The AirPods 4 are overdue, as it’s been over two years since the AirPods 3 were released in October 2021. Despite the growing competition, Apple hasn’t officially announced when the AirPods 4 will be available. However, it’s expected that they will be released by the end of 2024. While Apple didn’t mention the AirPods 4 during their WWDC 2024 event in June, they did reveal five new features for the AirPods Pro 2 that could also come to the AirPods 4, especially if they share the same H2 chip.
The AirPods 3 launched at $179/£169, and it’s likely that the AirPods 4 will have a similar price. However, rumors suggest that Apple might release two versions: a standard AirPods 4 and a cheaper, simpler version, possibly called the AirPods Lite. The Lite version might lack some premium features like noise cancellation and a Find My-enabled case, which the regular version is expected to have.
Apple’s typical release pattern has seen new AirPods models every few years, with the AirPods 3 launching in October 2021. Based on this, the AirPods 4 should have been released in early 2024. Bloomberg analyst Mark Gurman believes that the AirPods 4 will arrive later in 2024, possibly in September or October, though there might be delays pushing the launch to early 2025.
Design-wise, the AirPods 4 are expected to blend the styles of the AirPods 3 and AirPods Pro 2. While they probably won’t introduce a revolutionary new look, they may refine the existing design. The AirPods 4 will likely only come in white, as with previous models. Unfortunately, it’s unlikely that Apple will add changeable ear tips, a feature currently exclusive to the Pro series, meaning that the AirPods 4 might not have active noise cancellation.
Some features like touch controls for on-bud volume adjustments, which are present on the AirPods Pro 2, could be added to the AirPods 4. Apple might also switch the charging case to USB-C, aligning with the EU’s ruling on standardizing ports and Apple’s recent move to USB-C for its flagship devices, including the iPhone 15 series.
In terms of sound quality, the AirPods 4 could see improvements, possibly through enhancements to Adaptive EQ or the inclusion of the H2 chip, which is currently in the AirPods Pro 2. This chip could also help with better battery life, as it’s more efficient than the H1 chip in the AirPods 3. While the AirPods Pro will remain the top choice for audiophiles, Apple will need to ensure that the AirPods 4 stay competitive, especially against other wireless earbuds like the Sony WF-C700N, which is affordable and has better sound.
If Apple releases a cheaper version of the AirPods 4, it’s likely that some premium features, such as ear detection and support for Spatial Audio, would be cut from the budget model.
Overall, the AirPods 4 are expected to include several upgrades, including better battery life and possibly features like Find My alerts in the charging case. The H2 chip would likely provide more efficient performance and better audio quality, though it’s unclear how much impact it would have without active noise cancellation. As we wait for an official announcement, it’s likely that the AirPods 4 will follow Apple’s trend of gradually improving their products rather than making drastic changes.
