Apple's fourth-generation AirPods include optional ANC, borrowing from the AirPods Pro line. Here's how its specifications line up against the AirPods 3.

The AirPods 4 are yet to be released, but you can preorder a pair from the Apple Store where you'll find two price points. There's the base model, equipped with Spatial Audio, for $129. Then, there's the $179 version, which include ANC and a wireless charging case.

With Active Noise Cancellation enabled, though, AirPods 4 quoted battery life drops to just 4 hours of listening on a single charge. That is a significant difference to AirPods Pro, which can last for up to 6 hours of listening time with noise cancellation active.

The new AirPods 4 come in two models with different features, which may draw some users away from AirPods Pro 2. Here's how they compare.

Apple today released a new firmware update for all AirPods Pro 2 and AirPods 4 models. The AirPods Pro 2 firmware has a build number of 7A302,

The AirPods 4 are the cheapest models in Apple's headphones range. The base AirPods 4 (without ANC) will cost £129 / $129, while the AirPods 4 with ANC is yours for £179 / $179. They will be globally available from 20th September.

The iOS18 firmware update adds voice isolation and personalized volume, plus you can now tell Siri yes or no without uttering a sound.

The entry-level AirPods 4 costs £129, while the AirPods 4 with active noise cancellation costs £179. Those are the same prices as the AirPods 2 and AirPods 3. The AirPods Pro 2, however, cost £229, but we frequently see them on sale for less than £200, and they fell to just £179 during Amazon Prime Day.

Discover the new, budget-friendly Apple AirPods 4 and learn which model is best suited to meet your audio needs.

The AirPods 3 are going out of date now, and they're currently reduced at Amazon — but you shouldn't buy a pair.