Awkward branding aside, the $179 earbuds should tick most boxes for most people
When was the last time you saw a tech product turn into a commodity as swiftly as Bluetooth earbuds? Apple’s AirPods played a pivotal role in that transformation, bringing back the same kind of hype we hadn’t seen in consumer music tech since the iconic iPod hit the market.
Since their debut eight years ago, the core fundamentals of AirPods have remained largely the same. Sure, the stems have gotten shorter and new features have trickled in over time, but these have mostly been incremental improvements to a product that, in many ways, entered the world fully formed.
Until last week, that is.
At Apple’s latest iPhone 16 event, they shook things up with a new twist in the AirPods family. No longer content with a linear upgrade path, Apple split the base AirPods into two distinct offerings: the standard AirPods 4 and the new AirPods 4 with Active Noise Cancellation (ANC).
Here’s how the AirPods lineup stacks up now:
- AirPods 4 ($129)
- AirPods 4 with Active Noise Cancellation (ANC) ($179)
- AirPods Pro ($229)
- AirPods Max ($549)
I can only imagine the hours Apple’s branding team spent agonizing over what to call this new addition. I’d bet good money that “AirPods 4.5” was thrown into the ring at least once. In the end, they settled on something a bit more clunky, but it gets the job done—though they could’ve saved us a few syllables.
AirPods 4 with ANC: The Best of Both Worlds?
The AirPods 4 with ANC (which, for the sake of brevity, I’ll refer to as AP4wANC from here on) find themselves in an interesting middle ground. If they had launched last year, Apple might have branded them as the AirPods 5. But in 2024, they slot neatly between the base AirPods 4 and the AirPods Pro, offering a unique balance of features and price.
Visually, they’re nearly identical to the base AirPods 4, sporting the same sleek new redesign. Both models come with a compact, square-shaped charging case that feels more ergonomic and streamlined than its predecessor. According to Apple, they scanned thousands of ears to generate 50 million data points to craft a more tapered, snug fit. The result? A pair of earbuds that feel more comfortable and secure.
However, it’s under the hood where the AP4wANC start to pull ahead. They borrow some of the most popular features from the Pro lineup, such as wireless charging, a built-in speaker for FindMy tracking, and, of course, active noise cancellation.
AP4wANC vs. AirPods Pro: Which Should You Choose?
If you’re on the fence about choosing the AP4wANC over the AirPods Pro 2, there are two key factors that might sway you: price and design.
First, there’s the price. At $179, the AP4wANC are $50 cheaper than the AirPods Pro. If you’re looking to save a bit of cash, the decision may already be made. But the second factor—design—is a bit more subjective. The AP4wANC retain the hard plastic, open-ear design of the base AirPods 4, while the AirPods Pro come with swappable silicone tips that create a tight, in-ear seal.
Personally, I prefer the Pro’s silicone tips. They create a more immersive listening experience by passively blocking out background noise, and the added comfort is hard to beat. But not everyone feels the same. Some people can’t stand the sensation of having silicone tips inside their ears. If you fall into that camp, the AP4wANC are the better option—they deliver great sound and noise cancellation without the intrusion of silicone tips, and you’ll save $50 to boot.
What’s New in AP4wANC?
When Apple unveiled the AP4wANC, many of us in the tech world wondered how they would differentiate them from the AirPods Pro, especially since both models share the same H2 chip. It turns out, there are a few subtle—but important—differences.
The AirPods Pro still have the edge in terms of noise cancellation, thanks to their tight in-ear seal and silicone tips. They also offer swipeable volume controls on the stem and slightly better battery life. For some, these features alone justify the extra $50.
That said, the AP4wANC hold their own. They deliver impressive ANC performance, especially for an open-ear design. I tested them on a recent flight, and they did a solid job of drowning out the hum of the plane. However, on a noisy train ride, I found myself longing for the Pro’s superior noise isolation—particularly when a fellow passenger started talking loudly on her phone a few rows away.
A Fascinating Future for AirPods
As Apple continues to innovate, the gap between AirPods models could become even more pronounced. Just last week, the FDA approved a new software feature that allows the AirPods Pro 2 to double as over-the-counter hearing aids. This is a bold and exciting development for Apple, and it could open up a whole new market for their premium earbuds.
For now, though, the hearing aid functionality is exclusive to the AirPods Pro 2, for two key reasons: First, the passive noise-cancelling properties of the silicone tips are crucial for taking advantage of iOS 18’s hearing test feature, which rules out the standard AirPods 4. Second, the H2 chip is required, leaving older models like the original AirPods Pro out of the running.
Final Thoughts: Are AP4wANC Worth It?
The fully wireless earbud market has evolved drastically since the first AirPods debuted in September 2016. While the competition has ramped up—with every major electronics brand launching their own Bluetooth earbuds—Apple remains the gold standard in many ways. Whether you’re a podcast junkie or an audiobook aficionado, the AP4wANC offer excellent sound quality and a comfortable fit.
Of course, they’re not perfect. If you’re looking for the ultimate noise-cancelling experience, you might want to spring for the AirPods Pro. But if you prefer an open-ear design and want to save some money, the AP4wANC are an excellent middle ground.
At the end of the day, AirPods are still the real deal. They continue to set the bar for wireless earbuds, and they fit seamlessly into Apple’s ecosystem. For $50 more than the standard AirPods 4, the AP4wANC deliver solid ANC, great sound, and all the premium features that make AirPods a household name.
