The AirPods 4 feature a slightly revised form factor that makes for a more secure fit in your ears, improved sound quality thanks to revised acoustic architecture, and a new charging case with a USB-C port. The AirPods 4 run for up to five hours on a full charge, and the charging case brings that figure to 30 hours.
With Apple's H2 chip, iPhones running on iOS 18 can take advantage of numerous high-end features, including Adaptive Audio and Conversation Awareness modes.
The AirPods 4 without active noise cancellation are normally $50 less than the ANC model. At the moment, that gap is only $20, with the ANC model going for $139 and the base model without ANC at $119 (was $129).
ANC isn't the only major advantage between the two. The pricier model also benefits from an upgraded charging case with a built-in speaker and wireless Qi charging support.