AirPods 4: Release Date, Features & Price

It’s the news we really wanted to hear: the launch of AirPods 4.

Among all the fun of the iPhone 16 launch, audiophiles were more interested in the AirPods 4 release date, and Apple delivered music to our ears in September 2024.

While Apple currently leads the wireless stereo earphones market with around 21 percent market share, and while the AirPods Pro 2 (2019) and AirPods 3 (2021) are still our trusty friends, three years between generations was quite the gap.

But here we are — let’s explore the AirPods 4 features, specs, and price.

Table of Contents Table of Contents

1. When Will AirPods 4 Come Out?
2. AirPods 4 Price
3. AirPods 4 Features
4. Do AirPods 4 Have an H2 Chip?
5. Should I Upgrade to Apple AirPods 4?
6. The Bottom Line
7. FAQs

Show Full Guide

Table of Contents

1. When Will AirPods 4 Come Out?
2. AirPods 4 Price
3. AirPods 4 Features
Show Full Guide
4. Do AirPods 4 Have an H2 Chip?
5. Should I Upgrade to Apple AirPods 4?
6. The Bottom Line
7. FAQs

When Will AirPods 4 Come Out?

The AirPods 4 release date is September 20, 2024, with Apple announcing the new buds on September 9 at the company’s “Glowtime” event.

Apple opened AirPods pre-orders on the Apple website on September 9.

AirPods 4 Price

The AirPods 4 price arrives at $129 without ANC, or $179 for the mid-tier.

AirPods 4 Features

The new AirPods 4 arrive in two flavors: one with Active Noise Cancellation (ANC) and one without — so choose your pair wisely.

While style-wise, the fourth generation AirPods retain their classic look, which is often copied but never surpassed, there are some tweaks, including a more universal fit and improved audio architecture. Richer bass has been noted as a key improvement.

And farewell to the Lightning connector, which is being phased out in favor of USB-C charging. That’s either one less cable to carry around, or one more, depending on your tech choices over the last few years.

Do AirPods 4 Have an H2 Chip?

Yes! Previously reserved for Pro models, AirPods 4 include the H2 chip — a big step up from the previous generation H1 chip.

Apple touts a “low-distortion driver, high-dynamic range amplifier, and Personalized Spatial Audio with dynamic head tracking for the most immersive media experience.” It also offers a few extra audio features, including Voice Isolation, which allows clearer call quality, and Siri Interactions, which allow users to simply nod their heads for “yes” or gently shake their heads for “no.”

It is worth noting that only the higher-end AirPods support Adaptive Audio and Conversation Awareness, as they rely on the hardware that powers ANC for the features. The more expensive AirPods 4 also bring the same microphones as the AirPods Pro 2, a speaker in the case, and wireless charging (absent on the cheaper model).

Meanwhile, a force sensor on the AirPods 4 stem allows owners to play or pause media and mute or end calls with a quick press and Apple also claims the AirPods 4 are “great for gaming” due to low wireless audio latency.

Should I Upgrade to Apple AirPods 4?

If you already own a pair of AirPods Pros with USB-C and an H2 chip, you may consider passing on this opportunity.

But these two features alone, along with ANC, are enough to get endorsement if you are a new buyer or looking to upgrade from an older model.

The Bottom Line

If you are thinking of picking up an iPhone 16 and have an old pair of AirPods with a degrading battery, this could be a perfect opportunity to also add a pair of AirPods Gen 4 to your basket.

The introduction of two models also means that you don’t need to pay for ANC if you do not want to.

FAQs