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AirPods 4
A new open-fit shape and an H2 chip at $129.
Overview
AirPods 4 started from a new shape. After studying thousands of ear scans, Apple made the bud smaller and rounder so it sits more comfortably without ear tips. The result is an open-fit earbud, which lets outside sound in naturally.
The H2 chip, previously reserved for AirPods Pro, brought Personalised Spatial Audio, Voice Isolation for calls and the ability to answer Siri prompts by nodding or shaking the head. A force sensor, now in the stem, supports pressing, swiping and long presses.
Battery life is five hours on a charge and 30 hours with the case, which has switched to USB-C and carries a status light. The standard version has no wireless charging or speaker in the case. It was aimed at buyers who want the AirPods Pro experience without silicone tips.
Why it mattered
Modernised the entry-level AirPods with Apple's H2 chip and a more comfortable open design.
At a glance
- Announced
- September 9, 2024
- Released
- September 20, 2024
- Launch price
- $129
- Status
- Available
Highlights
- New open-fit shape
- H2 chip
- Personalised Spatial Audio
- Head gestures for Siri
- USB-C case
Tech specs
Specifications as published at launch. Some values (like battery life) are manufacturer estimates.
Audio
- Driver
- Custom high-excursion Apple driver with custom amplifier
- Noise control
- None (Voice Isolation for calls)
- Spatial Audio
- Personalised Spatial Audio with dynamic head tracking
- Microphones
- Dual beamforming microphones, inward-facing microphone
Chip
- Chip
- Apple H2
Battery
- Listening time
- Up to 5 hours
- Total with case
- Up to 30 hours
Connectivity
- Bluetooth
- Bluetooth 5.3
- Charging
- USB-C case
Design
- Water resistance
- IP54 (earbuds and case)
- Weight
- 4.3 g per earbud
Features
- Controls
- Force sensor on stem (press, swipe), head gestures, Hey Siri
- Sensors
- Skin-detect sensor, motion and speech accelerometers, force sensor
Software
- Launch OS
- iOS 18
How it compares
More in the AirPods family
AirPods (1st generation)
Cord-free earbuds that pair with an iPhone in one tap.
AirPods (2nd generation)
Hands-free Siri and faster switching arrive with the H1 chip.
AirPods (3rd generation)
A shorter-stem redesign with Spatial Audio and sweat resistance.
AirPods 4 with Active Noise Cancellation
Open-fit earbuds that can still cancel noise.
AirPods 5
Open-fit earbuds with noise cancellation at the entry price.
AirPods 5 with Wireless Charging Case
The same ANC earbuds plus volume swipes and a wireless case.