Apple AirPods 4 Wireless Earbuds Review: Are They Worth It?
Dealing with tangled wires and old headphones can be frustrating. We spent some time with the new AirPods 4 to see how they handled daily use, and the results were mostly positive.
Pairing them with our phone was quick. Moving between calls and music was smooth.
Sound quality was impressive, especially when watching videos or listening to music with spatial audio. Battery life covered all-day use without much worry about recharging.
We did find that, while the design felt comfortable, we had to adjust them a few times during a workout. The dust and water resistance made them useful for both travel and everyday use.
Overview of Apple AirPods 4
After testing these earbuds during work, travel, and workouts, we found the updated fit noticeably more comfortable than older versions. They sit well in our ears and don’t slip, even when we’re moving.
The sound is clear, and the spatial audio feels immersive, especially for music and movies. We noticed that the call quality is strong, even outside with background noise.
The battery lasted about five hours per charge, and we appreciated the compact case. Needing to buy a USB-C cable separately was inconvenient.
Water and sweat resistance gave us peace of mind during workouts. The lack of active noise cancellation stood out as a limitation.
All-Day Comfort and Fit
Wearing these earbuds for hours at a time didn’t leave our ears sore or tired. The shape is smoother and the smaller size made them feel lighter than older models we’ve tried.
They stayed put during walks and workouts without slipping or needing constant adjustment. Still, after a long day, some of us did notice a slight pressure, which seems common for in-ear devices.
On the plus side, the fit didn’t change much, even when we moved around a lot or wore them at different angles.
Pros:
- Comfortable for extended wear
- Stay secure during activity
Cons:
- Some minor pressure after all-day use
Personalized Spatial Audio Experience
When we tried these earbuds, the spatial audio really stood out. With music and movies, sound seemed to move around us, which made listening feel much more immersive.
The dynamic head tracking followed our movements, keeping the audio centered even when we turned our heads. We liked how easy it was to set up and personalize the audio settings to match our ears.
Songs and voices felt more natural, not just coming from left or right, but from different directions. However, a few of us noticed the effect is most obvious with certain apps and content, so results can vary.
Highlights:
- Immersive surround-like sound
- Personalization for each listener
- Works best with supported devices and content
Enhanced Call and Sound Quality
When we tried these earbuds for phone calls, voices came through crisp and easy to understand. Even in busy places, we noticed less background noise than with older models.
The voice isolation feature made our voices clearer to people on the other end. Listening to music felt enjoyable, especially with the spatial audio turned on.
Everything sounded full and natural. However, the difference was less noticeable in super noisy environments.
One downside is that high wind can still affect call clarity a bit.
Intuitive Controls and Seamless Integration
Using these earbuds feels natural from the start. We found the touch controls simple and quick to use, making it easy to play music, pause tracks, or answer calls without fumbling.
Changing songs or adjusting settings isn’t confusing, even for those of us new to wireless earbuds. Integration with iPhones is quick and smooth.
The instant setup means less time in menus and more time listening. Voice commands through Siri are responsive, and the nod or shake head feature for answering calls or dealing with notifications is handy, even if it takes a moment to get used to.
Our group liked that everything just worked together without extra steps. However, those using non-Apple devices may not get the same easy setup.
It’s clear these controls and features are strongest for people in the Apple ecosystem.
Long Battery Life and USB-C Charging
One thing we noticed right away is how convenient it is to not worry about frequent charging. On a single charge, the AirPods 4 lasted for several hours of listening during our daily routine.
Using the charging case between sessions stretched the total usage much longer before we needed to plug in again. We also appreciate the move to USB-C charging.
It matches the cables we use for other devices, so we don’t have to keep a separate charger just for these earbuds. However, it’s worth noting that no cable comes included, which may be disappointing for some.
Durability for Active Lifestyles
After using these earbuds during both workouts and busy days, we noticed they can handle sweat and a bit of rain without issue. The IP54 rating gives us some peace of mind if we get caught outside or have a tough gym session.
The charging case also feels solid and survived being tossed in our bag. We found that while they’re resistant to sweat and water, we still need to be careful not to drop them often, as the lightweight design could make them prone to scratches or cosmetic wear.
For daily use and light activity, the AirPods 4 do a good job staying reliable.
Pros and Cons
Pros
We found the fit to be really comfortable, even after wearing these earbuds for hours. The updated shape and lighter case make them easier to keep in our pockets or bags.
Calls stayed clear in different environments, and the voice isolation feature made a noticeable difference when we were in noisy places. The sound quality stands out, especially when using personalized spatial audio.
Music feels more immersive, and watching shows with these earbuds is much better than with many others we’ve tried. Battery life is strong; getting a full week of daily use before needing to charge the case wasn’t a problem for us.
The new USB-C charging works with the latest Apple devices, so we needed fewer cables. We also appreciated the water and sweat resistance.
Workouts, walking in rain, and day-to-day use didn’t leave us worried about damaging them.
Pros Table
| Feature | Our Experience |
|---|---|
| Comfort | Wore for hours with little discomfort |
| Sound Quality | Clear, rich, and immersive |
| Call Performance | Crisp with strong noise isolation |
| Battery Life | Lasted through several days of regular use |
| Water/Sweat Resistance | Withstood workouts and weather |
| Simple Setup | Quick and easy to pair with iPhone |
Cons
We did notice a couple of drawbacks during regular use. The earbuds are designed primarily for Apple devices, so working with Android or other platforms means giving up some features.
There’s no adjustable sound profile, so users who like to tweak bass or treble might be disappointed. The case, while smaller, can scratch easily if tossed in a bag with keys.
We also wish there were more physical controls beyond basic play, pause, and answering calls—the quick-press controls can feel limited at times. Finally, the price is on the higher side compared to other wireless earbuds, especially without extra customization options.
Cons Table
| Issue | Our Take |
|---|---|
| Limited Customization | No built-in EQ settings for sound adjustment |
| Best with Apple Devices | Some features missing on Android |
| Case Durability | Prone to scratches |
| Control Options | Basic functionality, lacks advanced controls |
| Higher Price | Costs more than similar wireless earbuds |
Customer Reviews
After spending time with the AirPods 4, we noticed most users find the sound quality very impressive, especially mentioning the clear audio and personalized spatial features. Comfort stands out, too, with many saying they can wear these earbuds for long periods without issues.
A few people experienced minor problems, like packaging arriving a bit scuffed, but the earbuds themselves worked well. Some users upgraded from an older model and felt the improvements in battery life and sound.
We did see a mix of feedback about the fit, but most agreed they’re reliable for everyday use. With over 8,000 ratings and an average score of 4.4 out of 5, the AirPods 4 seem to satisfy most expectations for wireless earbuds.
Unique Features for Apple Ecosystem Users
Switching between our iPhone, iPad, and Mac felt easy with these earbuds. Once paired with one device, the AirPods 4 showed up on all our Apple gadgets without any extra setup.
We found this helpful when moving from music on our phone to a video call on the laptop. Features like Siri voice control worked smoothly too.
We just said “Siri” and could play music or send a message, and the new head-nod commands were convenient when we had our hands full.
Pros for Apple users:
- Quick and simple pairing across devices
- Hands-free access to Siri
- Share audio instantly with another set of AirPods
The downside we noticed is that these features are limited if you use them with non-Apple devices. For those deep into the Apple ecosystem like us, though, the experience felt seamless.
Conclusion
After testing these earbuds, we noticed both strengths and a few drawbacks.
The quick pairing with our devices and their comfortable fit were definite highlights.
We also enjoyed the solid sound quality and the convenience of a long battery life.
However, the case shows wear easily and the overall cost might give some buyers pause.
