Apple’s AirPods 4 are the latest take on the classic white earbuds, designed as an easy, everyday option for iPhone, iPad, Mac and Apple Watch owners. They focus on comfort, better sound and slick integration with Apple devices rather than packing in every pro feature.
At this price they sit in the mid-range of true wireless earbuds, undercutting Apple’s Pro models but offering more polish than basic budget options. A redesigned fit, upgraded H2 chip and USB-C charging make them feel very current.
With a 4.8 out of 5 rating from well over 600 reviews, they’re clearly going down well with real-world users, especially those already invested in the Apple ecosystem.
AirPods 4 are ideal for Apple users who want a simple, reliable pair of wireless earbuds that just work across iPhone, iPad, Mac and Apple Watch. If you like the idea of opening the case and being instantly connected, these are built for you.
They suit commuters, office workers and students who listen for a few hours at a time, take regular calls and want something light and comfortable they can wear most of the day. The updated shape and in-ear design aim to give you a more secure fit for walking, travelling and general use.
With IP54 water resistance and a “sports headphones” tag, they’re also a sensible pick for gym sessions and runs, as long as you’re not after ultra-rugged, fully waterproof buds. Sweat and light rain should not be a problem.
If you’re a serious audiophile, or you specifically want advanced features like full-fat active noise cancellation or custom EQ tinkering, you may prefer to look at AirPods Pro or specialist audio brands. But for most Apple users who want a balanced mix of convenience, sound quality and smart features, AirPods 4 hit a very comfortable sweet spot.
The H2 headphone chip is the star of the show, improving both sound and call quality while keeping connections solid. Music and podcasts sound cleaner and more detailed than older, entry-level AirPods, and voices on calls come through clearly.
Personalised Spatial Audio with dynamic head tracking creates a more immersive experience when watching compatible films or listening to supported music. It makes content feel as though it’s coming from around you rather than directly from the earbuds.
All-day comfort has been a focus, with the AirPods 4 redesigned for greater stability in the ear. That matters if you wear them for long workdays or commutes, as they’re less likely to loosen or become irritating.
Battery life is respectable: up to 5 hours of listening on a single charge, and up to 30 hours with the USB-C charging case. A quick 25-minute top-up is handy when you’re heading out the door.
Tight integration with Apple devices is excellent. You can just say “Siri” or “Hey Siri” for hands-free control, use Find My to track the earbuds and case, and benefit from Adaptive EQ automatically tuning the sound to your ear shape.
There is no mention of full active noise cancellation on this standard AirPods 4 model, which may disappoint if you regularly travel on noisy trains or planes and want maximum isolation.
Battery life of 5 hours per charge is good but not exceptional in a market where some rivals push noticeably higher, especially if you often listen for very long stretches.
The IP54 rating is welcome, but these are still not fully waterproof. They’re fine for sweat and showers of rain, but swimmers or those wanting something ultra-tough will need a more specialised pair.
The warranty is a standard 1 year, which feels a little short for something at this price point, especially as rival brands sometimes offer longer cover on premium earbuds.
Day to day, AirPods 4 are all about ease and comfort. The true wireless design and compact case slip easily into a pocket or small bag, and the revised in-ear fit gives a more secure feel without needing bulky ear hooks.
Pairing with Apple devices is straightforward: open the case near your iPhone or iPad and you’re guided through setup. After that, they switch between your Apple devices automatically, which is a real time-saver if you’re moving from a Mac to an iPhone or iPad regularly.
The force sensor stems make controls intuitive. A quick squeeze lets you handle playback and calls, while built-in volume control means you don’t need to reach for your phone as often. Tap and voice controls via Siri add another layer of convenience when your hands are busy.
Water and dust resistance to IP54 makes them comfortable to use on the go, even in light rain or during a workout, without feeling like you need to baby them. The Find My support adds reassurance: if you misplace an earbud or the case at home or on your commute, you can quickly track it down.
Charging is simple through the USB-C case, aligning neatly with Apple’s latest chargers and laptops. The fast top-up capability means a quick charge gives you enough listening time for a commute or gym session without having to fully recharge the case.
In terms of audio performance, AirPods 4 are a solid step up from Apple’s more basic earbuds. The H2 chip and dual internal speakers are designed to deliver cleaner highs, fuller mids and more controlled bass, while Adaptive EQ automatically tweaks the sound based on how the earbud sits in your ear. For most listeners, that means consistent, enjoyable sound without needing manual adjustments.
Personalised Spatial Audio is a key feature if you watch a lot of films or stream music with supported tracks. By using an iPhone with a TrueDepth camera to map your ears, it can position audio in a more three-dimensional way, especially effective with dynamic head tracking enabled.
Call quality benefits from the on-board microphones and processing. Voice Isolation support on compatible Apple devices helps reduce background noise so the person on the other end hears you more clearly, making these a strong choice for work calls and video chats.
On the smart side, AirPods 4 are tightly woven into Apple’s ecosystem. You get hands-free “Siri” activation, quick access to your schedule or messages, and seamless switching between iPhone, iPad, Mac and Apple Watch, provided they’re on current software. The Find My network support means both the AirPods and the charging case show up in the app, reducing the risk of losing them for good.
The USB-C charging case is more than 10% smaller by volume than the previous generation, making it genuinely pocket-friendly. Battery performance of up to 5 hours of listening, 4.5 hours of talk time and a total of up to 30 hours listening with the case is competitive, if not class-leading, and the 25-minute charge time to get meaningful playback is very convenient.
While they don’t advertise full-blown noise cancelling, the in-ear design, improved fit and software processing still help reduce some environmental noise. Combined with their water resistance, that makes them versatile for both indoor and outdoor use, though frequent flyers might still prefer a dedicated ANC model.
At around £99, AirPods 4 sit as a mid-range option in the true wireless market and a more affordable route into Apple’s latest tech than the Pro line. You’re paying a little extra over budget earbuds for the H2 chip, Spatial Audio, deep Apple integration and polished user experience.
When you factor in the strong 4.8 out of 5 user rating from hundreds of reviews, they look like a sound investment for Apple users. The feature set is modern, the case uses the current USB-C standard and Find My protection adds long-term peace of mind.
If you’re platform-agnostic or want the absolute maximum battery life for the least money, there are cheaper non-Apple alternatives. But for those already using iPhone, iPad or Mac daily, the combination of convenience, performance and reliability makes the price very reasonable.
Apple AirPods 4 are a polished, well-rounded pair of true wireless earbuds that make the most sense for people living in the Apple world. They blend improved sound, clever Spatial Audio tricks and excellent Siri integration with a more secure, all-day comfortable fit.
They’re not the choice for travellers who demand full active noise cancellation, nor for audiophiles who want to tweak every last sound setting. Battery life, while good, doesn’t break any records either. But for day-to-day listening, calls and videos, they’re easy to live with and very dependable.
If you want a straightforward upgrade from older AirPods, or you’re buying your first set of wireless earbuds to go with an iPhone, AirPods 4 are a highly recommended option that balance features, quality and price very effectively.
