The issue of “upgrade time” is a perpetual concern in the dynamic realm of technology. As the year 2024 progresses, an intriguing choice to consider is the AirPods 4. These elegant, wireless earbuds provide effortless incorporation into your everyday routine, whether you’re traveling, exercising, or simply indulging in your preferred music. What distinguishes the AirPods 4 from previous models this year?
To begin with, the advanced features of the product have been meticulously adjusted to meet the requirements of contemporary lifestyles. These features include enhanced sound quality, extended battery life, and novel noise-cancellation capabilities. Moreover, the extensive compatibility of these devices guarantees a seamless user experience across diverse platforms.
Apple AirPods 4: Design And Feature
During our evaluation of the AirPods 3, we observed that their reduced stem length and curved shells provided greater comfort compared to earlier models. We anticipate further refinement of the design for the fourth generation.
Mark Gurman from Bloomberg forecasts that the upcoming AirPods will combine the design elements of the AirPods 3 and the AirPods Pro 2. Given the visual similarity between the two, it is probable that the AirPods 4 will enhance the current design rather than introduce any groundbreaking changes in terms of styling. Similarly, we anticipate that the AirPods 4 will adhere to all prior iterations and exclusively be available in Apple’s distinctive white coating.
A notable enhancement is the incorporation of interchangeable ear tips into the AirPods 4, a characteristic presently exclusive to the Pro series. Regrettably, Gurman expresses skepticism regarding the likelihood of this occurrence, proposing instead that the AirPods 4 will adhere to the unsealed configuration observed in prior iterations. This observation suggests that active noise cancellation may not be present on the AirPods 4, although it does not definitively exclude the possibility.
The AirPods Pro 2 serves as an example of the use of touch controls for on-bud volume control, which would be desirable to observe. In our review of the AirPods 3, we highlighted this exclusion and believe it should be included as a standard feature instead of depending on Siri or your smartphone. The future outcome of Apple’s decision to incorporate it into the AirPods 4 remains uncertain.
Regarding the charging case, there has been extensive debate regarding the transition to USB-C. The likelihood of this outcome is highly probable, considering the European Union’s decision regarding ports and the ongoing integration of the interface into Apple’s flagship devices, such as the iPhone 15 series. Gurman anticipates that all AirPods will transition to USB-C by the upcoming year.
Apple AirPods 4: Sound Quality
The audio quality of the AirPods 3 was well-balanced and generally impressive, although it fell short of being the most superior option available. Although the bass of the AirPods 4 may not be exceptional due to its unsealed fit, we still anticipate enhancements in this aspect. These improvements may be attributed to enhancements in adaptive EQ or the inclusion of Apple’s H2 chip (refer to the information below).
The AirPods Pro will persist in being positioned as Apple’s preferred earbuds for audiophiles; however, Apple must strive to remain competitive with wireless in-ears that offer superior sound quality and lower cost, such as the Sony WF-C700N. We must exercise patience and observe the outcome of this situation.
If Apple opts to introduce a more affordable iteration of the AirPods 4, it is anticipated that the fundamental audio quality will not be compromised. However, Apple would probably eliminate specific high-end listening functionalities from the lower-priced alternative. Potential features that could be incorporated are ear detection and spatial audio support.
If one engages in music consumption on a platform lacking spatial audio capabilities, such as Spotify, the absence of spatial audio in return for a reduced cost may render the ‘Lite’ variant of the AirPods 4 a more attractive option.
New AirPods 4 With Big Upgrades
It is anticipated that Apple AirPods will undergo a significant revamp and get design modifications in 2024, as the company is planning to introduce two AirPods 4 models during this period. Apple is expected to commence manufacturing of the forthcoming AirPods in May and aim to have them available for shipment by September or October, coinciding with their announcement.
The design of AirPods has remained relatively consistent over several years, making it challenging to distinguish between the AirPods 2 and the third-generation model unless one has acquired the Pro version. One significant modification that AirPods have implemented thus far is the adoption of USB C as the charging standard, a move that is consistent with Apple’s broader product portfolio since the introduction of the iPhone 15 series in the previous year.
The report predicts that the AirPods 4 series will come in two different versions and include notable improvements from recent years. The majority of iPhone users seeking an upgrade will appreciate the new design. However, it is imperative that the vanilla AirPods also incorporate advanced functionalities such as active noise cancellation and a USB-C charging port.
Nevertheless, Apple has the potential to enhance the AirPods 4 by incorporating a speaker within the charging case that can effectively notify users connected to the Find My Device network. This improvement would be highly beneficial for a wide range of users.
Apple’s introduction of two AirPods 4 models may result in the replacement of both the AirPods 2 and the third-generation AirPods model. The inclusion of these two models in the new AirPods 4 series has the potential to enable the company to set a higher price for the product, thereby enticing current AirPods users to upgrade to the enhanced features in the upcoming year.
Although it is anticipated that Apple will introduce the long-awaited enhancements to the AirPods, the company appears less inclined to introduce the next-generation AirPods Pro model, at least until the following year. This is the specified timeline for Apple to unveil the updated iPhone SE 4 model, which is expected to showcase a design similar to the iPhone 14 and permanently eliminate Touch ID functionality on iPhones.
Apple AirPods 4: Software And Performance
Although the battery life of the AirPods 3 showed improvement, these improvements were negated when spatial audio was activated. We anticipate a significant enhancement in the durability of the AirPods 4. An effective approach to accomplishing this could involve utilizing Apple’s H2 chip.
The H2 chip, which is already present in the AirPods Pro 2, exhibits higher efficiency compared to the H1 chip found in the AirPods 3. Additionally, the device provides support for Bluetooth 5.3 connectivity, which exhibits superior efficiency and stability compared to Bluetooth 5.0. The computational capabilities of the H2 chip can also enhance audio quality, although the extent of its impact without ANC remains uncertain.
The incorporation of the H2 chip into the AirPods 4 would align with Apple’s strategy of distributing smartphone processors through a trickle-down mechanism. Given the potential inclusion of a new H3 chip in the forthcoming AirPods Pro 3, it is reasonable to consider the H2 as a logical progression in terms of performance enhancement for the AirPods 4, particularly for the premium variant.
Regarding additional features, it is highly probable that other features that were previously exclusive to the Pro model will be incorporated into the AirPods 4. Specifically, the inclusion of speakers in the charging case will enable support for Find My Alerts.
Mark Gurman has proposed additional enhancements for forthcoming iterations of AirPods, such as the incorporation of temperature sensors and the inclusion of hearing data support. The potential inclusion of such features in an AirPods Pro update is yet to be determined, although it is probable that they would be introduced before the standard model.
Conclusion
The AirPods 4 is a sleek wireless earbud set to be released in 2024. It offers advanced features such as improved sound quality, enhanced battery life, and innovative noise-cancellation capabilities. The AirPods 4 will follow the design of the AirPods 3 and Pro 2, with a white finish. The design may not include changeable ear tips or touch controls for volume control. The sound quality is expected to be improved, with the AirPods 4 likely to offer a cheaper version with ear detection and support for spatial audio.
Apple is set to release two AirPods 4 models in 2024, with the first starting production in May and shipping by September or October. The AirPods 4 series will feature a new design and advanced features like active noise cancellation, USB C charging, and a speaker in the charging case. The company is not keen to launch the next-gen AirPods Pro model until next year, as it could lead to a higher price and attract existing users. The AirPods 4 may also include features like Find My Alerts and temperature sensors.
FAQS
Should you upgrade to the new AirPods?
The second generation of Apple AirPods Pro wireless earbuds is equipped with USB-C charging capabilities. VERDICT: Apple’s latest noise-canceling earbuds received only minor enhancements, which is acceptable as they were already exceptional. While there is no immediate necessity to upgrade, if you have not yet acquired a pair, it would be worthwhile to invest in them.
Is there going to be AirPods 4th generation?
It is anticipated that both iterations of the AirPods 4 will incorporate reduced stem length and enhanced ergonomic design. Nevertheless, it is doubtful that either option will offer interchangeable ear tips similar to the AirPods Pro 2. Similar to previous iterations of AirPods, we anticipate that the AirPods 4 will be available in white color and feature an unsealed design with contoured stems.