# AirPods 4 Review: Intelligent Features, Affordable Price
Apple’s AirPods have transformed into a cultural phenomenon, advancing from a product that faced ridicule for its design to one of the most cherished and recognizable wireless earbuds available. With the launch of the **AirPods 4**, Apple continues to enhance its offering, presenting a more ergonomic fit, better portability, and superior audio quality—all at a fairly reasonable price. In this review, we will examine the essential features, design modifications, and performance of the AirPods 4, and evaluate how they compare to the competition.
## **Design: Increased Portability and Comfort**
A major change in the AirPods 4 is their design. While they maintain the classic white stem associated with AirPods, the stem is now shorter, and the earbuds have been re-shaped. Apple claims this new design results from extensive ear scans, aimed at providing a fit compatible with a variety of ear shapes and sizes.
### **Comfort and Fit**
The **AirPods 4** are crafted for enhanced comfort during prolonged usage. In my experience, they fit snugly in my ears and remained comfortable for extended periods. However, since they don’t form a complete seal in the ear canal like the AirPods Pro, they might shift or even come loose during vigorous activities, such as running or intense workouts. For users in need of a more secure fit for fitness, the **AirPods Pro** or other sport-oriented earbuds could be a more suitable choice.
### **Controls**
The AirPods 4 preserve the recognizable squeeze controls, which are user-friendly and responsive. Nonetheless, customization options are somewhat limited. While you can modify call controls, swipe controls for volume adjustment directly from the earbuds are absent, a feature available on the AirPods Pro. This is a minor drawback, but it is something to keep in mind for users who desire greater control over their audio experience.
### **Charging Case**
The charging case for the AirPods 4 has also undergone a redesign. It is now smaller and more pocket-friendly compared to previous versions, making it one of the most portable charging cases on the market. The case includes a **USB-C port** for charging, a much-appreciated update in keeping with Apple’s wider shift to USB-C across its devices.
However, there are some limitations. Unlike the **AirPods 4 with Active Noise Cancellation (ANC)**, the regular AirPods 4 case lacks **wireless charging** capabilities. This appears to be a missed opportunity, as many competitors in this price bracket provide wireless charging as a standard feature. Furthermore, the case does not come with built-in speakers for status alerts, though it does feature a discreet LED light on the front to show charging status. On a positive note, both the earbuds and case are **IP54 water-resistant**, providing some level of protection against sweat and light rain.
## **Audio Quality: Reliable Performance**
Regarding audio quality, the AirPods 4 provide a reliable performance. They showcase a balanced sound profile, with clear mids and highs, making them suitable for a variety of music genres. The bass response is adequate, though it may not be as pronounced as that found in earbuds with a more secure in-ear fitting, such as the **AirPods Pro**.
Although the AirPods 4 do not feature **Active Noise Cancellation (ANC)**, they perform reasonably well in terms of passive noise isolation, especially in quieter settings. However, for those who often find themselves in noisy environments, upgrading to the **AirPods 4 with ANC** might be advisable for a more immersive audio experience.
## **Battery Life: Limited but Sufficient**
Battery life is one area where the AirPods 4 do not excel in comparison to some of their rivals. The earbuds offer up to **5 hours of uninterrupted listening time**, which is less than many other wireless earbuds on the market. The charging case adds an additional **25 hours of battery life**, totaling **30 hours**. While 5 hours of continuous use should suffice for most users, it’s worth noting that many other earbuds provide longer battery life on a single charge.
The absence of **wireless charging** in the standard AirPods 4 case is another shortcoming. While it’s understandable that Apple aims to distinguish the standard model from the ANC version, wireless charging has become a prevalent feature in this price category, and its lack might disappoint some users.
## **Apple Ecosystem Features: Flawless Integration**
One of the main attractions of the AirPods 4 is their flawless integration with Apple’s ecosystem. Powered by the **H2 chip**, the AirPods 4 come equipped with a variety of smart features that make them an appealing choice for users of iPhone, iPad, and Mac.
### **Automatic Switching**
The **Automatic Switching** feature allows the AirPods to transition effortlessly between Apple devices. For instance, if you
