Not long after its September announcement, I got my hands on some entry-level Apple AirPods 4. To clarify, I didn't get the ANC-enhanced set (that would be the Apple AirPods 4 with active noise cancellation), but someone did give me a pair of Apple's latest entry-level options.
I linked our full review in the paragraph above, but my encapsulated review is this: Using my iPhone and Apple Music for Apple's custom spatial audio (you can turn it on or off in the iPhone settings, via the AirPods tab) is very fun. . Chappell Roan's opens pink pony club like you wouldn't believe, making it feel like the keys are under my chin as Roan snakes between each ear. Unfortunately, to achieve this effect you have to pay a high price: the detail. The AirPods 4's performance often feels bloated in the mids, a little flat dynamically, and occasionally too warm to be considered good.
However, as any listener (or reader) who uses an AirPods and iPhone combo knows, sound is only part of the story. They pair perfectly with my Apple phone with a pop-up window as soon as I open the case. They pause the music when I remove a button and I actually quite like the new gesture controls, although you have to be quite pronounced with your movements (and I used to be a dancer, I know about pronounced movements).
I also like that although there is no ANC, the Custom Volume implementation adjusts the volume of my songs according to the noise in my immediate surroundings. And while the on-ear controls aren't exactly comprehensive (I have a hard time altering the volume by stroking the stems, no matter how hard I try), you can modify how you answer calls.
But it's not one of these ease-of-use advantages that makes me choose them over the selection of other headphones on my desk, just before I leave the house.
When space is at a premium, small is beautiful
Don't get me wrong, I don't think this earbud design makes the AirPods 4 as good a choice as some of the best headphones for small ears, although I do like the fact that there are no ear pads; They either fit or they don't. This is Apple's newest “open ear” setting based on a batch of ear mapping research. For me they are a little flatter, wider and more difficult to fit comfortably, but this is a personal issue.
What is beautifully small is the case, which carries over to the packaging. And it's very easy to underestimate how much I want that. I think we all do it. Mainly, we want headphones that offer some degree of comfort, a reliable connection, and a super small but sturdy case that we can put in our jeans pocket. and readyYou have the key to the success of the AirPods 4.
I can't tell you how many times over the past four months my hand has landed on bigger, better, more expensive headphones on my test table. Then, as my brain considered which jacket I'm wearing or the smallest bag I'm hoping to get away with today, that same hand grabbed the AirPods 4.
I tried to place the case and packaging next to the AirPods Pro 2 for scale throughout this article, but it's still hard to explain until you've held the AirPods 4 in your hand. A case this size is like a box of dental floss; You really should take it with you: it's good for you and barely takes up any space.
So, despite the noticeable loss of detail in the audio tracks, I like the AirPods 4. They are so nice to use and inconsequential when put in a pocket! Okay, so they don't feature in my best headphone buying guide due to the richer feature sets, better device-agnostic support, and inclusion of active noise cancellation that other manufacturers offer for the same money. But that doesn't mean I can't praise Apple for the gem design here, which I honestly hope other brands try to emulate. (Then again, this is Apple, so they usually do this…)