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In this Apple AirPods 4 ANC review, we are going to answer the biggest question on everyone’s mind: Can a pair of headphones without silicone ear tips actually block out noise? For years, if you wanted silence on a flight or the Metro, you were forced to buy the AirPods Pro. But many people hate the feeling of silicone tips jammed into their ear canals.
Enter the Apple AirPods 4 with Active Noise Cancellation. It promises the best of both worlds: the “invisible” comfort of the classic AirPods and the silence of the Pro models. But does it actually work in the noisy streets of Dubai? Our comprehensive Apple AirPods 4 ANC review breaks down the sound, the specs, and the verdict.
1. The Design: Open-Ear Comfort
The first thing to note in any Apple AirPods 4 ANC review is the fit. Apple used advanced 3D modeling of thousands of ears to refine the shape. The result is a bud that sits more securely than the old AirPods 3 but applies zero pressure to your ear canal.
If you are someone who gets ear fatigue after wearing headphones for an hour, these are a dream. You can wear them for 4-5 hours and genuinely forget they are there. This “Open-Ear” design allows your ears to breathe, making them perfect for all-day wear in the UAE heat.
2. Active Noise Cancellation: Does It Work?
This is the headline feature. How can “Open-Ear” headphones cancel noise? The answer lies in the H2 Chip. This is the same powerful processor found in the AirPods Pro 2.
In our testing for this Apple AirPods 4 ANC review, the results were surprising.
- Low Frequencies: It does an incredible job of deleting the hum of AC units and airplane engines.
- Voices: It muffles nearby conversations significantly, though not as completely as the sealed AirPods Pro.
- Transparency Mode: Because of the open design, the Transparency mode is arguably the most natural we have ever heard. It feels like you aren’t wearing headphones at all.
3. Sound Quality & H2 Chip Performance
The H2 Chip doesn’t just handle noise; it reshapes the audio. The AirPods 4 feature a new acoustic architecture with a low-distortion driver.
- Bass: The bass is punchier and deeper than the AirPods 3.
- Adaptive Audio: This feature automatically blends Transparency and ANC based on your environment. If you walk from a quiet office onto a loud street, the headphones smoothly adjust the noise control without you touching a button.
- Conversation Awareness: If you start speaking to a barista, the headphones automatically lower the volume and enhance the voice in front of you.
4. The Charging Case: Small but Mighty
The new USB-C charging case is the smallest Apple has ever made. It fits into the coin pocket of your jeans. However, unlike the cheaper “Standard” AirPods 4, the ANC model comes with a premium case that features:
- Wireless Charging: Works with Apple Watch chargers and Qi pads.
- Find My Speaker: The case has a built-in speaker to play a sound if you lose it in the sofa cushions.
5. Battery Life: The Trade-Off
If there is one downside to mention in this Apple AirPods 4 ANC review, it is the battery. Because the H2 chip is working hard to cancel noise without a seal, the battery life is rated at 4 hours with ANC on (or 5 hours with it off). While the case provides up to 30 hours of total listening time, the 4-hour single-use limit means you might need a quick recharge during a long international flight.
Comparison: AirPods 4 ANC vs. AirPods Pro 2
Should you save money or go Pro?
- Buy AirPods 4 ANC if: You hate silicone ear tips and want maximum comfort for daily use.
- Buy AirPods Pro 2 if: You need absolute silence (100% isolation) and don’t mind the “plugged” feeling in your ears.
Pros and Cons
To keep this Apple AirPods 4 ANC review balanced, here are the highs and lows.
Conclusion: The Best “Everyday” Headphones?
To conclude our Apple AirPods 4 ANC review, these are the new default recommendation for most iPhone users. They offer 80% of the Pro features with 100% better comfort. If you want high-end features like Personalized Spatial Audio and Noise Cancellation but refuse to wear in-ear silicone tips, the AirPods 4 ANC are in a league of their own.
