as its most comfortable ever it's a little more rounded and has a different arrangement of sensors compared to the airpods 3 that it's most similar to actually wasn't a huge fan of the airpods 3 shape so I'm hoping this is better speaking of sensors the new model uses inar Optical sensors to detect when they are in or out of your ears which will then play or pause your content airpods 2 use similar Optical sensors but airpods 3 had improved skin sensors airpods Pro have similar skin sensors so I see this as a little step backward as they could technically get triggered like in your pocket they have four stems which is the same as on airpods 3 but it's better than the tapping gestures on airpods 2 you can use these two control playback switch audio modes or answer calls just by a squeeze audio quality on these should be good if not as good as the airpods Pro 2 Apple says they have a new audio architecture for their best open air sound yet for durability the new airpods 4 have ip54 resistance which encompasses dust water and sweat airpods 2 had no promised durability while airpods 3 had ipx4 the four represents the limited water and sweat resistance while the X mean it wasn't tested for dust that should make the new model just a bit more protective against those small particles they slot into a redesigned charging case that Apple says is its smallest to date of course they both charge over USBC oddly enough Apple doesn't include a USBC Cable in the Box do you think Apple should have put that in there I mean most everyone should have a USBC cable at this point right especially if you have an iPhone already it it seems a little unnecessary to include it but also kind of cheap let me know which side you are on down in the comments include it or not include it so the upper tier version of airpods 4 the one with the A and C also include wireless charging in the case they can be charged on any Chi charger or on an Apple Watch Puck since the case is so small apple actually had to remove the mag saafe charging they'll still charge when placed on a MAG safe Puck but they'll lack that magnetic alignment component it's a minor inconvenience considering all the other improvements the new iPhones though have faster 25 wat mag safe charging if you want to learn more about that check on the video I've linked here the upper TI version also has a speaker in the case for find my it doesn't have the U1 chip like airpods Pro but it will make it easier to find overall on the topic of charging both versions offer 30 hours of Total playback time including the battery in the case itself airpods 3 match that while airpods 2 only had more than 24 total on a single charge the earbuds themselves will go on for 5 hours that's the same as airpods 2 but an hour less than what airpods 3 offered internally on these earbuds is Apple's latest H2 Wireless chip which also upgrades the bluetooth support to version 5.3 up from 5.0 on both models the new chip Powers improvements for Apple's digital assistance for example you can also now say just Siri instead of hey Apple assistant there's also handsfree commands now you can nod or shake your head to respond to Siri and that works for any request that you get from Siri that can be responded to in the affirmative or negative your voice also sounds better the H2 chips with voice isolation removing background noise the last new software feature on both of the airpods 4 is personalized volume this will adjust the volume based on where you are and your past preferences so that covers all the improvements to both sets of airpods 4 now let's talk what's unique on the upper tier model the biggest of which as you know is active noise cancellation this is the first time Apple has introduced ANC on an open air design it has better onboard microphones that are used to help reduce background noise that means they have transparency mode too letting in the world around you when you need to you can switch these modes manually but they do support adaptive audio which switches modes for you finally there is conversational awareness which will lower your media volume when you start talking to someone then bring it back up when you're done the basic airpods 4 come in at 129 while thec version are 179 these are similar price points compared to before even though airpods 2 could have always been seen for as low as like 80 bucks then again they've been out for years if you want to pick up either of the new earbuds there are links in the description let me know if you're going to buy either of them or maybe you're sticking with airpods Pro otherwise subscribe and I'll see you in the next videohere is every single thing new with airpods 4 before we get into the nitty-gritty here be sure you subscribe to keep up to date with the latest Apple news so Apple's airpods lineup is getting majorly upended as apple is discontinuing both the airpods 2 and airpods 3 from the lineup replacing them are two versions of airpods 4 in most ways the airpods 4 are steps up but there're at least a couple small steps back too it's also tough because some features in airpods 4 are entirely new while some are in airpods 3 and still more were present in the OG airpods so I'll try to make this as clear as possible on what is and isn't actually new here starting with the similarities on the airpods 4 and airpods 4 withc starting with the design which is Apple's latest attempt at an open Air Design meaning they lack the silicone ear tips found on airpods Pro both versions of airpods 4 have the same physical shape which apple touts as its most comfortable ever it's a little more rounded and has a different arrangement of sensors compared to the airpods 3 that it's most similar to actually wasn't a huge fan of the airpods 3 shape so I'm hoping this is better speaking of sensors the new model uses inar Optical sensors to detect when they are in or out of your ears which will then play or pause your content airpods 2 use similar Optical sensors but airpods 3 had improved skin sensors airpods Pro have similar skin sensors so I see this as a little step backward as they could technically get triggered like in your pocket they have four stems which is the same as on airpods 3 but it's better than the tapping gestures on airpods 2 you can use these two control playback switch audio modes or answer calls just by a squeeze audio quality on these should be good if not as good as the airpods Pro 2 Apple says they have a new audio architecture for their best open air sound yet for durability the new airpods 4 have ip54 resistance which encompasses dust water and sweat airpods 2 had no promised durability while airpods 3 had ipx4 the four represents the limited water and sweat resistance while the X mean it wasn't tested for dust that should make the new model just a bit more protective against those small particles they slot into a redesigned charging case that Apple says is its smallest to date of course they both charge over USBC oddly enough Apple doesn't include a USBC Cable in the Box do you think Apple should have put that in there I mean most everyone should have a USBC cable at this point right especially if you have an iPhone already it it seems a little unnecessary to include it but also kind of cheap let me know which side you are on down in the comments include it or not include it so the upper tier version of airpods 4 the one with the A and C also include wireless charging in the case they can be charged on any Chi charger or on an Apple Watch Puck since the case is so small apple actually had to remove the mag saafe charging they'll still charge when placed on a MAG safe Puck but they'll lack that magnetic alignment component it's a minor inconvenience considering all the other improvements the new iPhones though have faster 25 wat mag safe charging if you want to learn more about that check on the video I've linked here the upper TI version also has a speaker in the case for find my it doesn't have the U1 chip like airpods Pro but it will make it easier to find overall on the topic of charging both versions offer 30 hours of Total playback time including the battery in the case itself airpods 3 match that while airpods 2 only had more than 24 total on a single charge the earbuds themselves will go on for 5 hours that's the same as airpods 2 but an hour less than what airpods 3 offered internally on these earbuds is Apple's latest H2 Wireless chip which also upgrades the bluetooth support to version 5.3 up from 5.0 on both models the new chip Powers improvements for Apple's digital assistance for example you can also now say just Siri instead of hey Apple assistant there's also handsfree commands now you can nod or shake your head to respond to Siri and that works for any request that you get from Siri that can be responded to in the affirmative or negative your voice also sounds better the H2 chips with voice isolation removing background noise the last new software feature on both of the airpods 4 is personalized volume this will adjust the volume based on where you are and your past preferences so that covers all the improvements to both sets of airpods 4 now let's talk what's unique on the upper tier model the biggest of which as you know is active noise cancellation this is the first time Apple has introduced ANC on an open air design it has better onboard microphones that are used to help reduce background noise that means they have transparency mode too letting in the world around you when you need to you can switch these modes manually but they do support adaptive audio which switches modes for you finally there is conversational awareness which will lower your media volume when you start talking to someone then bring it back up when you're done the basic airpods 4 come in at 129 while thec version are 179 these are similar price points compared to before even though airpods 2 could have always been seen for as low as like 80 bucks then again they've been out for years if you want to pick up either of the new earbuds there are links in the description let me know if you're going to buy either of them or maybe you're sticking with airpods Pro otherwise subscribe and I'll see you in the next video\n"