Apple Unveils AirPods 4, Slight Improvements Mark AirPods Max Upgrade
At today's Glowtime event, Apple bid farewell to the 2nd and 3rd generation AirPods and unveiled two new AirPods 4 models. Steering away from the in-ear design of its flagship Pro 2s, both new models boast an open-ear design, aligning with the EU's fresh universal charging standard with the inclusion of a Type-C port in the cases, replacing the previously used Lightning port.
Diving into the pricing spectrum, the high-end AirPods 4 retail for $180, while the base model costs $130. These new versions are now available for pre-order and will make their grand debut on September 20.
Spanning across the pricing spectrum, the $180 premium AirPods 4 are distinct from the base model with features such as active noise cancelation (ANC), a high-end charging case, and adaptive audio. The base model, on the other hand, sports an open-ear design, just like the premium variant, but without ANC. The H2 chip that powers the premium model also resides within the budget AirPods 4, making no major performance differences between the two, according to Apple. The company does, however, claims noticeable enhancements in audio quality across the AirPods 4 series.
The premium charging case for this model brings a few added perks, including support for Find My and a built-in speaker to issue alerts when you misplace it. Wireless charging is also a feature included on this premium case, allowing you to replenish it using any Apple Watch or Qi-certified charger.
Fresh colors (Midnight, Blue, Purple, Orange, and Starlight) and a switch to Type-C charging are the only notable updates for the four-year-old over-ear headphones, the AirPods Max, which maintain their hefty $550 price tag. Both are currently open for pre-order with an availability date scheduled for September 20.
Apple's renowned analyst, Ming-Chi Kuo, had hinted at the release of a budget-friendly AirPods Lite for $100, a notion echoed by Jeff Pu at 9to5Mac. However, Apple chose to remain mum about this possibility at the event. If these speculations are indeed accurate, we may see a budget version available towards the end of the year.
Rumors of a new iteration of the 2nd gen AirPods Pro with improved ANC and an upgraded design have circulated, with Apple insider Mark Gurman hinting at their potential launch "as early as next year."
[1] AirPods 4: Release Date, Prices, and Features[2] AirPods 4 vs AirPods Pro 2: A Comparative Analysis[3] The Inside Scoop on Apple’s latest AirPods 4 Models[4] AirPods 4: The Future of Wireless Earbuds?[5] The Unveiling of Apple’s New AirPods 4 Models and Their Impact on the Market
The new AirPods 4 align with the EU's universal charging standard, featuring a Type-C port in the cases instead of the previous Lightning port. The premium AirPods 4 retail for $180, offering features like active noise cancelation and a high-end charging case. Pre-orders for both models are currently available, with a release date set for September 20. According to 9to5Mac, there were rumors of a budget-friendly AirPods Lite, but Apple did not reveal any details about this at the event.
