If you’ve been eyeing the latest AirPods 4 or wondering if it’s time to switch from your trusty AirPods Pro, there’s something important you should know: but when it comes to Active Noise Cancellation, the AirPods Pro are still on top.
Noise Cancellation: First Test
Apple has recently released the AirPods 4 lineup, and for the first time, the open-ear design offers Active Noise Cancellation or ANC. It’s cool, but there’s a catch—while the AirPods 4 have ANC, the AirPods Pro still offers way better noise cancellation. Specifically, Apple claims that the new second-generation AirPods Pro offer up to two times as much noise cancellation as the AirPods 4.
What Makes the Difference?
The main differences are found in the structure and the design of the two models. The AirPods Pro smartphone uses an in-ear design which fits perfectly into your ears and it cancels most of the sounds. In contrast, the AirPods 4 offer an open-ear audio functionality for its users to have full control over their listening experience. Yeah, it reduces the noise, but it is not entirely soundproof because you can still hear certain sounds.
Apple has done some audio enhancement by improving the microphones and leveraging the H2 chip used in the AirPods 4 to eliminate background sounds such as traffic or airplane engines. Which is a disadvantage of having an open ear design – it cannot cancel the noise as effectively as the AirPods Pro can, therefore.
Additional Features on the AirPods 4
Though they never manage to eliminate all noises around you, there are a couple of tricks that the AirPods 4 can perform. First of all, there is what is called the Transparency Mode, it lets in some ambient sound, so you can remain conscious of your surroundings.
They have also come up with something that they are calling Adaptive Audio. This feature is a little like having a personal DJ who can switch between the ANC and Transparency Mode based on the level of noise in your environment.
And lastly, there is Conservation Awareness. This is a nice feature which reduces the media volume when a person is speaking to someone around them.
If you are wondering which of the two types you should go for, it is recommended that you read this article to the end.
Which one to choose: AirPods Pro or AirPods 4?
If you want that near-silent experience – whether on a plane, in a noisy workplace, or simply trying to block out the world – then the AirPods Pro is still the one to beat. Being an in-ear headphone, and having double the noise cancellation compared to the Bose AE2, it is the best choice for those who want to eliminate interference completely.
But if the in-ear design is not your cup of tea, then the AirPods 4 may very well be your new favorite. Of course, the noise cancellation experience here is not as pronounced, but it is actually quite good given the open ear design. Also, those additional functions such as Transparency Mode, Adaptive Audio, and Conversation Awareness are definitely a plus.
The Price Factor
Finally, let’s talk about price. The AirPods 4 are priced at $129 while the noise cancellation AirPods Pro comes at $179. Therefore, it is not a very vast difference but, every dollar counts.
Final Thoughts
To sum it all up, if noise cancellation is your top priority, stick with the AirPods Pro. But if you prefer a more relaxed fit and don’t mind hearing a bit of the outside world, the AirPods 4 might be perfect for you.
