Apple AirPods 4 ANC Review – The Better Option

We recently took a deep dive into the AirPods 4, and we didn’t hold back on pointing out areas where it fell short, especially those we hoped would be addressed with the AirPods 4 ANC. Now, with the AirPods 4 ANC in hand—and in ear—I’ve given it a solid couple of weeks to see how it stacks up. So, does it solve the issues of its non-ANC sibling? Let’s jump in and find out.

Unboxing the Apple AirPods 4 ANC

While the packaging may seem nearly identical at first glance, there are two standout differences between the AirPods 4 ANC and its non-ANC counterpart. First, the bold “AirPods Active Noise Cancellation” branding on the top of the box makes it clear what’s inside.

The second difference? The front image. The AirPods 4 box shows the earbuds almost awkwardly turned away from each other, like they’ve had a little spat. On the AirPods 4 ANC box, however, they’re positioned with one earbud seemingly “talking” to the other, which looks like it’s listening attentively—maybe even apologetically. It’s a fun little design choice that adds some personality. Guess at least we’re “listening” now? Pun deeply and heavily intended.

Well, I had one chance at it, and I had to take it! 😆

Now that we have lightened up the mood a bit, lets dig into what we get in the package:

• Charging Case (USB-C)
• Documentations
• The Apple AirPods 4 ANC themselves

Once again, no Apple stickers. This has been a recurring trend with recent Apple products, and I’ll keep calling it out—probably until my son grows up. Every time I unbox a new Apple device, I’m met with his disappointment over the missing stickers, especially since he loved the black ones that came with my MacBook Pro M3 a while back. That might’ve been the last time Apple included them. It’s a small touch, but it meant a lot, and I know he’s not the only one who misses them.

Specifications

Drivers	– Custom high-excursion Apple driver – Custom high dynamic range amplifier – Vent system for pressure equalization – Personalized Spatial Audio with dynamic head tracking – Adaptive EQ
Microphone	– Dual beamforming low noise distortion microphones – Inward-facing low noise distortion microphone – Voice Isolation
Frequency Response	20Hz – 20,000Hz (44.1kHz Sampling)
Headphone type	Semi in-ear
Connector	Wired USB-C Wireless Bluetooth 5.3
Chip	Apple H2 headphone chip
Noise-Cancelling	– Adaptive Audio – Active Noise Cancellation – Transparency
Battery	Earphones 5 hours without ANC 4 hours with ANC Charging Case 30 hours Wireless Charging Case featuring USB-C, Apple Watch charger, or Qi-certified chargers
Dimensions	Earphones 30.1 x 18.3 x 18.1 mm, 4.3g x 2 Charging Case 46.2 x 50.1 x 21.2 mm, 34.7g
Colour	White
Ingress Protection	IP54

Microphone Test

AirPods 4 ANC test without background noise:

AirPods 4 ANC test with background noise:

The raw audio on the AirPods 4 ANC feels processed with a fair amount of compression and depth—nothing exceptional here. If I compare them to my daily go-tos, the B&O Beoplay EX, the difference in sound quality is stark. The Beoplay EX offers a far richer audio experience, but let’s not forget the huge price gap between the two. So, are we really here to compare? Well… maybe.

In a noisy environment, however, the AirPods 4 ANC genuinely surprised me. The audio might have a slightly processed quality in quieter settings, but these little earbuds pull off some serious noise isolation when things get loud. For instance, while I was playing a sample track (bonus points if you can guess what it is), the background noise—courtesy of two fully cranked-up Apple HomePods right in front of me—was barely noticeable.

Another example? During Deepavali, while talking to my dad outside with loud fireworks going off, I paused, assuming he’d hear the thunderous noise too. But when I asked if he noticed the fireworks, he replied, “What fireworks?” So while the microphone itself might be standard, the noise isolation on the AirPods 4 ANC is on another level. I honestly haven’t seen any other IEM pull off this kind of background noise cancellation.

The Good

Though we’ve already discussed the microphone, it really deserves a spotlight here. The AirPods 4 ANC’s microphone performs exceptionally well in noisy environments—so much so that, if I turn off Active Noise Cancellation, I end up hearing more background noise than the person I’m talking to! This level of noise isolation for outgoing audio is truly groundbreaking. It’s rare to find an IEM that filters out background noise this effectively, keeping your voice crisp and clear, no matter how chaotic the environment around you gets.

Now onto the main attraction: the ANC, or Active Noise Cancellation, feature. The AirPods 4 ANC offers four modes for this function, giving flexibility based on what you need at the moment:

1. Off Mode: As the name suggests, ANC is completely turned off, so the AirPods act as regular earphones.
2. Transparency Mode: Here, Apple reverses the noise cancellation to amplify ambient sounds, allowing for better situational awareness when you’re on the go.
3. Noise Cancellation Mode: This is the traditional ANC that blocks out background noise, which I showcased earlier.
4. Adaptive Audio Mode: This mode is particularly unique, automatically switching between Noise Cancellation and Transparency depending on your surroundings. Classic Apple—automating what they can to adapt to user needs without manual toggling.

But Apple’s ANC system takes it a step further with Conversation Awareness. If the AirPods detect that you’re speaking, they instantly lower your background audio, then bring it back up once you’re done. This feature works impressively fast and is a lifesaver for moments when you need to quickly engage in conversation without needing to reach for your device. It’s a smooth and seamless experience that enhances both practicality and convenience.

The AirPods 4 ANC come equipped with a force sensor on the stem, allowing for intuitive controls. Instead of touch responsiveness like on typical IEMs, these respond to a squeeze on the stem, creating that satisfying “Apple Haptic” feedback with each press.

Here’s how the controls break down:

• Single Press: Answer a call, mute/unmute, play or pause media.
• Double Press: End a call or skip forward.
• Triple Press: Skip backward.
• Long Press: Activate Siri for hands-free interaction.

Apple offers the option to assign different functions to each earbud or keep them the same, so you can customize controls to suit your preferences. This tactile approach gives a more deliberate feel to each action, reducing accidental taps and ensuring you’re in control.

Speaking of Siri, the AirPods 4 ANC introduce some really cool features during incoming calls. You can accept a call by simply nodding your head or reject it with a shake, thanks to Siri’s integration with motion detection. It’s a neat little touch that makes hands-free use even easier.

Siri also has the ability to read out notifications, texts, and other alerts, but for me, I tend to keep this feature disabled. While it sounds convenient, Siri struggles with understanding shorthand messages or local language pronunciations, which are frequent in my case. Maybe with future updates from Apple Intelligence, this could improve, but for now, I prefer to handle notifications myself. It’s a small issue, but one worth mentioning for users who rely on more nuanced or diverse communication styles.

Let’s shift into the charging case, which has seen a welcome redesign compared to the previous generation. For starters, it’s smaller, which makes it more pocket-friendly, and I’m all for that. Another neat touch is the hidden LED indicator, which only shines through when the case is opened. It’s a subtle yet effective addition.

Charging is now handled via USB-C, which, honestly, is highly appreciated. The days of hunting for Lightning cables might soon be over. The back button that used to be there has been removed, and instead, there’s a new method of pairing: a double tap on the front façade near the LED. This same double tap, done three times in a row, now initiates a reset, which is much more intuitive.

For those who might misplace their case, Apple has included a speaker at the bottom for the FindMy feature, which makes locating your case easier with proximity view. And yes, the case is IP54 certified, so it’s resistant to dust, sweat, and light splashes of water – making it even more durable for daily use. Overall, the charging case has received some thoughtful upgrades that enhance both functionality and ease of use.

The battery life on the AirPods 4 ANC is impressive. During my tests, I managed to get around 5 hours and 25 minutes of continuous playback on a single charge without ANC enabled. With ANC on, it dropped slightly, but I still got nearly 5 hours, which is pretty solid. Honestly, I wasn’t expecting such a long battery life, especially since I don’t usually wear my earphones for extended periods. Whenever I’m not using them, I have a habit of putting them back into the case for a recharge.

A quick 5-minute charge in the case gives you another hour of listening time, and the case itself can fully charge the AirPods up to 4 times. This results in an overall fantastic battery performance. For instance, I used them for about 2 weeks and didn’t need to charge the case once. The case also charges incredibly quickly — I’d plug it in, go for lunch, and by the time I came back, it would be fully charged again. So, if you’re someone who forgets to charge often, the AirPods 4 ANC and their charging case will have your back.

One of the standout features of the AirPods 4 ANC is definitely the Find My integration. Given how easy it is to misplace these compact earbuds, having a reliable way to locate them brings a lot of peace of mind. You can use the Find My app across any Apple device, like your iPhone, iPad, Apple Watch, or MacBook, or even access it through iCloud. Once activated, the AirPods play a sound to help you track them down, which will continue for a few minutes or until you manually stop it. And, like the AirPods Pro 2, the AirPods 4 ANC case itself can also play a sound—a feature that’s incredibly handy if the entire thing goes missing. Even better, if the earbuds or the case aren’t connected to your device or Find My isn’t enabled, they’ll emit the sound as soon as they reconnect to Wi-Fi or cellular. This small feature adds a huge value, particularly if you’re prone to misplacing your gear.

The Bad

I’ll be honest, the shape of the AirPods 4 ANC isn’t really my style. I tend to prefer earphones with sponge or silicone buds that grip better, especially during physical activities. When I’m on the move and sweating, I’ve noticed the AirPods tend to slide out, and I find myself constantly popping them back in. That’s not the most annoying part though. The real issue is when I’m trying to adjust them, I accidentally press them, which triggers the play/pause function — not ideal when you’re not trying to skip tracks or pause your music mid-workout.

This is one of the main reasons why I usually reach for my B&O Beoplay EX as my daily driver. They offer a better fit and a more secure grip, making them more reliable for extended use and intense activities. The AirPods 4 ANC are great, but for someone like me, the fit isn’t as secure as I’d like it to be.

Just like the regular AirPods 4, the AirPods 4 ANC also misses the option to adjust the volume directly from the earphones. That means, if you want to change the volume, you’ll have to pull out your phone or use the crown on your Apple Watch to adjust it. Sure, you can always ask Siri, but let’s be honest — there are moments when you just can’t call out to Siri, especially for something simple as altering the volume. It’s a bit puzzling that Apple hasn’t added this feature, especially since it would be so easy to incorporate into the AirPods settings. A simple press or touch customization could’ve solved this issue, allowing users to adjust volume on the fly without needing to interrupt their music or activity.

Unlike most of Apple’s products, the AirPods 4 ANC doesn’t offer any in-depth usage statistics, especially when it comes to battery life. While this isn’t necessarily a dealbreaker, it is a bit of a missed opportunity, particularly when you consider that AirPods 4 ANC could be a solid option for people with hearing disabilities. Apple has been heavily investing in health-related features across its products, so it only makes sense that they could extend this to hearing aids or devices with hearing aid-like capabilities. Given that these AirPods have the potential to be used for long hours, especially as hearing aids, having listening statistics — like battery usage or perhaps sound levels over time — would be extremely valuable. I’m not saying that the AirPods 4 ANC are marketed as hearing aids, but they have the potential to serve in that role, and adding analytics would make them even more user-friendly for such a purpose.

The new compact and rounded design of the AirPods 4 ANC case certainly has its perks. Its smaller profile is chic and easy to slip into pockets or bags. However, I can’t help but feel slightly irked by one design choice — it doesn’t stand upright. Instead, it lies flat, which means it takes up more table space when I leave it on my desk. And if it could stand upright, it would be so much easier and more intuitive to open the lid and pop the buds back inside, possibly even singlehandedly. I know it’s a small thing, but it’s the kind of detail that bugs me more than it probably should.

And here’s where things get frustrating. For a device that’s meant to be portable, the AirPods 4 ANC case is surprisingly prone to scratches. I’ve only had it a couple of weeks, and already, the case is starting to show wear from just sitting in my bag alongside my everyday gear. This is disappointing, considering Apple’s focus on making the AirPods line pocketable and travel-friendly.

Take my B&O Beoplay EX case, for instance. After nearly two years of use, it’s still scratch-free, while the AirPods 4 ANC case, after just a short stint, is looking rough. I can’t imagine how much worse it’ll look after a year. Apple might want to consider a more durable, scratch-resistant material for the next generation.

AirPods 4 ANC Verdict

The AirPods 4 ANC fills in every gap that was left by its non-ANC counterpart, making it a much more compelling choice in the Apple audio lineup. For an additional RM220, bringing the price to RM829, the extra features make it well worth the jump in cost. With Active Noise Cancellation, Adaptive Audio, and seamless integration across Apple devices, it’s ideal for those fully immersed in the Apple ecosystem. While it doesn’t claim audiophile-level sound quality, it shines as a practical, everyday accessory—especially for hands-free calls and on-the-go convenience. With all of these upgrades and usability factors, the AirPods 4 ANC is a standout, earning it the Pokdeward Gold.